Stormy Glenn Blaecleah 4 Cowboy Courage

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loved bagels.
What? Neason gasped in shock, just as Brody had expected.
Have you lost your mind? I can t cook.
Yes, you can, and I fully expect you to. Brody pulled the toaster
out, plugged it in, then dropped a bagel into it. Once that was done, he
leaned against the counter and looked at Neason. You ve lost your
sight, Neason, not your ability to function.
I can t cook!
Is that because you ve always let your mother cook for you and
you don t know how to or because you re too lazy to cook your own
food?
Because I m fucking blind! Neason shouted as he slammed his
hands down on the table.
Are you swearing, Neason?
Neason s eyes, sightless as they were, still widened. No,
I& er&
I didn t think so. Brody smiled, knowing Neason couldn t see it.
I don t expect you to learn overnight, Neason, but I do expect you to
Cowboy Courage 57
learn. Being without your sight does not give you an excuse for not
living.
Neason s shoulders slumped as he leaned back in his chair He
seemed dejected and totally confused. I don t know what you expect
of me, he said softly.
Brody walked over to stand behind Neason, placing his hands on
the man s tense shoulders. He started gently massaging the stiff
muscles as he spoke. I expect you to try, love, that s all try. I don t
expect you to be perfect, and I certainly don t expect you to learn
everything overnight. It s going to take time to learn to live with
being blind.
Neason s shoulders tightened right up as he stiffened. I don t
want to learn to be blind. I want Neason sniffled. I want my eyes
back.
Brody wrapped one arm around Neason s wide chest then leaned
down to kiss the top of his head. I know, love. I wish I could make
that magically happen for you, but I can t. We can hope your sight
comes back, but we need to be prepared in case it doesn t.
Neason tilted his head back and turned it slightly to the side as he
pressed against Brody s abdomen. His hands clenched on the table.
Brody could feel the wetness from Neason s silent tears soaking into
his thin cotton shirt.
You re not alone, love, Brody whispered against Neason s hair.
I ll be here to help you. I won t make you do this on your own.
I don t know if I can do this.
You can. You will. I expect nothing less from you.
But what if I can t? What if I mess up?
You will mess up. Brody chuckled. You re human, Neason.
It s bound to happen. Brody moved around Neason and squatted
down beside him. He reached over and cupped Neason s face between
his hands. Just try, ask for help when you need it, and remember that
you re not alone. There are a lot of people rooting for you.
58 Stormy Glenn
Including you? Neason s words were barely audible, but his
milky green eyes darted around as if he were trying desperately to see.
Yes, love, especially me.
Neason let out a sigh as if he had been holding his breath waiting
for Brody s answer. He wiped his hand over his face then nodded.
Okay, then I guess you d better teach me how to make breakfast in
the dark.
Brody smiled as he stood. I hope you like bagels, because I do. I
have a bagel with cream cheese and fresh fruit every morning. I also
prefer juice over coffee. The caffeine in coffee makes my nerves jump
too much.
I can t function without my coffee.
We ll wean you off of it slowly. Juice is much better for you, or
better yet, water. Brody grabbed Neason s hand and pulled him to
his feet. He placed Neason s hand on his shoulder and guided him
around the island and into the kitchen.
You can spread the cream cheese on the bagels while I cut the
fruit.
Uh& okay. Neason just stood there as if he had never
considered he could actually do something in the kitchen.
Brody grabbed the cooling bagel and set it on the counter in front
of Neason. Next, he set the container of cream cheese in front of him
then handed him a butter knife. The bagel is directly in front of you.
The cream cheese is at twelve o clock.
Twelve o clock? Neason s forehead wrinkled as he frowned.
Like on a real clock?
Yes. Think of everything directly in front of you as if it s set up
like the hands on a clock. The bagel is in the middle of the clock, dead
center. Your hand with the butter knife is at three o clock. Your other
hand is at nine o clock. The cream cheese is at twelve o clock, and the
edge of the counter is at six o clock.
Neason s hand moved slowly, tentatively as he reached out to
touch each item. Brody grinned when he heard Neason mumbling the
Cowboy Courage 59
clock numbers. He didn t think it would take long for Neason to catch
on. Neason always seemed like an intelligent man to him.
The dinner table will be set up the same way, Brody said as he
started cutting fresh fruit into bite sized chunks. Your plate will be
the center of the clock. You cup will sit at ten o clock, your
silverware at three o clock. The knife always sits closest to the plate,
then the fork and then the spoon. If you always set things up the same
way then you always know where they are.
Neason s head snapped up. I m setting the table?
You are. I ll stack everything on the counter for you for the first
couple of days, but after that, you ll need to get them out of the
cupboard. I moved things around a bit to meet my needs. Your mother
and I don t do things quite the same. I ll show you where everything
is later.
Do you really think I can do this? [ Pobierz całość w formacie PDF ]

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