Jane's Long March Home Read Online Free PDF

pillow. His stomach flip over in a sudden hunger that had nothing to do with a desire for breakfast.
    As quietly as he’d opened the door, he closed it. The last thing he needed was to think of Jane Donovan as anything other than a client. He sighed, resigned, because sometime in the night, he’d decided to work with her.
    He'd have to keep a professional distance, something he’d been unable to do that with Nate, but he didn’t kid himself. It wouldn’t be easy.
    Everything he’d been taught said he shouldn’t have been treating a family member, but his brother had refused to see anyone else. Caught between his professionalism and his love for Nate, Chase hadn’t been able to turn his back on a soldier’s suffering then, either.
    This time, he couldn’t assume he had all the answers. He couldn’t look on Jane as anything other than a patient. Someone who needed his expertise. Even if the vulnerability she covered with that tough-as-nails Marine armor made him want to scoop her up and do more than simply console her.
    When she wasn't down for breakfast by the time he was finished, he left a short stack of pancakes in the microwave, and a note instructing her to come to the bunkhouse when she’d eaten.
    It was disconcerting to discover he wanted to make sure the Marine got three square meals a day; that all he could think about was how to make the challenge of facing her fears easier; that he was hoping to draw another one of those tiny smiles out of her.
    At the bunkhouse, while he waited for Jane to surface, Chase considered her treatment plan as he swept debris into a pile in the middle of the floor.
    When he'd had his practice, he’d earned a reputation for being ruthless when it came to getting results from the not always compliant walking wounded. His uncle knew that, which was why he'd sent his Marine all the way across the country and placed her in his care.
    Well, Matt had gotten his wish. When they were done, he’d send her back to active duty with the skills she needed to see her through the hard times. Living, moving beyond the tragedy still wouldn't be easy, but she'd have a running start.
    At the thought there would come a time when he wouldn’t be around to help her though those new challenges, a surprising, uncomfortable clink sounded against the wall he'd erected so he could be her counselor.
    “I’m ready to leave.”
    Chase glanced up at the woman so completely taking over his thoughts. She stood in the doorway he’d left open.
    Birds chirped in the yard behind her. Dust particles settled between them. The clean scent of her recent shower assailed him. Back-lit by morning sunlight, she looked like an angel.
    Stick to the plan, Russell.
    Clearing his throat, he leaned on the broom. “I’ve decided to help you.”
    “Why?” A furrow formed between her exquisite brows.
    She should be happy with his decision, but Chase couldn’t see what emotions, or lack of them, might have sprung into shrewd blue eyes hidden by the aviator glasses favored by military personnel.
    “You were right. I could use an extra pair of hands to help get things squared away here.”
    “Begging your pardon, Dr. Russell-”
    Chase held up one hand. Should he tell her the truth? She certainly deserved it after everything she’d been through.
    That night at his brother’s hospital bedside, it'd been humbling to discover he wasn’t such a big shot after all. What if Matt was right, and this Marine was his one chance to right his grievous mistake?
    He released his breath on a harsh hiss and admitted, “If I work with you, it will help me, too.”
    Jane stared, clearly confused by his change of heart.
    “What do you say? Will you stay?”
    Removing her sunglasses, she hung them on the neck of her tank. Pulling gum from her jeans pocket, she didn't do a good job of hiding her belligerence. “I have nowhere else to be.”
    Chase had a hard time hiding his smile. “How long can you stay?”
    “I’ve got thirty days