In the Shadows (The Outsiders Book 1) Read Online Free Page B

relationship with his grandmother appeared undamaged. He had tried to forgive her manipulation, and told himself he was overreacting, but he hadn’t really convinced himself and could not forget. He knew he didn’t trust her as he had previously. He felt that her lie had been a smokescreen to hide something more—it was surely inconceivable that she had claimed to be dying simply to get him to stay. He wondered what had caused the fallout between his mother and grandmother. Jeannette would know what happened, and if she knew, there was a chance Simone knew. He decided he would go on the sightseeing trip with her and encourage her to talk. He sighed and shook his head. He realized he was growing impatient and edgy waiting around. That was one thing he’d always disliked about the village. At this time of year, most shops in France stayed open all day, foregoing the traditional two-hour lunch breaks, to accommodate the seasonal throng of tourists. Not so, however, in Reynier.
    The shopkeepers claimed it was merely tradition, but Dave’s grandfather always used to say it was because Reynier rarely drew in more than an occasional tourist. And it wasn’t on the tourist route for one basic reason. The six hundred or so residents didn’t want tourists invading their town. Dave understood and appreciated the peacefulness it provided. Reynier’s layout, although lacking a town square, was fairly typical of French hillside villages, with homes and businesses spread out over multiple levels, connected by stairways, cobbled roads, and walking paths. Reynier’s labyrinthine cave system in the hill, along with troglodyte cave dwellings sprinkled throughout, made it a bit more unique, although it wasn’t the only such town in France. He’d seen several others, and had heard of more that he hadn’t seen yet. It could have been a popular tourist destination and could have brought in some revenue for the locals. Apparently, the villagers had decided that the price of tourism was more than they were willing to pay.
    The chiming clock in the corner drew Dave out of his thoughts. He glanced up. Two o’clock. The clock was fifteen minutes fast, but his grandmother was typically fifteen minutes slow , momentarily amusing him at the two being a matched set. 
    When he entered the kitche n, she was by the sink, talking on the telephone. She saw him, quickly said her goodbyes, and hung up. “Sorry to interrupt, Grand-mère, but if we go now, the shops should be re-opening.” 
    “Thank you, dear boy. Let me gather a few things.” She ambled out of the kitchen.
    Dave followed her into the living room, where she searched the table beside the front door, sighed, and waved her hand. “What are you looking for?”
    She ignored him as she flittered around the living room and foyer. She stopped and stared at the closet, raising her arms. A soft sound of exasperation escaped her and she stomped over to the coat rack, picking up her suitcase-sized purse that was hanging from a hook. “Never mind. I found them.” She pulled out her bifocals along with her new pink and green flowered silk scarf, put on her glasses, and wrapped the scarf around her white hair, tying it underneath her chin. Reaching into the closet, she withdrew her new brown suede shoes, the ones she’d spent hours shopping for in the nearby town of Vendome yesterday. Dave shook his head in amusement as he watched her squeeze her thick feet into the dressy shoes to go walking along the sloping paved lanes.
    Thinking that his grandmother was ready to go out, he strode over to the front door. But in the foyer, she again stopped and studied herself in the mirror . She made a clucking sound as she tucked wayward strands of hair under the scarf. She finally walked out the door.
    Dav e followed her and closed the door, not bothering to lock it since no one here locked their doors unless going away on a trip. Turning his attention back to the street, he breathed in the fresh summer