The Way Home Read Online Free PDF

that was the last thing he expected her to say. “I’ll buy you some tomorrow.”
    “Please don’t. I’d prefer to purchase my own, but I have to get a job.”
    “You most certainly do not.” He opened the door. “You’re my guest.”
    “No.” She halted. “I don’t like being company. I have no idea how long I’ll be here or if I’m ready yet to encourage that deluge of attention. There’s so little I am sure about, but if I think about the whole big picture, I’ll lose what’s left of my mind, so—” she shrugged “—I’m not going to. I have to find a way to exert some control.” She gestured around her. “This is a nice place. I’m not so afraid here. Being fearful really kind of ticks me off. I have a feeling that I might not be a person who’s usually timid.”
    He grinned. “I’d say you can take that to the bank.”
    “So I insist on earning my keep. I thought I could tackle your landscaping.”
    “Or lack thereof.”
    “Exactly. No English garden—I don’t mean that. Nothing manicured. But you could use a space for vegetables, and flowers are good for the soul. You have a few, but they’re sadly neglected. It’s the wrong time of year, but the soil could be prepped, so—” Then a thought hit her. “But you might not be able to afford to pay me. I’ll understand if—Or maybe someone else around here—”
    He chuckled. “I did the big-city gig first. I’ve got a few shekels saved up.” He glanced behind her. “Heaven knows you’re right about my jungle.”
    “I could help Luisa cook, too, and I—”
    “Jane.” He gripped her arms. “Sorry—Sophia—”
    “I’m sick of auditioning names already,” she interrupted. “Let’s go back to Jane. It’s simpler.”
    “If that’s what you wish.” He slung an arm around her shoulders. “For now, you require rest as much as anything else. Before you sign on to be my jack-of-all-trades, let’s just take things slow, okay?”
    She fought the urge to cuddle against him, out of relief, out of more of that blasted fear. Or other impulses she wasn’t ready to name.
    But she couldn’t quite stem the tears, so she ducked her head to hide them. “Thank you.”
    He tilted her chin up. For a moment, she had the sense of the whole world holding its breath, waiting.
    Sam exhaled sharply. Shook his head.
    And bent to place a kiss on her forehead.
    She sighed, too, unsure if it came from disappointment or relief.
    “Let’s go inside,” he said. “You should eat. Doctor’s orders.”
    Confused and tired but also jubilant to have made any sort of start, she only nodded and followed.

CHAPTER SIX
    J AMES SHRUGGED OFF his jacket, shoulders sagging. The meeting with the private investigator had been long and grueling. The man was reputed to be the best, but he fell a little short of insulting in his obvious cynicism about whether Bella’s continued absence could be attributed to foul play.
    James couldn’t seem to get through to the man how deeply they’d loved each other—
    And the instant he registered the past tense, he was struck by the sight of the wide, empty bed. Desolation swept over him with such force he nearly staggered.
    Dear God. He still loved Bella with everything in him.
    But he wasn’t at all certain that she loved him anymore. This very room echoed with their last exchange, frightening, most of all, because there had been so little heat in it.
    “You’re packing.”
    Calmly—too calmly—she’d folded a blouse, tucked it beside other garments. “I thought I’d get away for a bit.”
    “Good idea. Where shall we go?”
    Her shoulders stiffened. Her eyes, when they met his, were empty of any expression, and the dull gong of fear had reverberated within him.
    “I need to think, James.”
    “About what?” But he knew.
    Disappointment flickered, but she never said a word.
    “Bella. Look at me.”
    She shook her head.
    “Don’t do this, sweetheart. We can work things out. We just have to