9
Jana’s breath caught in her throat.
No one touched her arm. The last person had been an Army physical therapist three years ago.
But Jasper’s hand lay upon her skin as calmly as if it was the most normal thing in the world. She could feel herself switch from frozen stiff to blind panic.
“Easy, Jana. Just breathe. Okay? Just breathe.”
And somehow, his hand, lying so casually upon her hideous stub, let her do that. Let her breathe.
Jasper sighed. “The reason I don’t talk to you?”
She nodded, welcoming any distraction. His fingers began tracing lightly over her skin. Small movements, so tiny they probably weren’t conscious. But they stroked the skin by her elbow as if it was just…skin. Such a strange feeling.
“You were always so out of reach. Too old when I was kid. Then married to
