The House of Wood Read Online Free PDF

“Professional of
course.”
    Rachel found his shyness cute.
She wanted to say yes. “I think I’m only going to be in town a
couple more days.”
    “That’s plenty of time.”
    She shook her head. “Sorry, I
don’t think I can.”
    Out the corner of her eye, she
thought she caught a familiar look flash across his face. But as
soon as it was there, it was gone. It must’ve been her imagination,
she realised. Maybe it was disappointment?
    “Well if you change your mind.”
David pulled out a business card and placed it on a small table by
the door.
    “I’m sorry, it’s just I’m not
much of a talker, so I’d be wasting your time,” she replied, trying
to sound sympathetic. “Thank you though.”
    David laughed. “Don’t worry
about it. I hope everything works out for you.”
    A slight shuffle behind him
drew both their attentions. Becky slotted past and walked in,
Nathan not far behind.
    “Oh sorry, didn’t realise you
had company,” Becky said with a look of surprise on her face.
    “That’s okay, I was just
leaving.” David turned to Rachel with a smile. “Take care.”
    She felt a pang of regret hit
her, as he left the room. She spotted Nathan giving him the evil
eye.
    “What was he doing here?”
Nathan asked.
    “Nothing, he was just passing
by. He knocked on the door. Any objections?”
    “I don’t trust him, that’s
all.”
    “Wait. Who is he? Why don’t you
trust him?” Becky asked, her head snapping side to side, as she
looked at each of them in turn.
    “His name’s David,” Rachel
replied, before Nathan had a chance to pipe up. “He’s a doctor,
well psychiatrist, and he’s very sweet.” She glared at Nathan.
    “If he’s a doctor, why is he
living here?”
    It was a valid question, she
thought. “I don’t know, maybe he’s not found a place of his own.”
There was a more pressing question ricocheting around her mind.
“Why are you so against him?”
    “I just am. There’s something
about him. Call it deputy’s instinct.”
    “Well I like him.”
    The trio sat in silence. Rachel
was beginning to grow tired of the constant awkward tensions that
kept growing between her and other people. “I see you two have
met.” She hoped to change the subject.
    “Yeah, Nathan introduced
himself after you…” Becky let the sentence trail off. “Anyway, tell
me more about this doctor.”
    “There isn’t much to tell,”
Rachel replied. “He asked if I needed someone to talk to.”
    “Rachel, I’ve got to get back
on duty,” Nathan butted in. “Maybe I’ll come back later.”
    “Oh, okay. It was so good to
see you again.”
    “Yeah, and you,” he replied.
“Take it easy.”
    He closed the door behind him,
leaving the two girls alone in the room.
    “What’s up with him?” Becky
asked.
    “I don’t know,” Rachel replied,
puzzled. It was really unlike him to act like a jerk, she thought,
her head racing with so many new emotions. He had always been so
sweet and shy when they had been friends in high school. How time
changes people, she realised.
    A yawn erupted from her. She
felt as though she could sleep for a week.
    “It’s been a long day,” Becky
remarked.
    “Tell me about it.”
    “There aren’t many people left,
just a few after more free wine. Shall we get back to them?”
    “I suppose I should. I feel
like such an idiot.”
    “Don’t worry about it. No one
noticed.”
    Rachel let out a small laugh.
“Thank you for all this.”
    “Don’t mention it,” Becky
replied. She bounced off the bed. “Right, let’s get back then.”
    “Just give me a sec.”
    “Okay.”
    Becky pulled the door to, as
she left. Rachel took one last look at the memory she held in her
hand. That summer would live with her for the rest of her life. She
folded the photo and placed it back in her purse, trying as hard as
she could to block out the memories.

Chapter
Four
     
    The rain hit the black surface
of Rachel’s umbrella like rapid artillery fire. Tap, tap, tap.