Donovan's Child Read Free

will answer and see that you get anything you need.”
    â€œI know I’ll be very comfortable. Thank you.”
    â€œI had your suitcases unpacked for you.”
    She gave him a wry smile. “You assumed I would stay?”
    â€œI did, yes.”
    â€œI have to tell you, it was touch and go back there in the studio. Your boss can be rude.”
    Apparently, Ben felt no obligation to leap to Donovan’sdefense. He spoke in his usual calm, unruffled tone. “Don’t let him run you off.”
    â€œI won’t. It’s a promise.”
    â€œThat’s the spirit.” Did he almost smile? She couldn’t be sure. “Drinks at seven, just you and Donovan.”
    â€œThat sounds really fun.” She said it deadpan.
    Ben took her meaning. “Only if you feel up to it. If you’d prefer, I can have something sent here, to your rooms.”
    â€œI definitely feel up to it.”
    â€œExcellent. If you follow either the courtyard breeze-way or the interior hall in either direction, you’ll eventually reach the front living room off the main entrance. Or you can simply cross the courtyard. It’s chilly out, but not too bad.”
    â€œI’m sure I can find my way.”
    â€œGood, then. If you need anything—”
    â€œI know. Press the red button on the house phone.”
    â€œI’ll see you at dinner.” He turned to go.
    â€œBen?”
    He paused in the doorway, his back to her.
    â€œI had no idea Donovan was in a wheelchair.”
    A silence. And then, reluctantly, he turned to her again. “Yes. Well, he’s very protective of his privacy lately.”
    â€œA little communication goes a long way.”
    â€œYou should be discussing this with him.”
    â€œProbably. What happened to him?”
    Ben frowned. She was sure he would blow her off—or tell her again to ask Donovan. But then he surprised her and gave it up. “You may have heard about the ice-climbing accident.”
    â€œJust that there was one.”
    â€œHe fell several hundred feet. Both legs sustained multiple fractures. His right tibia was driven up through the knee joint into the thigh.”
    She forced herself not to wince. “So…it’s not his spine? I mean, he’s not paralyzed?”
    â€œNo, he’s not paralyzed.”
    â€œWill he walk again?”
    â€œIt’s likely. But with…difficulty—and I’ve said more than enough. Seven. Drinks in the front living area.”
    And he was gone.
    Abilene got out of her tired traveling clothes and jumped in the shower. In twenty minutes, she was freshened up and ready to go again. She considered exploring the house a little but decided to ask Donovan to show her around personally later. It might be a way to break the ice between them.
    If such a thing was possible. The man was as guarded as they came. She had her work cut out for her, to try to get to know him a little.
    Stretching out across the big bed, she stared up at the ceiling fixture, which consisted of tangled bits of petrified wood interwoven with golden globe-shaped lights that seemed strung on barbed wire. With a sigh, she let her eyes drift shut. Maybe what she really needed about now was a nice little nap….
    The faint sound of her cell ringing snapped her awake. She went to the sitting room to get it. The display read Mom.
    She answered. “I’m here. Safe. Don’t worry.”
    â€œJust what I needed to know. Your father sends his love.”
    â€œLove to him, too. Did Zoe and Dax get away all right?” Saturday, which had been New Year’s day, Abilene’s baby sister had married her boss and the father ofher coming baby. The newlyweds were to have left for their honeymoon on Maui that morning.
    â€œThey’re on their way,” her mother said. “Dax says to say hi to Donovan.” Zoe’s groom and Donovan were longtime acquaintances. “And your sister says to