Knowing Vera (Romantic Suspense, Family Drama) (Chance for Love) Read Online Free PDF Page A

it to her blanket. “He says we should have an open relationship. Fun only. No commitments.”
    “Because that’s the only way you’d take him.” She wipes Emma’s face and kisses her knit hat. “Vera, I’ve known you forever. You don’t get close to anyone. Not even me.”
    I catch my indignant breath. Why is everyone psychoanalyzing me? Getting close to people means needing them. I push the chair back and stand. “I love you, but I have to go.”
    “See what I mean?” She tucks Emma close to her heart and rocks her. The baby’s eyes close and the pacifier droops, barely in her mouth. “You care more than you think, but you don’t let others care about you.”
    Her words suck the oxygen from my lungs. I don’t need anyone picking at my feelings. Don’t they realize there’s nothing there? I kiss her on both cheeks, going through the motions of best friend. “Say hi to Lucas.”
    ***
    I escape the neonatal ward, my heels tapping like a strident woodpecker. If Zach’s feelings are hurt I should pay him a visit and set everything straight.
    It’s nearing rush hour. I hurry to my car and drive the seven miles to Zach’s apartment near Alameda Creek. It’s in one of those upscale, boldly colored complexes painted in tawny gold, olive drab, and russet brown earth tones.
    He doesn’t answer the door, so I call him on my cell. “Hey, it’s me. I’m standing outside your place. I came to talk to you.”
    “I’m walking on the creek trail, a few minutes away. Will you wait for me?”
    “You doing okay?”
    “Of course.” He laughs, overly bright. “How about you?”
    “I’ll meet you. Which direction should I go? Right or left?”
    “Right.”
    “Okay, I’ll look for you.” I hang up and walk toward the trail before I lose my nerve and get back into my car.
    I’m old enough to not confuse lust with love. Before the accident, Zach was the consummate player. His smile dropped panties; his eyes promised paradise. I’m not sure how I feel about him now, limping and grimacing with pain but trying so hard to appear normal. I blink back tears and stiffen my shoulders. Pity is not an emotion he’ll appreciate.
    Zach appears around the bend in the path. When he sees me, he quickens his pace and swings his arms, power walking. He still has the temporary training prosthesis because his stump will shrink as the muscles and swelling decrease. I chop my hands downward for him to slow down, but he puffs out his chest and starts loping into a run.
    He stumbles several feet from me and falls onto his hands and knees.
    “Zach!” I run toward him, but he’s up on one leg before I get there. His palms and exposed knee are scraped and bleeding, and he winces when he applies weight to his prosthetic leg.
    “I’m okay.” He grits his teeth and grins. “Just excited to see you.”
    I wrap his arm around my shoulder, but he pulls away and limps toward his apartment.
    “Zach, let me help you.”
    He continues without looking back, increasing his speed.
    “You’re going to fall again. You might have injured your—” I stop, not wanting to state the obvious.
    By the time he opens the door, sweat drips down his face and he’s blowing hard through his teeth.
    His place is messier than usual. Unopened newspapers and junk mail litter the entry way, and takeout boxes and tins are piled on the kitchen table.
    “Sorry.” He hobbles to the kitchen and grabs a trash container. “I’ve been busy fitting this leg.”
    “It’s okay.” I flip through the papers on his counter and find the card for his doctor. “You’re hurt. I’m driving you to the clinic.”
    “No, I’m fine. The socket is loose. I should have padded it more before putting it on this morning.” He snatches the card from me and flings it across the room. “You want to talk to me, start talking.”
    My jaw drops. Zach had never been huffy with me before, always patient and charming. The pain must be bad, but I let him run the show. He’s a