The Healer: First Touch Read Free Page A

his weight. I heard his breath, slow and even. I suddenly became aware that I was holding my breath. I gasped as I took quick, rapid breaths. My lungs burned. My chest rose and fell in fast shallow movements with the quickness of my breath.
    A slight breeze blew toward me and I caught a cool, musky scent. It reminded me of when Oma Clare would hang laundry outside to dry in late fall. She would make me bring in the dry, stiff clothing after it had been hanging outside in the crisp autumn air. I couldn't help but bury my face deep in the pile of clean clothing. The clothes were cool and clean but the fall air had mixed in aromas of dry leaves and sweet apples. I realized that the scent I smelled now was from him and my breath came in even faster gasps. My body tensed uneasily as I waited for his next move.
    There would be no outrunning him now, not with this injured ankle. The throbbing was excruciating, occasionally sending stabbing pains up my leg. I placed my hands around my injured ankle. It was already swelling around my ankle bone and my shoe felt very tight around my foot.
    If I scream, would somebody help me?
I looked around. There was no one on the boardwalk this morning.
Where is everyone?
I felt pangs of anger and irritation amidst the panic. Of course, there was just me and my stalker out here today.
Go figure.
    I felt light headed and dizzy and blinked my eyes to clear my vision. I needed to be able to think clearly so I could react swiftly if I needed to. My head spun and my stomach churned. Was it the pain from my ankle or the fast breathing? Maybe both, but I thought I would just pass out. My ears were ringing, and my vision began to tunnel, darkening my peripheral vision. I could only see directly in front of me. He was close enough to touch me now. And then he spoke.
    "You're going to hyperventilate if you keep breathing like that."
    "What?" I said. My head snapped towards him. I no longer felt light headed. The shock of his voice and his unexpected words jolted my senses.
    "You're going to hyperventilate if you keep breathing so fast," he said. "Take some slow, deep breaths."
    I just stared up at him confused by what he had said to me. Is
he trying to tell me how to breathe? Is that what stalkers do before they attack?
I didn't remember that from any the movies I had watched.
    He then began to breathe, slowly and deliberately. Cocking my head slightly to the side, I stared at him in bewilderment.
I think he's trying to show me how to breathe!
    I must have been holding my breath, because he then said, "Hey, I told you to take slow, deep breaths, not stop breathing altogether." He smiled. I took in a deep breath. And another. And yet another. My heart began to slow and the ringing in my ears softened. "Good," he responded. "You should try a few more."
    I stared up at him from my seat on the boardwalk. Dark jeans and a long sleeve black shirt graced his slender body as he stood with his hands on his hips. There was nothing threatening or menacing from his posture. I continued to breathe and found that I couldn't help but follow his instructions. His voice was deep and warm and he spoke softly. I knew, in an attempt to keep from startling me. There was nothing threatening about him. "Looks like you tripped. Is your ankle hurt?"
    I continued to stare at him.
Did he just ask me another question?
I couldn't be sure. His voice was mesmerizing, so comforting...so warm....so familiar. Had I heard it before? His rich voice washed over me like warm bath water. Something in his voice calmed me.
    Extending his arms towards me, he said, "May I take a look at your ankle?" I blinked in response. "May I?" He questioned again. "Please?" Raising his eyebrows, he held his hands out toward me, showing that he meant no harm. Still slightly confused, I nodded.
    He knelt down on one knee next to me. Bending over me slightly he said, "Let's take a look at that ankle, shall we?" He gingerly took my ankle in his hands to examine it. As