Moon Shadows Read Online Free Page A

careful to keep the dog between them. “I don’t know of any goats, anemic or otherwise, in the neighborhood.”
    â€œI only had to drive eight or nine miles out of the way to be in the neighborhood. It really is a great house. Kinda spookyand mysterious with those gables and their witch’s-hat roofs. I like spooky old houses.”
    â€œSo do I, apparently.” She took him around the back so they’d enter directly into the kitchen. When she took the key out of her pocket, he made no comment. But she could see in his eyes he wondered why she’d bother to lock up just to take a walk in her own woods.
    â€œWow.” He took a long, sweeping glance at the kitchen, its long counters, sparkling enamel pots, the hanks of hanging herbs, the bottles and bowls all lined up like a military parade. “Some room. Smells like a garden, and looks like one of those kitchens you see on TV cooking shows.”
    There were two backless stools at the center island. Gabe slid onto one comfortably, while he continued to study. The cabinets were all fronted with pebbled glass. Through it he could see more bottles, all precisely labeled. More of what he assumed were cooking tools, supplies, ingredients.
    Dishes were limited to a couple of plates and bowls, a few glasses and cups. From the looks of it, he thought, the lady didn’t do much entertaining.
    â€œHow’d you get into herbs?”
    She took down one of the glasses before going to the refrigerator for the pitcher of lemonade. “An interest of mine I decided to turn into a profit.”
    â€œI went by your store yesterday. Classy place. Interesting, too. The main thing I know about herbs is oregano tastes really good on pizza. Thanks.” He took the glass she offered. “What’s that?”
    He nodded toward one of the hanging herbs.
    â€œPrunella, also called heal-all.”
    â€œAnd does it? Heal-all?”
    â€œIn a gargle, it’s good for sore throats.”
    â€œHe’s watching you—and me.” Sipping lemonade, Gabe glanced at Amico. “Waiting for you to tell him if he can relax or if he should stay ready to escort me out. I’ve never seen a dog more tuned to its master.”
    â€œMeaning I haven’t decided whether to relax or escort you out.”
    â€œPretty much. The thing is, I felt, well, this pop the otherday, soon as I saw you. This kind of It’s-about-time-you-showed-up deal.” He shrugged, bumped the toe of his high-top on the side of the counter as he shifted. “Sounds weird, but there it is. And it seemed to me you felt something, too.”
    â€œYou’re attractive,” she said evenly. “My dog likes you and his judgment’s excellent. Naturally, there’d be some interest. But—”
    â€œWe don’t have to get into buts, do we, and muck it all up?” He propped his elbows on the counter. He had long arms, she noted, and a few fresh scratches on the back of his left hand.
    â€œLet me give you a quick rundown. Thirty-three, single. Brushed close to the concept of marriage once, but it didn’t stick. Grew up a city boy with a country boy’s heart, and can’t remember not wanting to be a vet. I’m a good one.”
    â€œI saw that for myself.”
    â€œDoesn’t hurt to reinforce. I like baseball and action flicks, mystery novels. And I’m probably a little overattached to The Simpsons , but I don’t see anything wrong with that. Hurts no one. I can cook as long as it means a microwave, and the biggest crime that I’ll admit on such short acquaintance is copying Ursella Ridgeport’s answers for a U.S. history final in high school. We got a B.”
    She wasn’t used to being charmed, or surprised. He was managing to do both. “But . . .”
    â€œTough nut.”
    â€œI don’t really socialize.”
    â€œIs that a hard and fast rule or more of a blueprint? Because