A Lonely Sky Read Online Free

slammed a frosty mug on the counter and filled it from a nozzle. Then, leaning in close to her, he winked and whispered. “Heimo just tease you, Fräulein. Water, good. You get my draft, no?”
    “Drift.” The British man spoke. “It is ‘drift’ old man, not ‘draft’.”
    “Okey-dokey!” Heimo laughed as he walked away through the swinging doors. Julia reached for her water.
    “You’re American then?” The Englishman turned towards her.
    So much for being alone.
    She glanced over. He was rather handsome, well dressed in dark jeans and a white Oxford shirt with rolled sleeves. His thick dark hair was neatly combed away from his face, revealing kind, light eyes. He didn’t seem drunk or lecherous, just curious.
    “You do speak English?” He waited for her answer.
    He didn’t seem to be hitting on her, but if he was, she’d make a beeline to her friends. “I’m American.”
    The man smiled. He had thin lips, and his eyes crinkled just slightly at the corners. “What brings you to this sleepy little town?”
    Julia studied his face as he spoke. His eyes were heavily browed, yet his well-defined cheekbones gave him an aristocratic look. She placed his age somewhere between his late twenties or early thirties.
    “I’m here with my church choir,” she said. “We’re touring and singing in monasteries in Germany and Austria.”
    “Ah.” The reply was simple, as if he expected her answer. He reached into the pocket of a tweed brown jacket on which he sat and pulled out cigarettes. Placing one in his mouth, he turned to her again. “Mind if I smoke?”
    “No.”
    “You?” He offered her the package.
    “No thanks.” She politely waved it away.
    He replaced the package and lit the cigarette with matches from the bar. “Enjoying your holiday then, are you?”
    Julia glanced back at her friends. Kim, Bob and Chris lifted their glasses in another toast, oblivious to her existence.
    The man turned and followed her stare. “Your friends?”
    Julia reached for her water, taking a sip. “Yeah.”
    “Why then, love, are you sitting here?”
    Julia looked back at the man. His eyes showed no pity or condensation, just concern.
    “They’re drunk.”
    “Ah.” The man took a long drag on his cigarette, and watched the exhaled smoke fade into air. “And you don’t wish to join in the frivolity?”
    Julia sighed, embarrassed to explain. “We aren’t supposed to be in a tavern, and we have to be up early tomorrow for a tour of the town and to sing at Town Hall.”
    Flicking his ashes in an ashtray, he turned and donned a mischievous smile. “Well, love, your secret is safe with me. I won’t tell anyone you were out, getting soused and fooling about.”
    “Thanks.” She allowed herself a slight smile.
    “All right then,” he continued. “Since you’re stuck with me for company, may I ask your name?”
    Julia hesitated. Despite his apparent kindness, she knew to be cautious. Before she could answer, Heimo appeared from the back room, asking if refills were needed. His eyes fell on Julia and he smiled. “I see you met Mr. Movie Star, yah?”
    “Movie star?” Julia looked at the Englishman again. He certainly possessed movie star looks.
    He drew another drag on his cigarette and winked. “Don’t listen to a word Heimo says, love. I’m no bloody movie star.”
    Heimo refilled his drink. “Don’t let him fool you, Fräulein. This is Sam Lyons!”
    Julia rolled the name over in her mind, but couldn’t place it. “Are you a European actor or something?”
    Sam chuckled low, and extinguished his cigarette. “Don’t listen to the barman.”
    The couple on Julia’s right beckoned to Heimo for more drinks. As he tended them, Julia turned to Sam. “Seriously, are you an actor?”
    “You could say that.” He looked away, as if embarrassed.
    “What do you do?”
    “Stage work, mostly. Shakespeare. That sort of thing.”
    “Don’t let him be foolin’ you, Fräulein.” Heimo returned, pouring