Carol Lynne [Cattle Valley 17] Neil's Guardian Angel (pdf)

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concerned they were a perfect match between the sheets.
* * * *
Ben insisted on going inside with Neil on his next physical therapy appointment. He
shook hands with Matt before gesturing to Neil. Did you know he could walk?
Matt glanced at Neil before nodding. He d be able to do even more if he d use the
damn canes I told him to buy.
Ben gave Neil s shoulder a reprimanding squeeze. That true?
Neil nodded, refusing to look up from the floor.
Ben returned his attention to Matt. Any special kind?
NEIL S GUARDIAN ANGEL Carol Lynne
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Matt walked over to the reception counter and scribbled something on a sheet of paper.
Here s the length he needs. Make sure you get something with a sturdy handle.
Ben tilted Neil s chin up and gave him a quick kiss. I ll run down the street to the
drugstore and see what they ve got.
Neil s bottom lip stuck out just enough to let Ben know he wasn t happy with the idea.
I don t want to look like an old man.
From off to the side, Matt began to laugh. Yeah, because a wheelchair makes you look
so much younger than a cane would.
Neil narrowed his eyes at the therapist before finally chuckling. Guess you re right.
Ben gave Neil s ass a playful pat. Be right back.
He turned and left the clinic, waving to Doctor Singer in the process. The walk to the
drugstore wasn t bad except he had to pass the bakery on the way. Damn.
Veering off his intended course, Ben stepped into the bakery and took a deep breath.
Something smells good.
Kyle stopped kissing the huge man leaning over the counter. Hey. He looked up at
his partner, Gill, and smiled. You ve met Ben haven t you?
Gill turned and held out his hand. Yep. We met last month when he came in for an oil
change. How s Neil doing?
Good. He s ready to move up to a set of canes. I was on my way to the drugstore to see
if they had any.
Kyle made a face. They do, but they re not very stylish. He held up a hand. Wait
here. He pushed through the swinging doors to the back and disappeared.
So, the big dedication is coming up. Have you talked Neil into going yet? Gill asked.
Ben shook his head. I haven t really pushed him on it. He s been going through
enough lately as it is.
Gill nodded. I can understand that, but I think he should be there. It s a pretty big
moment for all of us. We tend to do better as a community when everyone sticks together.
The ceremony is only open to residents and their guests, so he won t need to worry about the
media circus that happened at the memorial last year.
Although Ben remembered seeing the news stories on television and in the paper, he
hadn t even known Neil was living in Cattle Valley at the time. Did Neil go to the memorial
service?
NEIL S GUARDIAN ANGEL Carol Lynne
79
Yes, physically he was there.
Ben suddenly felt guilty that he hadn t even talked much about Gavin Lively s death
with Neil. I ll talk to him about it.
Good. That s all anyone can ask, Gill said.
Kyle came back into the room and Gill strode behind the counter to give his partner a
kiss. I ll see you at supper.
I ll be there. Kyle watched Gill leave with a dreamy expression on his face. Ben
wondered if Neil ever looked like that when Ben left the room.
Here. Neil can use these, Kyle said, holding up two elegantly carved wooden canes.
Ben took the canes and ran his fingers over the incredible workmanship. These are
gorgeous, but I think they re too short for my little bean pole.
Gill had Deacon McConnell make these up for me. He owns that little shop next to
O Brien s. I m sure Deac could hook you up with something special.
Deacon McConnell? You wouldn t happen to know if he was a Green Beret, would
you?
Deac? Kyle shrugged his shoulders. I don t think he s ever mentioned being in the
military, but come to think of it, he doesn t say much at all. Kyle leaned closer and grinned.
He s kind of surly, but I figure it has something to do with his leg being all messed up.
That description didn t sound like the happy man Ben had known, but it was worth
checking out. I ll go check it out, thanks.
Ben left the bakery and crossed the street. Down several doors was a small shop with a
sign that read Falling Limb Creations. Ben pushed open the door and stepped inside. He was [ Pobierz całość w formacie PDF ]

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