Read A Heartbeat Away for Free Online

straw beside him.
    â€œHere,” she said, still giggling. She wiped strawberry from his forehead with her index finger and quickly dropped her finger between her red lips and sucked the juice with a noisy smack. Then she moistened her finger with her tongue and wiped it across his face, cleaning his eyebrow of crimson juice. Leaning closer, she laid her finger against his lips. Without thinking, he closed his lips around it, tasting the strawberry on her skin.
    She pulled her finger away but let it trail across his chin. He leaned forward. Go ninety percent , he reminded himself.
    It was good advice. She went the extra ten.
    Her lips were spongy, warm, and tasted of strawberry and sweat. He knew only what he’d seen on TV since their furlough had started, but kissing Emily seemed easy.
    And heavenly.
    â€œI’m falling for you, Christian Mitchell,” she whispered.
    â€œAnd why would you do that?”
    She giggled and shrugged. “What’s that phrase you always use? I think it’s a God thing.”

    Tori dreamed the smell of sweat and whiskey, the sound of a woman’s cry and the thump-thump-smack of physical assault, and the sight of a bare bulb hanging at the end of a dim hallway.
    He’s in there.
    Someday I’ll make him pay.
    A man with a bay-windowed belly yells in her face, spraying spittle from teeth rotting from meth.
    She retreats. A stairway is on her right. If I can just make it.…
    A shove.
    Falling.
    Searing pain in my left ankle.
    My foot isn’t supposed to face that way.
    Tori startled awake and wiggled her ankle. She sighed and struggled to sit up. Just a dream.
    She pushed an IV pole toward the bathroom. Once there, she stared at her reflection in the mirror. Light-brown hair in need of shampoo curled in a tangle beside pale cheeks.
    I’m a ghost. Maybe I can get Charlotte to bring my mascara.
    She gently touched the pink scar that began at the lowest point of her neck and dived into the front of her hospital gown.
    She toweled beads of sweat from her brow. What’s happening to me? How can a nightmare seem so real when I know it’s just a dream?
    She pulled down the front of her gown. Will I ever get to wear a low-cut top again? She sighed. Not without feeling self-conscious.
    â€œKnock, knock.” It was Jarrod’s baritone voice.
    â€œIn here.” She washed her face and stepped back into her room. “Hey you.” She smiled. “On rounds again?”
    â€œTouché. No.” He seemed to be staring at her scar.
    She gathered her gown beneath her chin and sat in the recliner chair beside her bed.
    â€œI’m on my own time.” He hesitated.
    She let the silence hang between them, not minding the quiet.
    â€œI’ll get right to it,” he said, clearing his throat. “I know you need a place to live. I want you to come to my place. I have an in-law suite. It’s all yours.”
    She studied him for a moment. He kept smoothing his white coat against his leg. “I don’t think so, Jarrod. Things aren’t like they used to be.”
    â€œBut I want them to be. I screwed up, Tori. I should have been around. Let’s start over.”
    She raised her eyebrows. “Start over by me moving in? That hardly seems appropriate. What about your new girlfriend?” She paused. “This hospital has ears, you know.”
    He looked down. “Didn’t work. Way too emo for me.” He sighed. “You know I don’t do touchy-feely.”
    â€œI know. And I’m honored. I’m glad you want a new start. That feels good to me.”
    He appeared startled. “That feels good?”
    â€œSure.”
    â€œI’ll prepare the room.”
    â€œI’m not moving in, Jarrod. That doesn’t feel right. In fact, that makes me feel …” Her voice trailed off until she found the right word. When she said it, the surprise of it made her laugh.