To Love and Heal (The Power of Love Series) Read Free

more to it. She knew that behind the strong and quiet
outer visage, there was a soldier who had witnessed events too horrendous for
words, a man struggling to make the transition from hell on earth to the
"normalcy" of being back home.  And something told her the
situation felt anything but normal to him right now.  Anna's thoughts were
momentarily interrupted as Merlin, her gray tiger cat, jumped up on the bed,
rubbing his face against her arm in a plea for affection.  She gladly
obliged, scratching the top of his head and finding comfort as she always did in
the rhythmic drone of his contented purr.
    She glanced at the
clock, trying to motivate herself to get moving since she was supposed to be
meeting Steve in a mere thirty minutes.  She was glad that she had
insisted on taking her own car after he offered to pick her up for the date …
it would make for a quicker getaway if needed.  Stop, she said silently to
herself.  Give him a chance and maybe she would be presently surprised.
    Grabbing a white
knit sweater and her purse, she headed into the living room.  Caleb looked
up from where he had been kneeling by his toolbox, dropping a wrench inside at
precisely the same moment that Anna nearly skidded to halt just several feet
away. 
    "Oh – I'm
sorry!  I didn't realize you were still working."
    He stood up, her
eyes rising with him and liking very much what they saw.
    "It's your
house.  No need to apologize."
    "You do
realize that I don't expect you to work around the clock, right?"
    It took a few
moments, but he managed to smile.  "I actually packed up my tools a
half hour ago, but then I realized I left some in this room."  He
nodded towards the three-inch heels of her sandals.  "I wouldn't want
you tripping on a screwdriver or anything."
    She smiled, almost
relieved to see a slight grin cross his face as his eyes met hers with
surprising ease. "By the way, there are some lawn chairs and a fire pit
out back, so feel free to use them if you'd like."
    "Thanks."
    "Well, I'm
heading out for a bit," she said, trying unsuccessfully to hide the
awkwardness in her voice. 
    "I'll lock
the door behind me," he added as he nodded towards the entrance that
opened into the backyard. He paused, then turned back to her.  "You
know you should always keep your doors locked, right?"
    Initially taken
aback, Anna softened at the realization that his comment was merely a safety
precaution. "Yes – of course.  I left them unlocked today so you
could go in and out whenever you needed."
    "Good. You
never know who or what's lurking around the corner, even in a quiet area like
this."
    "You're
right. Well … enjoy the evening."
    "You,
too."  As she turned to leave, he added, "You look very nice, by
the way."
    She froze, glad
her back was to him so that he couldn't see the Cheshire smile on her face.
    "Thank
you," she said, suddenly feeling more like a schoolgirl than a mature
woman.
    As she glanced
back at Caleb one last time to share her appreciation with a smile, she could
only wish that she was meeting him at a restaurant instead.
     
    Steve waved to
Anna from an outside table at the Bistro Romano as she strolled up the
walkway.  He rose from his seat and pulled out a chair for her.
    "Thank
you," she said, genuinely appreciating his polite gesture.
    "You look
very nice," he noted.  She thanked him again, though she couldn't
help realizing how those same words had a much greater effect when they had
come from Caleb.
    Steve sat back in
his chair, exuding an air of confidence that Anna had surmised could easily
cross over into arrogance when the opportunity presented itself.  But as
the CEO of a lucrative investment firm, she knew a strong alpha personality was
a prerequisite to success.  She took a sip of water, discreetly studying
him as her eyes peered over the glass.  He appeared to have come straight
from work, his tall, lean-ish body clad in a dark gray suit, short blonde hair
parted on the side and frozen from an