Freeing Her Read Online Free PDF Page B

grand a year in tuition. And Columbia Med School was
about fifty grand. Neither of those figures included the cost of
living or fees associated with it.
    “ It can’t be. Not starting
out with that kind of debt hanging over your head.”
    “ I wish I could be at the
point where I could afford to take cash, but I’m not established
enough. Insurance reimbursement for psychiatrists is terrible.
Sometimes I only get about twenty percent of what I bill, other
times, fifty percent. It depends and each policy is different. I
spend so much time trying to figure them out because I don’t have
an insurance specialist. So that puts me further behind plus I have
office rent I have to pay.”
    “ And I always thought
psychiatrists were wealthy.”
    She agreed with a small nod. “Most people
do. But we’re not. Particularly when we’re starting out. I have to
work shifts at the hospital to help out with my bills. I’m sorry. I
don’t mean to complain.”
    “ You’re not complaining.
You’re explaining. There’s a difference.”
    Gabby reached out to touch the single rose
bud that was in a vase and her sleeve slipped back off her wrist.
Kolson noticed the scars that were previously hidden. Her other
hand moved to cover her wrist. She glanced up at him to see if he’d
noticed them. When she found him watching her, her body
deflated.
    “ That’s a beautiful
flower, isn’t it?”
    “ Yes,” she
mumbled.
    “ It’s not nearly as
beautiful as you are.”
    Gabby wasn’t sure she heard him correctly,
as she slanted her head.
    “ You don’t believe me, do
you?”
    “ I uh, well, I ...” She
twirled a piece of her hair.
    Kolson laughed. “Believe me, Gabby. It’s the
truth.”
    The waiter showed up with their drinks, and
right afterward, their antipasti platter. Gabby smiled at the size
of it and at the way Kolson enjoyed eating.
    “ Are you laughing at me?”
he asked.
    “ Not at all. I like to see
people enjoy their food.”
    “ I wish you’d
eat.”
    “ I think I will.” And she
had a few bites, but that was all she could manage.
    When they were finished, Kolson asked the
waiter to box it up for him, and then gave it to Gabby to take
home.
    “ You may find you’re
hungry later tonight.”
    She smiled and clasped his forearm. “Thank
you. You’re very kind.” She pressed her fingers to her lips. Gabby
wasn’t used to this type of treatment from complete strangers.
Though she had spent the night at this man’s home, she was still a
stranger to him.
    The dinner had eased her worries a bit, but
now that she was going home, thoughts of Danny were storming her
mind again.
    When they arrived at her building, he asked,
“Would you like me to walk you upstairs?”
    “ Please.” Her voice was
raspy and strained.
    When he delivered her to her door and made
sure her apartment was safe, he handed her a card. “If you need me,
for anything at all, call.”
    She looked at the card and it bore no name.
Only a single phone number. She smiled. Reaching into her pocket,
she said, “Here.” She handed him a card that looked identical to
his with one exception. The number was different.
    He turned to leave, but she stopped him with
her hand. Gripping his arm with a firm hold, she said, “Thank you.
I’m not sure how, but …” She squeezed her lids together and
swallowed. Then she looked at him, caramel-colored eyes meeting
multihued ones, and repeated herself, “Thank you for everything.”
Her look imparted much more than gratitude. It conveyed to him
exactly how much she appreciated what he had done for her.
    He nodded and left. When he got back in the
car, he said to Sam, “I want that man, Danny whoever he is,
tracked. I want you to find out everything you can on him. He’s her
cousin, but she doesn’t want anything to do with him. In fact, he
scares the shit out of her. I’m putting Tom Barrett on it. There’s
a reason, and it has to be deeply personal.”
    “ Got it, boss.”
    “ And Sam, if he