Free I Can See for Miles by Lisa Worrall

eye.” Josh took another deep breath and lifted his head to look straight in front of him. “What’s the next step?”
    “Josh. I’m not really comfortable with personal stuff,” Charlie murmured, starting when Josh moved closer, close enough to feel Charlie’s breath on his skin.
    “Charlie,” Josh said, low enough for only Charlie to hear. “You’ve had your tongue in my mouth, and I can still feel your hands in my hair. I think I’m already personal stuff.” Josh moved away just as smoothly, hoping to God Charlie couldn’t hear the pounding of his heart within his chest. He had felt the warmth from Charlie’s flesh close to his face and wanted to lean in just that little bit more and press his lips to the soft skin so badly that it stole his breath.
    “You’re not going to give up, are you?” Charlie sighed heavily at the shake of Josh’s head. “I have an appointment on Wednesday with my doctor. I don’t really know the next step until I see him. But I’m not expecting him to tell me anything I want to hear.”
    “My momma always says that you have to play the cards you’re dealt. That God never gives us more than we can bear,” Josh said, leaning closer again, wanting to make sure Charlie heard every word. “Just with the sound of your voice, I can see everything you just described, and more besides, you know? Like all the little things I probably wouldn’t have ever noticed if I could still see. You’re so lucky, Charlie.” He reached out, and his heart leapt with hope when Charlie put a hand in his. “The people that come through this camp would give their eyeteeth to have the sights you have stored away in that beautiful head of yours. Whether your vision is at forty, twenty, or zero, all you have to do is close your eyes and you can see for miles.”
    The silence between them seemed to last forever, and Josh thought he had gone too far until Charlie’s fingers tightened on his. He knew he could be a little intense at times, but he’d meant every word. His own sense memory was filled with cities and buildings and suburban streets. To have the kind of images Charlie had stored away must be amazing. He was glad of his spidey-senses as he felt Charlie’s gaze on his face, like a caress, and he couldn’t help but smile.
    “What?” Charlie questioned.
    “Are you checking me out again?” Josh teased in an attempt to lighten the moment, but Charlie’s response sent his stomach heading toward his shoes.
    “Josh… don’t… please.”
    “Boy,” Josh said lifting a hand and running it through his thick dark hair, unaware that Charlie’s gaze followed his movement. “Whoever he was, he must have really hurt you. That sucks, Charlie, and I’m sorry.” Josh eased himself to his feet and looked down at Charlie, his gaze tinged with sadness. “But you’re not the only one.”
    “Josh—”
    “Come on, everybody,” Jason’s voice boomed around them, cutting Charlie off. “Let’s get back on those horses and make our way back down the other side of the valley to camp. Then I believe we’ve got some swimming in the lake to do this afternoon.”
    Josh could feel Charlie watching him as he walked back the way he’d come, grateful for Greg’s fingers on his elbow when he met Josh halfway and guided him back to Mario and the horses. How the hell would he make Charlie believe that whatever this thing between them was deserved a chance?

Chapter Seven
     
    W HEN they reached the stables, Charlie instructed Jason to take everyone up to the main house and get Tom and Mike to take them down to the lake, while he helped the two stable hands sort the horses.
    “Are you okay?” Jason asked, bending his head and speaking softly into Charlie’s ear.
    “Yeah, I’m fine, just a little headache. Get everyone back to the house, and get the others to take them all down to the lake. I’ll join you when I’ve got the horses and the tack sorted out,” Charlie replied, leading Aramis into his