Finding Focus Read Online Free PDF

relax as it plays back beautiful images of the day.
    Green grass.
    Green trees.
    Vast blue skies.
    Dirt roads.
    Slow pace.
    Open embraces.
    Warmth.
    “Hey.” Something nudges my foot, and when I don’t open my eyes, it nudges my leg. “Rise and shine.”
    A smile plays on my lips, but I still don’t open my eyes. “Hey, Deacon.”
    “You’ve been out here awhile, city-slicker. Mama sent me to look for you. You can’t just disappear and not check in. She’ll have an all-out search and rescue party putting an APB on your ass.”
    I open my eyes, realizing the sun is far into the western sky, which means I must have fallen asleep. “I’m sorry,” I tell him, trying to stand. His large hands grip my arms and pull me the rest of the way up.
    “No big deal.” He smiles a big, toothy grin. “I wasn’t worried. You’ll have to apologize to Mama, though.”
    I laugh lightly, not knowing whether he’s joking or not. “I guess I lost track of time,” I tell him.
    “Sleepin’ on the job is more like it.”
    The hint of a smile on his face tells me he’s just giving me a hard time.
    “You gonna tell my boss?”
    “I might. Is this a common habit?”
    “Only when I’m working in the seventh layer of hell on a June day and slept like crap the night before.”
    “So, Willow Oak Motel doesn’t have Sleep Number beds yet?”
    I laugh loudly. “No. Willow Oak is lacking in several areas of hospitality . . . well, unless you’re a special guest.”
    He frowns at me, not following.
    “Never mind,” I tell him, waving him off. I’ve only been here a day. I think it’s a little too soon for me to join in on the town gossip.
    “You hungry?” he asks, walking beside me as we make our way back up to the house.
    “I could eat.”
    “Good, because my mama made it my job to make sure you get fed, but first, we’ve gotta stop in the house and show her you’re still alive and kickin’.” He winks my way and the way he smiles lets me know there’s a little truth behind his claim.
    “She seems really concerned about people eating.”
    “She is. She makes it her job, and she takes it very seriously.”
    “I can see that.” I nod.
    “Maybe it’s a southern mama thing. It doesn’t matter if you’re her kid, neighbor, or a stranger, she’s going to make sure you always have something to eat.”
    I smile, knowing exactly what he’s talking about. He just described my granny. She was always cooking for someone: me, church, someone sick, a new mom, her neighbors.
    When we get to the house, we walk through the large French doors leading into the dining room.
    “Deacon!” Annie calls from the kitchen. “Please tell me you have that pretty girl with you.”
    I smile and shake my head.
    “See? What’d I tell ya?” Deacon snickers from my side.
    Following Annie’s voice, we walk into the kitchen. She’s facing away from us, her shoulder length hair now twisted up in a bun and she isn’t wearing the flowy casual clothes from earlier. She has on an understated black dress with capped sleeves. The thin black line down the back of her stockings adds a touch of sexiness, and from the manly hands on her backside, I’m obviously not the only one who thinks so.
    “Maw! Dad! Shit,” Deacon groans, covering his eyes.
    “Oh, seriously, Deacon Samuel, there was only one immaculate conception, and I hate to burst your bubble, but it wasn’t you.” Annie shakes her head as she rights herself, turning around to face us. “Dani, I’m relieved to see you’re alive and well.” She gives me a look I assume she reserves for when her children are out of line, and I actually shrink a little. I’m not used to checking in with anyone. If I were out on a job in any other location, I’d be completely on my own. No one would care if I ate lunch or checked in, but it occurs to me Annie considers anyone in or around her home her responsibility.
    “I-I’m sorry. I didn’t realize—”
    “I’m Sam Landry, and you must be