Healer's Touch Read Free Page B

stairs with all the dignity her attire demanded. Entering the front hall, she saw who stood in the open doorway shaking hands with Aru, and all pretense of dignity fled.
    â€œGil!” she squealed in surprised delight, grinning as he winced. Tearing across the room, she pounced on him. Her arms wrapped around his neck, her legs around his waist and her lips fastened onto his with an enthusiasm altogether at odds with the image of the respectable woman.
    He tore his mouth away and laughed. “That’s quite the welcome, Viera.”
    She grinned and kissed him again, longer and more lingering, sliding down his length until her feet touched the floor once more. “God, Gil, you’re a sight for sore eyes. Is Lianon here too?”
    He winked. “Would you give her the same welcome?”
    She thought about it. “I might.”
    â€œAlas for her, then, she couldn’t accompany me. One of our mares is foaling.”
    Viera pouted. “Pooh. How long are you staying?”
    â€œI head back tomorrow afternoon. Hopefully all the really icky business of equine birth will be done with by then.”
    â€œYou’re welcome to stay here,” Viera offered, then blushed. Somehow she had slipped effortlessly into the role of lady of the house, when it wasn’t her house, and Gil knew she was no lady.
    Aru stepped in and saved her from her own big mouth. “Yes, why don’t you stay here?”
    â€œNo need. I never gave up my old place.”
    â€œIt’s probably full of vermin after all this time,” Viera pointed out.
    Gil smiled with half his mouth. “Rat’s been living there, keeping the place up for me.”
    Viera laughed. “What did I tell you—full of vermin.”
    From the corner of her eye, she could see Aru smile as her buoyant mood finally got to him.
    â€œI was just going to go get some supper,” said Gil. “You two want to join me?”
    â€œI have a patient,” Aru declined, his smile vanishing. Viera’s stomach did a bizarre little flop at the sight.
    â€œGo,” she said, laying her hand on Aru’s arm, trying to ignore the heat that poured through her palm at the contact. “I’ll stay here with Inella.”
    He stared down at her, his eyes narrowed. Heat flooded her cheeks and she felt a warm pressure building between her legs under his scrutiny. “What about your shopping?”
    She drew her hand away, closing her fingers over her palm as if she could hold to the sensation of tingling warmth. “I’ll go tomorrow.”
    â€œCome on, old man,” Gil coaxed. “I promise we won’t go to Heffie’s.”
    Aru flashed him a grin. It lit his face, made him so beautiful, Viera’s eyes started to sting. Biting back a curse, she blinked the moisture away and forced a smile. “If you could just stop by the hospital and tell Inella’s family they can visit. Make sure to give them directions.”
    â€œThanks, love.” Gil bent and kissed her cheek. “You look beautiful, Viera,” he added softly next to her ear. “The new vocation agrees with you?”
    She smiled despite a growing urge to crumple and start bawling like an infant. “Very much,” she said truthfully.
    He smiled down at her. “I’m glad, love. Really, I am.”
    She cleared her throat, her fingernails digging into her palms. “You ought to get going, if you want to get a table. Unless you really are planning on going to Heffie’s. Always plenty of empty chairs there.”
    â€œI’ll get my coat,” Aru said succinctly.
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    â€œSo, she’s living with you now,” Gil said around a mouthful of warm, white bread.
    â€œWhat?” Aru blurted, caught off guard. On the surface, Gil’s eyes were bland and innocent, but Aru knew better. The Emissary had the heightened perceptions of any man who lived by his sword and his wits. “Not exactly. I mean,