Forever Safe (Beacons of Hope) Read Online Free PDF

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    Thankfully Mr. Cushman didn’t smirk, although technically he had every right to do so. From his tense, stiff posture and the way he was scanning the front desk and waiting rooms, she guessed he was too busy protecting her to poke fun at her.
    Since he didn’t make any further issue of her visiting Arch, she decided she wouldn’t make any issue when he stopped her at each new stair landing, door, and hallway. At the pace they went, she was pretty sure it would take them several days to reach the third floor, where Arch had his bed in one of the public wards.
    But when she finally stood at his bedside with his hand in hers and his adoring eyes staring up at her, she knew it was all worth it. She kissed his cheek, rubbed his bald head affectionately, and then held tightly to his hand as she relayed to him all the day’s events.
    “So you see,” she said, smiling down at his pale face, “Mr. Cushman has saved me from death at least a thousand times today. If not for his extraordinary vigilance and his Goliath-like strength, I’d most definitely be dead.”
    Arch shared her smile and glanced at Mr. Cushman, who stood across the room near the door with his thick arms crossed, his expression stoic, and his eyes seeming to see everything all at once. The rows of beds on either side of the long room, most of which were full. The doorways on both ends. The tall windows letting in the late afternoon sunshine. The one or two nurses who came and went in their spotless uniforms.
    “He’s a good boy, Victoria. Be patient with him while he adjusts to his new job.”
    “His new temporary job,” she reminded Arch. “He’s only staying until you’re able to return, which hopefully will be very soon.”
    Arch shifted, and his face contorted before he gave a low moan.
    She squeezed his hand and waited for the wave of pain to pass. When his breathing grew more rapid and his eyes closed, she glanced around frantically. “Where’s the doctor? I have a patient here who needs the doctor.”
    At her declaration, Mr. Cushman stalked across the room, past the other beds, until he stood on the other side of Arch opposite her. “Arch?” Genuine worry laced his voice. “Tell me what’s wrong? Where are you feeling pain?”
    After today, she wouldn’t have guessed that anything bothered Mr. Cushman. His emotions and his body were both like granite. But apparently he had a weak spot for Arch, and she liked him for it.
    “I don’t need a doctor,” Arch said between gritted teeth. “I’ll be fine in a minute.”
    Arch fumbled for Tom’s hand. When he was finally holding each of their hands, his eyes flew open, first resting on Mr. Cushman and then on her. “This is good.” He smiled, pressing their hands together. “Now I’m feeling better again.”
    “Are you sure?” She tried to ignore Mr. Cushman’s fingers against hers, but Arch squeezed them closer.
    “Why don’t you make your deliveries to the others and visit with them,” Arch suggested, blessedly releasing her hand. “And give me a minute to talk with Tommy boy.”
    “Tommy boy?” She quirked a brow at Mr. Cushman and waited for him to quip back.
    He didn’t take the bait but instead pressed his lips together grimly. He was much too serious and no fun. She sighed and retrieved one of the packages from the bedstead where her coachman had placed them. As she delivered the sweet rolls and chatted with the other patients, she could feel Mr. Cushman’s intense attention upon her. Even though Arch had always watched her vigilantly too, this was somehow different. Mr. Cushman was different. But she couldn’t put her finger on exactly how.
    Maybe she was more aware of his scrutiny because he was so good-looking. Or maybe he was just too close in age to her suitors, to Nathaniel, and to other men who’d admired her so that it was difficult to distinguish his attention from theirs. Whatever the case, every once in a while when she looked up and saw his eyes upon