Blind Witness Read Online Free Page B

know it’s not necessary. I just thought it would be nice.”
    “I should be getting home,” Rachelle came back, her shyness still visible.
    “Of course, I should have realized you had plans. I’m sorry to keep you.” He felt bereft at the thought she had a boyfriend.
    “Oh, no, that’s not it.” Her correction came fast. “It’s … I hate to take up your valuable time.”
    “Don’t worry about it. If you don’t have anything planned why don’t you join me?”
    “I, I haven’t been to restaurants much since my accident.”
    “Then it sounds like the perfect time.”
    “You don’t understand. I might embarrass you.”
    “You could never embarrass me.”
    “A lot of people feel uncomfortable being around people with disabilities.”
    “I don’t.”
    ****
    Rachelle realized what he said was the truth. He never treated her any different. “I’m trying to give you an out here.”
    “I don’t want an out. I want to go to dinner with you.”
    She fell silent. “I still don’t feel very comfortable going to restaurants yet.”
    “This from a woman who handles a computer better than I could ever dream of.”
    “That’s familiar territory.” She shrugged it off.
    “How fast do you type?”
    “Approximately a hundred and ten words per minute. That usually isn’t necessary in most conversations though.”
    Britt shook his head. “Incredible, I get in the thirties, forty if it’s a good day. Let me guess you play the piano too.”
    “Yes, how did you know?”
    “That quick of fingers, you’re kidding.” He could see her slight blush brighten her cheek and he longed to reach out and run his finger along it. Rachelle Harris was a very compelling woman to him. “How about pizza?”
    “Excuse me.”
    “How’s pizza for dinner? It’s a good finger food, and who cares how you eat it?” When he could see a slight hesitation, he pressed.
    “Come on, I know a great pizza place near here and I’m starving. I’ll even let you choose, as long as it has no anchovies.”
    “Awe gee, and just when I had my heart set on little fish swimming in tomato sauce and cheese. All right, if you’re sure.” She sounded slightly breathless which was like a flash of electricity to his heart.
    “I’m sure.” He hadn’t meant to say it aloud, but when her blush deepened, he was glad he had.
    Two minutes later he pulled into the parking lot. Rachelle waited while he came around to get her. Her hand reached for his and he helped her out, before placing it on his arm. Instead of hesitating steps, she moved fluidly with him, giving her trust to him to guide her.
    Inside, the place was packed with people. Rachelle pressed closer to him as they were bumped into while waiting to be shown to their table. Instinctively, Britt slid his arm around her waist and was surprised when she turned slightly into his sheltering stance.
    “Busy night,” he said by her ear.
    “Friday night, date night,” she said back.
    “Yes, of course, I forgot.”
    “You didn’t have plans, did you?” she asked, tilting her head up toward his face.
    “No, just a quiet evening trying to unwind, but this is much better.”
    The edge of her bottom lip caught between her teeth but before more could be said, the hostess came to show them to their table.
    “If you’ll follow me.” The woman headed off leaving them to follow.
    Britt wasn’t certain how to move through the crowded room without Rachelle being tripped up, but she solved it for him. Shifting behind him, she rested one hand lightly on his waist. He reached back and caught her other hand, leading her around and through the crowded area with little trouble. She ran into his back once when someone stood in front of him making him stop short.
    “Sorry,” she apologized.
    “Not your fault. Someone stood up.” He shifted her around the table, away from the man blocking the way totally oblivious to their presence.
    The table they were led to was out of the way, in a quieter corner