Perfectly Reasonable Read Online Free PDF

to raise money.”
    “How much did they go for?”
    She gave him an impatient glance and debated whether to tell him. “Five thousand,” she said reluctantly.
    His eyes widened. “Dollars?”
    She fluttered her eyes at him modestly. “People are more generous when the money is going to a charity.”
    “Wow.” He looked at her with respect in his eyes. “I don’t paint, so that’s not an option.”
    “Maybe not. But you’re good at math.”
    He nodded. “I used to study in the math hall, but it got annoying because the first and second-year students always came to me for help.”
    “Tutoring.”
    He shrugged. “Yeah, I guess so.”
    “ That should be on your resume.”
    “Really? It probably added up to over ten hours a week. I had to put the brakes on it, so I could get my work done.”
    “Yes, definitely. Teaching is a huge part of medicine. Plus everyone learns differently, and you probably had to tailor how you taught to the student. Communication Skills 101. That’s good. Time management is another important skill. So don’t focus on why you stopped, but think about how you made it work. Like having scheduled time to tutor and set time to study. Plus bonus, people skills.”
    “Hat trick,” he said with a grin.
    “You might want to work on the empathy part, though. I volunteer at Breaking Bread. It’s a soup kitchen that offers hot dinners three hundred and sixty-five days a year. They’re always looking for help,” she hinted.
    He grimaced. “Do they like KD and tube steaks?”
    She laughed. “We do a little better than Kraft Dinner and hot dogs. But don’t worry, you won’t have to cook. There’s a whole team working together and plenty of other jobs.”
    “Okay, sounds reasonable. If you think I could help, I’m in.”
    She hid a smile. Progress? Him offering to help without considering what he could get out of it. That was encouraging.
    “I wonder if I should start by eating there. Really get into the empathy thing,” he added.
    And maybe not.

Chapter 7
    Two walls down and two to go. Plus, the wall of windows would be quick with only a strip across the top needing paint. She had made good time and could afford a break for lunch. Margo set her brush down and arched her back, stretching stiff muscles. “I’d love one of those muffins now.”
    Trace indicated for her to sit and pushed the container of muffins closer. “Help yourself.”
    She grabbed her lunch and sat down on the bar stool beside him. “I brought a salad if you’d like to share.” She reached for a muffin and peeled the paper wrapper off.
    “Thanks. Mrs. Crombie sent over some pumpkin soup the other day. Would you like some with your salad?”
    “Sounds delicious.”
    Trace went into the kitchen and as she ate the muffin, she watched him pour the soup into a pot and heat it up. He ladled the steaming soup into two bowls, and her mouth watered. Could have been the warm scent of pumpkin and nutmeg filling the air, but his easy grace and relaxed movements did it, too. He may not cook, but he was smokin’ hot in the kitchen. He set the bowls down on the island.
    She wrapped her hands around the warm bowl, leaned over it, closed her eyes, and sniffed deeply. “Mmmm . . . thank you.”
    Trace looked at her with hungry eyes, and she faltered a moment, startled at the thought that he might be reading her mind. “My pleasure,” he said. “Here’s a spoon.” He held it out and when she reached for it, he leaned closer. “It’s good for spooning . . .”
    She raised startled eyes to his.
    “. . . soup,” he whispered. He chuckled as he walked around the island to join her, and Margo tried not to squirm in her seat.
    Feigning nonchalance, she put a portion of her salad on a plate for Trace. Time to change the subject. “I invited Mrs. Crombie to help out at Breaking Bread, too. She’s such a great cook.”
    Trace nodded. “She’d enjoy that. She misses cooking for a crowd, although I’m always happy to take