Darkness Unknown Read Online Free Page A

and instantly the room seemed to shrink in size. Although there was no aggression in his stance, it was like watching a large predator establishing its territory. He had to still be hurting from the worst of his injuries, but there was no sign of it in the flex and play of his muscles under Chase’s shirt. And boy, Jarvis filled out that T-shirt in a whole different way than her brother did.
    Had the temperature in the room just jumped up twenty degrees?
    Jarvis came to an abrupt stop when he saw the table. His dark eyes lit up, and his mouth curved up in a slow grin. “Maybe I did die and go to heaven. Tell me you didn’t go to all that trouble for me? Although I’m not complaining a bit.”
    â€œI have a teenager in the house, Mr. Donahue. Cooking for him is almost a full-time job.” Still, his reaction pleased her no end. Chase blindly ate anything that she set in front of him; having a more appreciative audience was an experience to be savored.
    â€œPlease have a seat while I pour the coffee.”
    He pulled out the nearest chair and sank down into it, moving a little gingerly.
    â€œWould you like a couple of aspirin or something?”
    â€œNo, I’m better off without taking anything. I should be back to normal in another day or so.” He added three teaspoons of sugar to his coffee before taking a big gulp of the scalding liquid.
    â€œGo ahead and serve yourself. Chase should be along shortly.”
    â€œAren’t you going to sit down, too?”
    He made no move eat until she took the seat opposite him. She’d chosen it because it was the farthest away from Jarvis, not trusting the way she was reacting to his proximity, but now she had no choice but to look straight across the table at him.
    He was already pouring a generous amount of maple syrup over the huge stack of pancakes on his plate. Adding a sizeable serving of eggs and several strips of bacon, he looked like man intent on doing some serious eating after a long, lean period.
    The two of them ate in a companionable silence for several minutes until Chase came pounding down the stairs. When he entered, Jarvis stopped chewing and stared at the teenager with something like shock before he quickly schooled his features to a more neutral look.
    He definitely knew something, and she wasn’t going to let him get by with keeping it to himself.
    â€œChase, this is Jarvis Donahue. Mr. Donahue, my brother Chase.”
    Jarvis immediately set down his fork and stood up. He held out his hand to Chase and smiled. “Make itjust plain Jarvis. I’ve already thanked your sister for taking me in last night, but I know she couldn’t have done it without your help. I appreciate it.”
    Chase’s eyes flickered in her direction, waiting for her slight nod before accepting Jarvis’s outstretched hand. “You look a helluva lot better this morning than you did last night.”
    Jarvis grinned. “I’m sure those hounds of yours have dragged in better-looking specimens than me.” He sat down and picked up his fork again. “Sorry for starting without you, Chase, but it’s been a long time since I’ve had home cooking.”
    He was a charmer all right, but his remark still pleased her. Once again silence descended on the table as the two males concentrated on stuffing their faces. Oddly, it felt very comfortable to have this total stranger join them for a meal.
    As usual, Chase was the first one done eating. He pushed his plate away and stood up. “Nice meeting you, Jarvis. Glad you lived.”
    She sighed. “Chase, I swear one of these days…”
    He just grinned. “See you later, Sis. We’ll talk later, but I promised Mr. James I’d help him load the hay in the back field today.”
    â€œOkay. Be home for dinner by six.”
    â€œWill do.” Then he whistled for the dogs and tore out of the house, letting the door slam shut behind him.
    She loved