This is from Chapter 5 of my latest release Then . . . you available in both Kindle/ebook and paperback.
(From Chapter 5)
She buttered a warm biscuit and dabbed some honey on it, savored the taste. She put a small portion of scrambled eggs on her plate and took a strip of bacon. “This is a treat, Stone. It’s rare when I eat a real breakfast. Thank you.”
“You’re welcome. I’m a breakfast junkie.” He shook some green Tabasco on his eggs. “Probably because I tend to eat early in the evening but rarely get to bed early. So I wake up hungry.” He stopped eating and talking and looked at her. Serious.
“What?” she said, intimidated.
“It’s weird talking to you. No one’s ever here. I’m surprised we’ve had a conversation.”
“Really? You seem really easy to talk to. I wouldn’t normally admit to just anyone all the stuff I said to you last night. I mean, I did of course owe you an explanation for the intrusion, but I could’ve opted to tidy it up a bit, I guess. That didn’t even occur to me. I do apologize for being such a wreck.” She felt the color heat her face.
He kept his eyes on her and took another bite of eggs. His stare did tend to unnerve her, but she did her best to hold his gaze.
“Your eyes are green,” he said.
“You walk with a limp. Your right leg. It’s permanent. Some atrophy from a serious injury.”
“Shattered the femur. Enemy sniper. He missed his target. Should’ve been my head. Hardware keeps it together.”
Her professionalism kicked in. “Please understand how I say this. A massage could help you. And by that I mean it could give your musculature some stimulus to increase the circulation, the blood flow, plus there are other specific techniques which could relieve pressure areas. I would love to help you.”
Her sincerity and business-like delivery impressed him, but she had no idea what her words actually said to him. He kept his eyes focused on her, trying not to watch her lips speaking them. He almost missed when the words ended. He continued to look her in the eyes for an extra couple of moments.
He finished his nearly full glass of milk in one large, quick gulp. “Understand how I say this: under the circumstances it probably wouldn’t be a good idea. But, thank you.” He said it quieter than he normally spoke and with a respectful consideration to his tone.
His look once again unnerved her while the flame consumed her entire face. She hurried and collected their plates and rinsed them in the sink.
Father, thank you is never enough for the stories you've given me. Thank you for these characters who touch my heart as they come alive in my mind and on the pages. Apart from you, I can do nothing. In the Name of Jesus, Amen.