Love, Like Water Read Online Free PDF

Hannah had sent him on Josh’s graduation from the FBI Academy was of a tall, grinning young man, broad-shouldered and strong. Not this shattered wreck of a scarecrow, dressed in black, with black fuzz on his head, deep gouges where his cheeks should be, and a knife blade of a nose. Appalled, Tucker stepped into the room and stood looking down in dismay at his nephew.
    Josh opened his eyes and, faster than Tuck could have believed a wreck of a man like that could move, was off the other side of the bed, a knife in one hand and an expression of rage and fear on his gaunt face. Tuck flung his hands up in a gesture of surrender and said, “Josh?”
    The man stared at him a moment, then the adrenaline or whatever had fueled his response drained out of him. He dropped his hands, tossed the knife onto the bedspread, and said dully, “Hello, Uncle Tucker.”
    “Sorry to startle you,” Tuck said quietly, moving slowly to sit on the edge of the bed and retrieve the knife. It looked like one of Sarafina’s steak knives. He must have picked it up in the kitchen last night, or sometime after Sarafina had gone to bed. Tuck put the knife on the nightstand. “Sit down, son, before you fall down.”
    Josh sat gingerly on the other side of the bed. “No. I’m sorry. I… I don’t react well to things.”
    “Understandable. Your mother said you’ve had a rough time of it.”
    His nephew shook his head. “I’m sorry. I don’t….” He stopped and folded his arms, his hands cupping his elbows. “I appreciate your letting me come here.”
    “You’re family. This is your home from here on out, if you want it to be.”
    Josh raised his head and met Tuck’s eyes. “Don’t make promises,” he said expressionlessly. “You don’t know all the facts yet.”
    Moving slowly, the way he would with the wildest mustang fresh off the range, Tuck rose and went around to Josh’s side of the bed. He reached out and took one sleeve of Josh’s jacket in finger and thumb, and tugged gently until Josh’s arm slid out. He did the same with the other, then tossed the jacket onto the chair in the corner.
    Josh immediately put his arms back in the same folded position, but Tuck wasn’t done. He put his hand—still so slowly, so gently—on Josh’s wrist, and pulled the arm out. As he’d expected, the skin on the inside of the elbow was riddled with needle marks.
    “Heroin?”
    Josh nodded and closed his eyes.
    “Hannah said there was an issue with drugs, but she didn’t say what,” Tuck said, trying to keep his voice steady. “She said you went through some kind of detox and rehab?”
    “Yes. I’m clean.” Josh was silent a moment, then said bitterly, “As clean as a heroin addict gets.”
    “Well,” Tuck said mildly, “not much chance you’ll be able to make a connection out here. Nearest ranch is fifteen miles west, and Miller’s the closest town. Had some trouble a few years ago when some dumb kids set up a meth lab, but they blew it and themselves to kingdom come. Might find some marijuana around, and down on the rez you might find some peyote, but the shamans are real particular who gets to that. So, I’d say you’re stuck.”
    “Thanks,” Josh said. He looked down at his arm. Tuck released him, then said, “Sarafina said you had a rough night. Don’t feel obliged to get up—you look like you could use the rest, and she can bring you breakfast here. You got pajamas in that duffel there? Can’t imagine denim’s all that comfortable to sleep in.”
    Josh shook his head. “She doesn’t have to go to any trouble.”
    “She’d do it anyway, even if I didn’t ask her. You’re family.”
    “You said that.”
    “And I’m gonna keep saying it, until you believe it. Look, Josh, your mama told me everything she knew, which I’m betting ain’t anywhere near everything. You tell me what you’re comfortable telling me, and not a stitch more. Soon’s you’re feeling better, you come work with me in the office,