Moon Shadows Read Online Free

brought along. She’d know in another few days. And if the newest dose didn’t work, another would eventually.
    She’d never stop trying.
    Once she’d thought she’d go insane. But she hadn’t. She’d wondered if death was the only escape, but death was the coward’s way. She’d overcome her own disbelief, doubt, and despair. She’d beaten loneliness and anger and grief.
    What was left was determination.
    â€œCould be worse, right?” she murmured to Amico, lazily stroking his fur as they both drowsed in the dappled light. “It could be a couple hundred years ago. Then I’d be hunted down by the villagers and shot at with silver bullets.”
    She drew out the heavy cross she wore under her shirt. “Or it could’ve killed me.” She turned the silver so it caught a wink of sunlight. “Being dead’s a hell of a lot worse than eating egg salad in the woods in the afternoon. But lazing around here isn’t getting any lab work done.”
    She gave Amico a quick rub before she stuffed the trash and her travel mug into the canvas sack she used as a lunch bag. Wandering back, she took time to pick some wildflowers, some berries, all useful in her work. When her gathering bag was full, she cut through to take the short way home.
    She caught the scent along with Amico. Both woman and dog went on alert, and as Amico let out a soft, warning growl, she laid a hand on his head.
    She needed a minute to muster her defenses before she walked out of the woods to face the man she most wanted to avoid.
    He stood by a truck, so much shinier, so much trimmer than hers, it looked like a toy. The sun gilded him, or so it seemed to her, so that the light shimmered around him, caught at the ends of his hair and lit him like a flame.
    Desire burst through her like a flood, carrying the dangerous debris of love and hope and longing. It would swamp her if she allowed it. Drown her.
    So she wouldn’t allow it, any more than she’d allow herself to hide in the woods like a frightened rabbit.
    She spoke quietly to Amico, releasing him from his guard stance so he could trot forward and greet the visitor.
    He glanced over at the dog’s approach and grinned the way she knew animal lovers grinned at big, handsome dogs.
    â€œThere you are, big guy. How’s it going? Whatcha doing?” He leaned over to stroke and scratch, and Simone felt saliva pool in her mouth at the way his hands glided over fur.
    â€œWhere’s your girl?” He looked up, spotted her. “Hi.”
    â€œHello.” She crossed the lawn, keenly aware of the warmth of the sun, the tickle of the breeze on her skin. The scent of his soap—just a hint of lemon there.
    â€œBeen out for a walk? Gorgeous day for it.”
    â€œYes.”
    There was cinnamon on his breath, sweet and appealing.
    â€œI was about to dig up some paper, leave you a note. I had a house call nearby. Anemic goat.”
    â€œOh.”
    â€œNice place. Quiet. Great house. Got any coffee?”
    â€œAh . . .” She appreciated direct; it saved time. But she hadn’t been expecting it. “No, I don’t. I don’t drink it.”
    â€œAt all? Ever? How do you stay upright? How about tea? A soft drink? Water? Gatorade? Any social beverage I can use as a prop to have a conversation with you.”
    â€œAbout what?”
    â€œPretty much anything.” The breeze ruffled through his hair like gentle fingers. “Come on, Simone, don’t make me slash my own tires so I can ask to use your phone.”
    â€œDon’t you have a cell phone?”
    He grinned again, and shot a few more holes in her shield. “I’ll claim the battery’s dead. It might even be true.”
    Safer, smarter to send him away, she reminded herself. But where was the harm, really?
    â€œI have fresh lemonade.”
    â€œI happen to love fresh lemonade.”
    She turned toward the house,