Love's Miracles Read Online Free PDF Page A

Francisco?”
    “Berkeley.”
    His
suspicion deepened, but he didn’t pursue the questioning. Not now. He didn’t
want to upset the deer with possible anger. Another stitch slipped into place
while his mind raced with speculation. Maybe she was lost. There were several
old lumber roads that meandered through the forest.
    Her
voice interrupted his thoughts. “She seems to be weakening.”
    He
looked at her arms as they gripped the fawn and could see the strain. “You’re
doing fine. I’m almost done.”
    The
last suture closed the gap and Zane tied it with deft movements. He sloshed
disinfectant over the wound before he spoke again. “This is Zanelli timberland
that you’re on. It’s private property.”
    “Good.
I was beginning to wonder if I had the right place.”
    He
tensed and began checking the deer’s hindquarters for any other injuries. What
could she possibly want? She didn’t look like a woman who would come all this
way for a social call. She wanted something. Maybe he shouldn’t ask. He
finished with the deer and glanced up at her. “You can let her go now,” he
advised.
    Carefully,
he lifted the fawn and helped the animal to its feet. It wobbled for several
seconds, took a couple of bounds, then paused to look at its human benefactors
before turning slowly to walk toward the forest.
    ***
    Margo
stood and watched the awkward movements of the small animal. She marveled at
its resiliency. She felt wobbly herself now. Her stomach was still doing
flip-flops.
    Margo’s
glance slid to the man she’d come to see. He stood tall, around six-one, with a
broad chest and lean hips. His ministrations to the deer had been gentle in
spite of his large hands. He had really cared about the animal’s welfare. It
was a good sign and not what she’d expected. Especially not after the way he’d
looked when she first saw him.
    Oh,
he looked frightening enough, with his beard and unruly hair blood-spattered
and caked with mud. But there was hope. More than hope. Margo felt relieved; so
relieved that she gave in to her body’s demand and slumped down on the cool
grass.
    “What’re
you doing?” His voice turned harsh.
    Margo
tensed. “I’m drained. I’m going to rest a minute before I…”
    “No
you’re not.” His once tender hands were now rough as he grabbed her arms and
pulled her upright. “You’ve got some explaining to do.”
    So
much for hope ,
she thought as she gathered her sagging strength and tried to straighten out of
his hold. He didn’t let go.
    “No
need to get rough, Mr. Zanelli. I’m no threat to you.”
    His
grip tightened, not enough to hurt but enough to make her aware of his sudden
wariness. His eyes narrowed as he studied her face. “Do I know you?”
    “Of
me. Dr. Margo Devaull. Vinnie told you I was coming.”
    The
suspicion in his expression changed to concern. “What’s wrong with him? Is he
all right? Why does he need a doctor?”
    Great.
Vinnie had lied. She eyed Zane’s muscled forearms and wondered what else Vinnie
had neglected to tell her. Was Zane violent? She was trained in self-defense,
but Zane was a big man; a strong man.
    Best
thing to do was to keep cool. “He’s fine. He was going to come with me, but he
had to make a quick trip to Portland.”
    “Come
with you? What’s up?” The lines of concern became a scowl.
    Margo
pulled her arm out of his grasp. His concern was changing to confusion and she
guessed it would soon become anger. She took another step back. “I’m a
psychologist, Mr. Zanelli. Vinnie asked me to come and see you.” She held out
her hand to shake, but he didn’t take it. His jaw clenched.
    Margo
lowered her arm and took a deep breath. She knew it was important to remain
calm. “Your brother’s under the impression I might be of some help to you. I
was informed you’d been told and agreed to see me.”
    “Look,
lady. I don’t know what you’re talking about. I don’t need help.”
    She
didn’t resent the skepticism. No sign of