The Strength to Fall (McKinnon Brothers Book 1) Read Online Free PDF Page B

all.”
                  “Ozias, just go see her or I’ll never hear the end of it. I briefly told her what happened and now she’s worried. You know how she gets when she’s worried. For my sanity, just stop by for a few minutes. I’m tired myself after surgery today and I teach tomorrow so I need to eat and go to bed. She won’t sleep until she sees you.” Doc sounded exasperated with his wife. The more I knew of this man, the less I liked him. He is helping me free of charge so I guess I should be thankful. Wait, I guess it’s free.
                  “Um, Doc?” I said to get his attention.
                  He turned to face me and Ozias moved next to him. With them standing side by side it was the first time I noticed the height difference. Doc was tall and lean, probably over 6 feet. Ozias only came to his shoulders and he had a broad chest with narrow hips. His skin was more tanned than Doc’s and where Doc’s hair was light blonde, Ozias’ was black. The adoption theory played in my mind again.
                  “Yes?” Doc asked when I didn’t speak right away.
                  “I hate to ask so bluntly, but, uh, will there be a charge for your services? Because if so, I have my insurance card right--- I reached for my purse on the floor beside me to retrieve my card as proof that I did have insurance. My lack of furniture and being a stranger, they could think I was in need or something. Of course, anyone who could afford to live in these co-ops couldn’t be financially burdened but they didn’t know how I came to live here. Then it struck me. They must know some part of that story because they live here and would have known the previous occupant, my Aunt Claire.
    Doc stepped forward stopping me from getting my card out of my wallet.
                  “No, there’s no charge. Sadly, I’m used to paying for my son’s mistakes. Although, I will say this is the most interesting one to date. But again, no. There’s no charge. I’ll arrange for you to get an x-ray tomorrow at my clinic at the hospital near here and as long as no surgery is involved-“He stopped when he saw my eyebrows raise in reference to surgery. “And I don’t anticipate surgery will be required, then there will be no charge. Take Ozias up on his offer of dinner and rethink your sleeping arrangements. You’re my patient now so as your doctor I’m telling you my advice is not to sleep on the floor.” He started to turn to leave but when he reached the foyer he turned to me again.
                  “You’re related to the previous tenant of this unit, aren’t you? You know, there’s only three units on each floor. I don’t recall being notified by the board who they selected to buy Claire’s.” I noticed Ozias shift his weight from foot to foot nervously and cross his arms across his chest. I turned to answer Doc but I was trying to decide how much information to give. Ozias looked nervous at his father’s question and these men were strangers. I never remember Aunt Claire mentioning them but then again she was an eclectic person who was just not one to talk much unless she was sharing pertinent information.
                  “Yes, she was my aunt.” I decided on sharing just the basics at first. Doc gave me a serious look and rose one of his eyebrows. Ozias jerked his head in his dad’s direction then back at me. Ok, not sure why Claire being my aunt garnered such a reaction. “She was my mother’s sister, they were twins actually. Fraternal, not identical.” I don’t know why I told them more but I strangely felt the need to explain myself. “She left me her home in her will. I’m sorry the board didn’t inform you and honestly I wasn’t aware they had to.”
                  “I thought you were related. You share the same features and hair color, along with that southern accent.” He smiled sadly.