Promises of Mercy(Montana Promises-Book 1) Read Online Free PDF Page B

She didn’t want him to think she was using the need to talk with him as an excuse. For all she knew, he was in a committed relationship. “Nah. I’m going out to lunch with a friend. If the doctor needs me for something or Chris becomes agitated, text me, okay?”
    “Will do.”
    To make sure her brother was okay, she hurried down the hall and peeked her head in the room. When she saw he was asleep, she quietly closed the door. Satisfied she’d covered her bases, she strode back down the hallway. To avoid getting into a long conversation with Becky or having to wait for the elevator, she took the three flights of stairs down to the exit.
    As soon as she stepped outside, she spotted Stone, leaning against his truck, looking wonderfully casual. Even in her frazzled state, she noticed that Stone Benson was one handsome man. His brown hair was short in back, but the front kind of flopped over his forehead, which drew her attention to his intense green eyes.
    He looked up with a broad smile on his face. “You just visit Chris?”
    Why her heart sped up at seeing Stone she didn’t know, but if he could take her mind off her reality even for a half hour, she’d be forever grateful. “Yes, but he was sleeping.”
    He nodded to her cooler. “Whatcha got there?”
    “I didn’t want to arrive empty-handed.”
    He slipped the container from her hand.
    When their fingers touched, it was as if an electric spark shot up her wrist. What was up with that? Her defenses must be kaput, and any stimulus affected her more than usual.
    “You didn’t have to, but I’m sure I’ll be happy with what you brought. Ready?”
    “Yup.” She liked how he put her at ease no matter what she said or did.
    He pulled open the covered back of his truck bed where he had bins stored between sections of bungee cords and placed her cooler snuggly between the taut lines. He walked her to the passenger side and opened the door.
    He waited until she was seated before shutting her in. Maybe she’d gone out with the wrong type of man in her life, but rarely had anyone acted like such a gentleman. Come to think of it, the last date she’d had was when she lived in Oklahoma City, and that man never did anything nice. God only knew, her ex-husband surely wasn’t the type to open a door for a woman.
    Stone climbed in his side and smiled. She didn’t know why, but her heavy heart lightened knowing he’d help share her burden, if only for today.
    “So where are we going?” She wasn’t even sure what to say to this nice man.
    He glanced over at her. “Would it bother you if I said it was a surprise?”
    She liked the idea. “No.”
    He exited the parking lot and headed west. “How long did you say you’ve lived in Rock Hard?”
    “A year.”
    Stone nodded. “Have you explored Harmes River?”
    She hadn’t taken the time to do much. Other than dinner with friends, or having Jamie and Ben over on the weekends, she’d spent her evenings reading or brushing up on the latest oncology protocols. Of late, she’d worried about Chris. “Nope.”
    “Then you’re in for a treat.” He looked over and smiled. “I hope.”
    She hadn’t invited him on a date but rather wanted to discuss her brother’s mental and physical condition. “I know you’re not a doctor, but any guess on how long it’ll be before I can take Chris home?”
    “That’s hard to say. His leg needs to heal first.”
    She was about to say Chris hadn’t complained about any leg pain, but why would he? He had no sensation below his chest. “What’s your assessment of his leg injury?” The doctor hadn’t been specific, and Stone had seen her brother before the doctors had patched him up.
    “While the abrasions only required a few sutures, I’m betting the doctors will monitor him for clots.”
    “Good to know.” While Stone seemed to have endless patience, maybe now wasn’t the best time to drill him or ask him for more favors. “As much as I had planned on discussing