Read Lightning Only Strikes Twice for Free Online

normal either. Things felt out of place, lending to the urgency that she needed to leave. She looked around the small room for an exit.
    “Would you like some water?”
    The gentle question drew her gaze back to the man. He hadn’t moved closer, but she felt trapped under his intense stare.
    “It’s okay,” he said. “I’m not going to hurt you.”
    Regardless of her apprehension, she heard kindness in his tone. Surely if he’d wanted to harm her, he could have done so while she’d slept.
    He stood and picked up a cup from a bedside table. “It’s only water.”
    She tried to moisten her lips, but her tongue stuck in her dry mouth. She nodded.
    He crossed to the bed, slid a large hand under her head and held the cup for her.
    The water tasted fresh, almost sweet, but before she could fully quench her thirst, he pulled it away.
    “Not too much at once,” he said softly.
    “More. Please?” The words scratched her throat.
    He lifted the cup and she grasped it in both hands. When he tried to pull it away, water dribbled down her chin.
    “Slow down,” he said. “Or you’ll get sick.”
    She took one last swallow, then let him take the cup. “Thank you.” This time her voice was less gravelly. She swiped away the water on her chin.
    “You’re welcome.” After setting the cup on the table, he returned to his chair.
    “Do I know you?” she asked, grateful her voice sounded more normal.
    The corner of his mouth lifted slightly. “We’ve met before.”
    She frowned. Her brain felt in a fog. “I don’t remember. Where did we meet?”
    He folded his arms and took a deep breath. “Well, here in White Rock, actually.”
    “Why can’t I remember?”
    “I’m sure you will.” He sounded much more confident than she felt.
    She tried to sit up, but the pounding behind her eyes forced her to move slowly. “I feel so strange.”
    “I’m sure you do.”
    “What happened?”
    The man scooted closer.
    She sensed he was anxious about something.
    “Annie, there’s so much to talk about. You’re going to have questions. I’ll do my best to answer them.” He glanced over his shoulder. “We don’t have much time before the doctor returns with your—with Paul.”
    “I don’t understand. Talk about what? Who’s Paul?”
    He motioned toward the doorway, his words coming out in a rush. “When Doc returns, don’t say too much about yourself. Okay? I want you go along with whatever I say.”
    “Why should I do that?” A strange request from a stranger. “Who are you?”
    “My name is Luke.”
    “Luke?” Somewhere she’d heard that name before. If she could only remember.
    “I can’t believe you’re here.” He smacked a fist into his palm. “This means everything is real.”
    “Real?” She had an impulse to escape, but wasn’t sure her legs worked yet. She scooted to the far side of the bed. “I don’t know you.”
    “I’m Luke Maxwell, remember?”
    Luke Maxwell?
    Like a breeze blowing away the dust, her mind cleared. “You’re the man those kids were talking about.” Another recollection followed. “You bought my property!”
    “Wow.” He leaned back in the chair. “You’re coming through this much faster than I did.”
    The touch of envy in his tone didn’t make any sense. “Through what? I don’t know what’s going on.”
    He took a deep breath. The movement pulled his dark-red tunic tight across his chest. His hair was longer and not as neatly trimmed as she remembered. The five o’clock shadow on his jaw looked like a permanent fixture adding something rugged to his unmistakable charisma and strength.
    Resting his forearms on his knees, he searched her face “What’s the last thing you remember?”
    Her insides squirmed. What was he looking for? She blinked at the strange question, feeling exposed. “I…” She thought for a moment. “Waking up in the forest. Why?”
    He shook his head. “I mean before that. Can you remember where you were before waking in the