Foundation for Three Read Online Free PDF Page A

balloons. Zoey picked one that just said, “Get Well.” It wasn’t original, but it represented her wishes.
    Armed with her gifts, she returned to the waiting room to find Cade on the phone.
    As soon as he spotted her, he ended the call. “I just checked. Thad’s out of recovery and in room 609.” His lips tightened, as if he debated saying more. He then waved his cell. “Seems I’m needed at the station. Say ‘hi’ for me.”
    She was a bit disappointed he wouldn’t come with her, but she understood duty called. “I will.”
    Zoey made her way up to the surgical floor. Thad’s door stood open, so she stepped inside without knocking. His eyes were closed, but his breathing appeared even. An IV stand was next to the bed, and a tube containing saline entered his right arm. Considering he probably had lost a lot of blood, his color looked quite good though she might be comparing him to when he’d worn the stage makeup to create an appearance of looking near death. She debated dropping off her gifts and leaving, but she really wanted to speak with him.
    Like she had a month ago when she was his pretend therapist, Zoey pulled up a chair near the bed. “Thad?” She kept her voice soft in case he was asleep.
    He cracked open an eye. His lips lifted but not enough to make a smile. “Hey. You’re safe.” His voice sounded hoarse and a bit weak.
    He was worried about her? “You’re the one who was shot.”
    The ventilation clicked on and it sent the balloon bobbing. Only then did she remember she was still holding it, along with the lion. She pushed back her chair and stood.
    “I, ah, brought you these.” She rushed over to the dresser across from his bed and tied the end of the balloon to the handle. She returned to the nightstand and placed the lion on top.
    He glanced at the stuffed animal. “Roar.” He smiled and her heart pinged.
    She laughed, perhaps a bit too loudly. Calm down . Zoey tried to think of him as another patient and not as someone who intrigued her, but she couldn’t. He’d been so strong in her time of need that she was drawn to him.
    Thad closed his eyes, looking like he was fighting drugs and fatigue. Without the stage makeup, he was a very handsome man. His brown hair was cut military short, and his nose had a cute little bump in it. A one-inch scar sliced across his chin, which gave him a tough boy look that reminded her of Harrison Ford. What she remembered the most about the time she’d spent with him was how much she liked his eyes. They changed color depending on the light—sometimes a sea green and at other times a warm toast.
    He wet his lips and his breathing increased.
    “Do you want some water?” The pitcher sat on a side table where he couldn’t reach it.
    He opened his eyes and let out a breath. “That would be nice.”
    Happy to have something to do, she poured him a glass. His bed was elevated, so he was able to drink without lifting his head. When she held the cup to his lips and tilted the straw, he took it from her, acting like having a nursemaid would be worse than another bullet. He groaned on the first sip even though he’d used his good arm.
    Concern rushed through her, and she leaned forward. “Are you in pain? Do you want me to call the nurse?” She removed the cup from his fingers and set it aside.
    He studied her injury. “What happened to your head?” He hadn’t answered her question, and the avoidance told her a lot.
    “It’s nothing.”
    “Garrett hit you. I remember now.” His brows pinched then he pressed his lips together as if he was working hard not to let the ache get to him.
    “Maybe I should leave. You need to rest.”
    He grabbed her hand. “No.” His response came out quickly.
    Okay . He wanted her here. She wanted to be with him, too. “Did the doctor say how long you had to stay in the hospital?”
    “Too, ah, long.” He winced and blew out a breath.
    “You sure you don’t want me to call the doctor?” Had his wound