Killer Cupid (The Redemption Series: Book 1) Read Online Free PDF Page A

impressed with my painting. It made me even more uncomfortable, so I decided to try and change the subject. “Where are you from in Germany, David?”
    “Hamburg.”
    “And… and… you have family there?”
    “Yes. Why don’t you tell me about your family?”
    “Well, it’s just my parents and me.” I didn’t really know what else to say about them.
    “Doctor Payne tells me your father is a very successful businessman. What does he do?”
    “Daddy had an insurance company. And some other businesses that go along with that. But he’s thinking of slowing down, now that he’s sixty-two. So I – I guess he’s just going to be on the board or something like that. He sold his companies for a lot of money, I think. But he still goes to the office every day.”
    “Oh.” David pondered over my watercolor. “And your mother?”
    “Mama does lots of work for her clubs and charities. She’s very active in the community.” I nodded for emphasis, and then I realized my comment sounded like it came out of a public relations brochure.
    He choked back a laugh. “Ah, I see. And do they support you in your artwork?”
    “Well … yes… David.” I wasn’t so sure what he was getting at.
    “That’s good. Sometimes it can be difficult and lonely being so creative and artistic, if you don’t get the support and encouragement you need.”
    I wondered if he could see into my soul. I wanted to hide. But my body wasn’t strong enough to move. Then Grammy’s face filled my mind, and I knew I didn’t need to hide any more.
    David fixed his attention back on the painting, and seemed to study every detail. He looked up at me after a while, almost embarrassed, like he’d been in his own little world too.
    I felt bolder. “David, do you know what a Prayer Warrior is?”
    It was then I got a glimpse of his soul, right there in his eyes. There was an instant of pain and confusion, then trust, then peace. “I don’t know if there’s a formal definition, Debbie, but I’d say it’s a person – a righteous person – who prays diligently and often. Someone who wants a close, personal relationship with God, and who wants to be changed, or wants others to change or be healed.” He put my painting on the bed stand and took a couple of tissues and wiped his face. I thought he wasn’t used to emotion. I wondered why.
    I decided I was in love with him.
    “I need to find Cat the Prayer Warrior. How do I do that, David?”
    He cleared his throat. I had a feeling he knew this Cat. But he shook his head. “I don’t know.” He tossed the balled up tissue over the bed and into the waste basket.
    He sat on the edge of the bed and raised me into his arms. I hugged him with all my strength, and he kissed my cheek.
    “Will you paint something for me?”
    “Of… of course. What… what would you like, David?”
    He exhaled into my ear. “Hmmm.”
    It stirred a whirlwind of emotion I wasn’t sure I could bear.
    “Whatever you’d like to paint. We both know it’ll be perfect,” he whispered.
    He held me, and stroked my hair, until the aide came in to take my vital signs. I could only imagine the numbers would be crazy. David excused himself, and he was gone.
    Later, I noticed the painting was gone from the nightstand too.
     
    ***
     
    “You won’t believe this one! I ran into pain-away Payne, and I mean ran into! I thought he was gonna ask me out or something. He pressed me against his crotch. I mean the guy is old. He must be pushin’ fifty. Ick! What a lecher! I don’t care if he is richer than God.” Glori’s voice was loud. “Yeah, I think he stalks women in the vending area.” She looked up from her texting to acknowledge me, as she came through my door.
    Cindy gave Glori one of her looks as she dropped her sweater and bag on a chair, and grabbed my hand. She gave me a big smile. “You’re looking great today, honey. How are you feeling?”
    “Fine.” I squeezed her hand.
    “Good. They’re coming in with