Free Second Sight by Carly Fall Page B

she made a mental note to read up on the science of the chip.
    “This isn’t much to go on.” She yawned.
    “Coffee. We need coffee. Come on, Ella. Savannah, let’s go.”
    He leaned over and lifted the dog’s halter, and Ella followed him out into the kitchen.
    “I’ll make the coffee,” she said.
    “I’m more than happy to. You’re the one who has been doing all the work.”
    She grinned as she pulled the grounds from the cupboard. “Not really, Zach. I’ve just been the typist.”
    “Oh, come on, Ella. You’ve been pulling search terms out of your ass for the past few hours.”
    They both laughed, and the sound of the coffee pot coming to life filled the kitchen.
    “I think we make a good team,” he commented.
    She studied herself in the reflection in his glasses and became surprised. Staring back at her was a smiling, happy woman. She hadn’t seen that side of herself in so long. She pushed her hair back to reveal the horrible scar, and the smile faded. Despite how this man made her feel, he would soon leave, and she’d be back to where she started—scarred and alone.
    As if he read her mind, he tilted his head to the side. “So what do you do here, Ella? Besides babysit unwanted men and rock climb? What does your life look like?”
    His voice had also softened, reeling her in with its selfless kindness.
    She poured the coffee into the cups and sighed. Zach reached into the refrigerator and pulled out the milk.
    “Is this right?” he asked.
    She smiled, thinking how observant and considerate he had been during his stay, despite his inability to see. “Yes. Thank you.”
    “Good.”
    He grinned as they sipped their coffee.
    “You haven’t answered my question, Ella. Am I prying? I tend to do that.”
    “No. No, you’re fine. As you know, I put my nose in other people’s business, as well.”
    He didn’t say anything but leaned against the counter and set down his coffee cup, then crossed his arms over his chest expectantly.
    “I-I pretty much stay cooped up in the house, except when I go to the store or rock climbing.”
    “No friends? Lovers? An acquaintance to have drinks with?”
    She shook her head. “None. I keep to myself. I’m wanted by the government, Zach. Frankly, I about have a nervous breakdown when I go to pick up groceries. I own a bunch of wigs, and wear a different one each time.  I’m terrified of being found.”
    “It doesn’t sound like much of a life.”
    She grimaced. “It’s not. But I’m alive. The utilities and the house are owned by one of Joe’s shell companies. My name isn’t on anything.”
    “So what do you do for fun?”
    “I guess I study things that interest me.”
    “Hmm … like computer hacking? I wondered how one goes from a nurse to a hacker.”
    “Exactly.”
    “Are there other things that pique your curiosity?”
    She frowned, surprised by his question. Could he really be interested? Let’s see. She was afraid if she shared her passions, he’d be bored to death. May as well start talking and see what happens.
    “I enjoy studying history.”
    “What time period?”
    “Well, for instance, I watched this show on a place that had been found in Jordan, named Petra. They say it had been a thriving city between 400 B.C. and 106 A.D. The whole thing was fascinating. They discovered water systems in an area where there wasn’t any water. Of course, the land had been prone to flash-flooding as most desert landscapes are, but they had built these dams to protect their city.”
    He listened with a furrowed brow as she described the housing and tombs the people of that time, the Nabateans , had carved into the sandstone. He seemed very interested in what she said, and looked as though he concentrated on her every word.
    It felt good to have someone listen to her, to be attentive to what she said. It inspired her to continue, wanting to share her knowledge with him.
    “The carvings on the faces of these buildings were so impressive. They