September Rain Read Online Free PDF Page A

to concentrate on her voice.
    “--but since you saved me from a horrible fate, and I’m seeing you in your bed, I suppose you could call me Hallie. That is, if I may call you Jacob?”
    He knew who she was. Knew her melodious voice, from the few times he’d been in her store, although her soothing tone and matter of fact words surprised him, as did her presence here in his cabin. Never in his wildest dreams had he imagined Hallie Greer in his cabin.
    He’d always thought she was attractive, plus she was one of the few people in town who ever spoke to him. She’d never failed to smile and speak, as if he were just another customer. She’d always made him feel welcome in a town that had long since dismissed him as crazy. That was fine with him, of course. He didn’t talk to anyone, and didn’t want anyone talking to him.
    He kept his eyes shut and let her voice flow around him like a slow summer river. Slowly, his muscles began to unknot. He breathed carefully, knowing one sudden movement could start it all up again.
    Hallie watched Jacob’s eyes drift shut. She tried to keep her gaze away from his bare shoulders and arms, but it wasn’t easy. His muscles were in knots. Tendons wound like cords through his neck and arms. There was no spare flesh on him, so each cramped muscle stood out like a knot on a smooth log. She longed to rub the cramps away, like she used to do for her father, but the idea of touching him was profoundly disturbing.
    She didn’t quite know why, but the thought sent tingles through her fingers, up her arms, and down her body to make her legs weak. So she contented herself with touching his sinewed hand and trying to relax him with her words. She talked as if she were trying to calm a scared kitten, slowly, smoothly, non-stop.
    “My pa always said I could talk enough for two people. He said I had a pleasant voice, though. Now I know you’re hurting, but if you would settle down enough so I could put your gun away--” As she talked, she slid her fingers down his until they left the hard warmth of his skin and touched the cold barrel of the gun. Still talking, not changing her tone a bit, she slipped the gun out of his grasp. At the same time, she wiped the wet cloth across his forehead.
    “That’s good, Jacob. As soon as I clean you up a little we can see about getting some water inside you. You’ll be feeling better in no time.”
    Suddenly, Jacob’s hand stopped hers and he looked straight at her. She jumped and her breath caught. His fingers curled around her hand like they had around his gun.
    She stared into eyes as hard and bright as glass on a clear summer day. Gone was the soft concern she remembered. She managed a shaky smile. “Jacob?" she said, "are you awake now?”

CHAPTER FOUR
     
    Jacob didn’t answer Hallie’s question, but his fingers pried the gun out of her hand with more strength than she expected. He slid the cold weapon back onto the blanket and wrapped his hand around the butt.
    “O-okay, Jacob. If you want to keep your gun, that’s fine.” She swallowed nervously. “Did you hear me introduce myself just now?”
    His gaze didn’t waver, but his mouth opened slightly, and he licked at a drop of water that had trickled down his face from the wet cloth.
    “My name is Hallie Greer and I said you could call me Hallie and I would call you Jacob. You need some more water, Jacob.” She carefully held the cup of water to his lips.
    Although his head didn’t move, his eyes followed her hand.
    “I came to see if you were all right,” she said, as she tipped the cup to trickle water into his mouth. “I see that you’re not. I’m so sorry, Jacob. I tried to stop them. I tried to tell them you weren’t the one who attacked me, but Brent Myers was there and he wouldn’t listen.”
    “Oh they hurt you,” she whispered. “Can you hold your head up to drink?”
    He closed his eyes and tried to move, but when he did, his skin turned ashen and the lines in his face