Disturbed Mind (A Grace Ellery Romantic Suspense Series Book 2) Read Online Free PDF Page A

Grace’s older brother, which makes me think of Grace herself.
    I had talked to the Schneider boy and his friend when I first arrived in Murray, but the boy seemed to think Grace wasn’t going to come around to the house anymore. That was disappointing. Killing them both crossed my mind, but I didn’t want to kill for the sake of killing. That would dull the thrill of it all.
    Kayla : I miss you.
    Me : I miss you, too.
    Kayla : I love you.
    My fingertips linger over the keyboard. When has anyone ever said that to me? Has anyone ever said that to me? But it’s not even to me. It’s to Bryce.
    Me : Okay.
    The hotel phone rings, and I grab it. “Hello?”
    “Hey, Bryce, it’s Steve.”
    After I talked to the Schneider boy, his friend Kevin Deats came out of his house with his newest foster dog to take it for a walk. He greeted the boys and fell into a conversation with me when I asked about his dog. I was simply trying to be polite so that he wouldn’t think I was a crazy stranger preying after children, but he took my comment as a conversation-starter. He asked me to walk with him and I thought it wouldn’t help my facade to be rude by refusing. It quickly became clear that Kevin thought I was walking around knocking on doors trying to find whatever work I could. His pity was despicable and I wanted to tear out his throat for thinking I was so helpless, but I just smiled and pretended that he was right. After finding out that I could drive a truck, he steered me toward Steve Rolf's house, mentioning that in addition to running a general contracting business, Steve also offered landscaping and snowplowing services.
    I talked to Steve Rolf, who was honestly thrilled to be able to hire someone who spoke English and whose citizenship he likely didn't have to worry about. He liked the fact that I kept to myself and didn’t have the same bravado as the other men. I liked him because he didn’t ask me where I came from or anything about my past. He didn’t even ask if I had a criminal record. Since I only began working a few weeks ago and he is already trying to get me to be a project supervisor, I have a feeling that I am replacing some son he never had or a son that he did have and no longer visits him.
    “Hey, Steve,” I say. “I’m guessing there’s a job you want me to do if you’re calling at night.”
    “Yep,” he says. “A spring landscape cleanup and refresh. It will be a good starter job for you to tackle for your first project estimate and project planning effort. It will also be good for you to go solo on a client walk-through as long as you remember to focus on the customer, rather than all of the work that needs to be done. Do you think you can do that?”
    “Yes, absolutely,” I say.
    “Really? Because last time we were there you avoided Miss Grace when we helped with the house repairs.”
    I flush. I can’t believe he noticed that.
    “Are you always that shy around women? I would think that a guy like you is picking up women on a nightly basis,” Steve says.
    I exhale, relief rushing through me. He doesn’t think I’m avoiding her because I know her. Good. “I guess. I used to be a bit of a loser in high school. I don’t know how to approach them.”
    “Maybe I could help you with that sometime. I used to be quite good with women. Well, anyway, lately I’ve been talking to the guy…Dr. Sam Meadows, so you might not even need to talk to her,” he says. “I know you’ll do well.”
    “Thanks, Steve.”
    “You should go Sunday morning. Nobody else will be there because they’re church people.”
    “I’ll be there.”
    “If they are there for some reason, stay out of Lori Schneider’s way,” he says. “She’s a classic bitch. But you seem to get along with her kids, so that will help you along with the job. Maybe you can get them to do some free labor.”
    “I’ve played a few games of basketball with them…and they aren’t the type to do anything for free.”
    “Yes,