Secrets Read Online Free PDF Page B

you to do. You don’t even know me.”
    “Accidents can cause lifelong spinal problems. As a doctor, I feel better about attending to your back right away. Let’s put you on a table, and Becky can start your massage.”
    “Thank you, Dr. Dane. I appreciate this very much.”
    As Jessica lay flat on her stomach on a rather comfortable, padded table, Becky worked on Jessica’s back with a low-humming massage machine. Jessica felt the tension begin to drain from her muscles. She thought about Dr. Dane and wondered if such generosity was the way of life for the people in this small, friendly town.
    Perhaps all her suspicions about Kyle were unfounded. Maybe he was only doing for her what any Glenbrooke firefighter would do for someone he rescued from an accident. The thought was comforting and a little disappointing at the same time. She had almost convinced herself he was interested in her. After the massage and adjustment, Jessica felt a definite improvement.
    Mrs. Dane drove to a little diner called the Wallflower, so named for its decor. Planters were built into the walls both inside and outside the restaurant, and from each planter spilled bright waterfalls of late summer flowers.
    “Aren’t the mums wonderful?” Ida asked as they found a corner table next to a planter of bright yellow mums. “This is my favorite little spot.”
    Jessica guessed that Ida loved flowers. Her front yard was probably filled with a wide variety. The topic of flowers proved to be safe ground for conversation, as Jessica worked on her sandwich, trying diligently not to bite into her still swollen top lip. She couldn’t believe how much better she felt, not only from the food, but also from the massage and adjustment.
    “Will you just listen to me,” Ida said merrily when they arrived back at Jessica’s front door. “Here I wanted to learn all about you, and instead, I yapped about myself the whole time. We’ll have to go out to lunch again real soon. When do you start school?”
    “Monday, I believe.”
    “Why, that’s only two days away! You arrived just in time.”
    “We have teachers’ meetings for a week, and then school starts the next Tuesday, right after Labor Day.”
    “Oh, yes, of course. Say, I’m planning to visit Hugh tomorrow morning at ten. Would you like to join me? He supposedly doesn’t know anyone is in the room, but I believe he’ll comearound soon. The more we parade our familiar faces and voices through his room, the more it will help him. That’s what I believe.”
    “Sure. I’d love to go with you.”
    The next morning at 10:15 Jessica sat in a straight-backed chair at Mr. McGregor’s bedside and shyly reached over to hold his hand and give it a little squeeze. His hairline had receded far past where she remembered it to be when she last saw him, six or seven years ago. And what little hair he did have was all gray. His round face looked ashen.
    “Well, I made it here, Mr. McGregor. It’s Jessica Mor…,” She paused and was about to say, “Fenton,” but then she realized Mrs. Dane was right there, and she knew her as Jessica Morgan. “It’s me, Jessica,” she said quickly. “I arrived a few days ago. The house you found for me is perfect. I really like it.” Jessica looked over at Mrs. Dane, who gave her an approving nod and smile.
    “I took her to see Dale.” Ida stepped into the one-sided conversation. “What Jessica isn’t telling you is that she had an accident on the way into town.”
    Jessica cringed. The last thing she thought Mr. McGregor needed to hear about was her accident. The poor man had enough of his own troubles. “I’m really okay though,” Jessica told him. “It wasn’t bad. I did spend my first night in Glenbrooke here at the hospital. Isn’t that funny? We both were in the same building, only I was downstairs.”
    It seemed for an instant that Mr. McGregor’s eyelids fluttered. Both women moved closer, hoping he would open his eyes and start to talk as if