Tiger Time Read Online Free PDF Page A

more pleasant waiting for her.
     
    She was stunned by her reflection. The dark circles under her eyes were gone. Her face was bright and cheerful again. She walked out of the bathroom and found Ty standing by the end of the bed, grabbing a shirt from a bag she’d never noticed. As she walked out, he looked over his shoulder and stopped midway through putting his deep red dress shirt on.
     
    “Tabitha, you look amazing.”
     
    Her cheeks heated in embarrassment. No one ever told me I looked beautiful, let alone amazing. “Thank you. I feel like a new person. It’s amazing what a good night’s sleep will do for you.” Her throat closed as she realized while she slept, her best friend was being murdered. I should have stayed with her.
     
    Ty finished buttoning his shirt. “The change is close for you, and once you go through it, you’ll feel better than you ever have. I’ll teach you everything you’ll need to know.” His words conveyed more than he was letting on.
     
    Ty buttoned his shirt, and Tabitha fought an overwhelming urge to rush to his side, to feel his strong arms wrapped around her again. She felt safe with him. She couldn’t take her eyes off the top two buttons of his shirt, which had been left undone so one could see a little of his chest—and an amazing chest it was. He didn't have an ounce of fat on him; every muscle was toned.
     
    She shook her head and told herself to get her mind back on matters at hand. “Let’s go get this over with. With Alice gone, I have nothing but packing to do before we leave. The sooner we can do this and pack, the sooner you can get back to your clan.” Everywhere she looked she thought of Alice. My whole life I’ve loved and lost people, maybe I’m meant to be alone? Or will going to Alaska change this?
     
    He took her hand, “It’s our clan. When I spoke to Raja this morning....” She must have given him a questioning look, because he stopped to explain. “Raja is my Lieutenant, my second in command.” She nodded, letting him know she understood and for him to continue. “Raja wanted me to tell you the clan is full of excitement that you have agreed to take your place among us. They are putting together a party of sorts to welcome you home.”
     
    People she didn't know were happy she was coming home. I can’t believe how much my life has changed in less than twenty-four hours. I lost Alice, and found people who consider me family.  People that obviously care about me.
     
    * * *
     
    Tabitha walked up to the nurses’ desk, and the nice nurse who’d been on duty when Tabitha had left the night before was still there. “I’m so sorry about your friend. I don't know how he managed to get in,” the kind nurse said in a gentle tone.
     
    Officer O’Malley came around the corner. “You finally had time to come down. You were called thirty minutes ago! Your friend was murdered, and you couldn't get down here any faster? What kind of friend are you?”
     
    The nerve of him to speak to me like that. He didn't know what I was going through. He didn't just lose the only person that ever cared about him. Before she could say anything, Ty spoke up, “Hey there, officer, we came as fast as we could. She was asleep when you called. She just lost her friend. There is no need to take that tone with her. She came down here to answer your questions, not be scolded.”
     
    Officer O’Malley looked shocked that someone would stand up to him. He was obviously a man used to yelling to get what he wanted. “You’re right. I'm sorry. I don't understand how he got in. The camera shows him just walking in past the nurses’ desk. No one was paying attention. The cameras caught what happened, and I sent another officer to arrest him. I just have a few questions for you, if you could give me a few moments of your time.”
     
    “Yes, I want to do whatever I can to help. She was my best friend.” She didn’t care for Officer O’Malley and his attitude, but at