Song of the Surf (Pacific Shores Book 3) Read Online Free PDF Page B

the armpit and you’ll just have to use your hand to swing the crutch forward. Come on. You can do this.”
    Her little pep talk didn’t make her feel much better, but she forced herself into motion and stood. She balanced precariously on her heel and tucked the crutches under her arms, then fumbled to loop the canvas bag’s handles over her head.
    Thankfully, the door to her room was a sliding one that was easy to open.
    Justus waited for her, one shoulder planted into the hallway wall and arms folded. His black leather jacket stretched tight over his broad shoulders and looked way too good. It made her self-conscious of her messy hospital hair, lack of a shower, and probably barely-there-smudges of makeup.
    He stood when he saw her. “Ready?” His gaze swept down and paused on her shoe before rebounding to her eyes. His lips twitched. “I better find you a wheelchair.”
    “No. No. I’ll be fine. I have to get the hang of this sometime. Might as well start now.”
    She awkwardly swept the crutches forward and did her best to ignore the throbbing in her arm. The hospital bag swung out and then flopped back against her belly like lead weight on a plumb line.
    Justus stepped up right in front of her and relieved her of the bag. He didn’t move back but stayed where he was, looking down into her face. “What’s your middle name?”
    Her brow puckered. “Jean. Why?”
    “Jean’s so normal. I figured it might be stubborn or obstinate or something like that.” He winked.
    She swung her good hand to smack him, but he just laughed and ducked away. “Come on gimpy. The elevator’s at the end of the hall. We’d better get started if we want to make it home by tonight.”
    “I just want to swing by Mrs. Murton’s room on the way out.”
    But there was no need to search out her room, because a grey haired woman in a hospital gown was coming toward them from the other end of the hallway. She smiled and waved.
    Dakota’s heart filled with love and dread all at once – just like it did each time she saw the woman. “Hi Mrs. Murton.”
    “Dakota, dear! It’s so nice to see you! Well, not here necessarily, but you know what I mean.” She smiled.
    “It’s good to see you too. Are you going to be okay?”
    Mrs. Murton waved away her concern. “Pastor Mark told me about the house. I couldn’t believe it.” She reached out and squeezed Dakota’s good hand where it rested on the padding of the crutch’s handle.
    “Yes. Pretty crazy. But the worst that happened is my broken arm.”
    “Bones do heal, I suppose. I’m very glad you weren’t hurt worse.” The truth of her words shone in the older woman’s expression.
    And threatened to bring Dakota to tears. “Thank you.” How she wished the past could be different.
    Mrs. Murton’s soft blue eyes angled toward Justus, and a glimmer of curiosity and interest registered. “Who’s this nice looking man, dear?” The tone of her voice said the elderly widow would be the highest bidder if Justus were on an auction block.
    “Uh…” Dakota looked down and scrubbed at a mark on the floor with the tip of one crutch. That nurse must have given her a dose of some crazy drug, because she was suddenly experiencing a hot flash she felt sure could be seen on satellite from space. “This is Justus Teague. He’s in town to be in Reece and Marie’s wedding on Saturday.”
    “Oh, he knows the Cahill boy?” Mrs. Murton assessed him from the top of his blond head to his black leather work boots and back. “Well, he must be alright then.” She offered Justus a smile that he returned with an offered hand.
    “Nice to meet you. Mrs. Murton, is it?”
    “Yes, dear.” She accepted his handshake into a two handed grip and leaned close to speak right into his face. “You take care of my Dakota, you hear? No hanky panky. She’s a good girl.”
    Justus blinked. “Yes, ma’am.” He glanced over and grinned at her.
    Somewhere in a scientific lab, there were meltdown-danger