Heaven's Touch Read Online Free PDF

relate face-to-face, that’s where he felt how closed off he’d become. He didn’t know what to do about it or how to fix it.
    Maybe he didn’t want to. He liked being alone. It suited him.
    Rachel, who had no such problems showing her emotions, tugged a tissue from the box on the coffeetable and swiped the dampness from her eyes. “You don’t understand how scared I was for you. I thought you’d never come back.”
    â€œDon’t you waste your tears on me.” So he wasn’t a tough guy all the time. “I do what I do in the military so you can sleep safe in your bed at night.”
    â€œI’d like you to be safe, too.”
    â€œI am. I’ve got my M-203.”
    â€œI take it that’s a gun?”
    â€œOne of the best. Stop worrying, got it?”
    â€œYeah.” She sighed, as if in resignation, and opened her mouth as if she were going to argue, then decided against it. She sniffed, dabbing at her eyes as she trailed off in the direction of the dark kitchen.
    One thing he wasn’t going to let her do was wait on him. He wasn’t that hurt—or so he kept telling himself. He leaned forward to reach for the crutches, and the springs beneath him protested.
    â€œI hear you trying to get up and don’t you dare!” Rachel scolded from the kitchen. “Stay right where you are, okay? I’ll bring supper to you. We had a slow night at the diner, so I had time to really cook up a big plate of your favorites.”
    â€œI told you not to go to any trouble.”
    â€œWhat trouble? Now, what do you want to drink? I bought chocolate milk at the store today, since I knew you were coming. A big gallon all for you.”
    â€œAll for me? That must mean you have your ownstash of chocolate milk in the fridge you’re hiding from me.”
    â€œIf I don’t, then you’ll drink every last drop, just like you do every time you stay with me. I’ve learned my lesson.”
    â€œHey, I buy more for you.”
    â€œYou do. I couldn’t ask for a better brother.” She was back, bringing her gentle cheer and a foil-covered plate with her.
    Her words touched him, and he was again at a loss to return the sentiment. Not that he didn’t feel it, just that…he couldn’t say something so vulnerable.
    Pretending it was the food that mattered, he took the plate from her, hot pad and all, and tore off the foil. The mouth-watering scents of country fried chicken, gravy and buttermilk biscuits made his stomach growl. That was much easier to deal with than his feelings. “This is great. I owe you supper tomorrow.”
    â€œIt’s a deal. And if you noticed, I gave you three helpings of mashed potatoes.” She set a wrapped napkin of flatware on the coffee table along with the carton of milk.
    When he leaned forward to grab the napkin, her eyes rounded. His shirt—he’d forgotten all about his back, since his leg hurt worse than a first-degree burn.
    Rachel went to her knees. “Oh, what did you do? Your shirt is singed and there’s this big hole. Were you on fire?”
    â€œYep, but it was nothing you need to worry about.” He forked in a mound of buttery potato, so creamy and rich, and kept talking with his mouth full. Man, he was hungry. “Disaster finds me.”
    â€œAs long as it doesn’t find you anymore. Do you need a salve or something? A bandage?”
    She looked dismayed, and over something so minor. It was nice to know how much she cared. The dark circles beneath her eyes seemed even darker, if that were possible, and she radiated exhaustion.
    The last thing she needed to do was waste any more effort on him, when she was what really mattered. Rachel and Amy and Paige were all the family he had in this world. “You look ready to drop, little sister. Go to bed, get some sleep and have good dreams. Will you do that for me?”
    â€œI am bushed, but you’re on