Prey (BookStrand Publishing Romance) Read Online Free Page B

he called after them, “but no re-washing the cutlery when I’m done. Do you hear me?”
    Gillian just laughed.
    Outside in the garden, she called to the dogs. They came running, Hank leading the pack. Jade sat down in the grass with Maggie and Hank sprawled out in front of her. She touched them sometimes and other times she just looked in their eyes intensely.
    It was impossible for Jade to explain the feeling to anyone, but communicating with animals was an incredible experience. Animals, both wild and domestic, didn’t think like humans, but that didn’t mean they lacked intelligence. Intrinsically linked with nature, their observations were utterly without judgment or self pity. Each creature simply loved being and accepted their lot in life with true grace. But animals were never fatalists. Jade knew that they understood nature and their place in it. They didn’t have questions about God. They knew. They understood. That knowledge gave them a serenity humans could never know. Jade was humbled by them and always grateful when they were willing to take the time and communicate with her.
    She wasn’t sure how long she’d spent with the dogs because just like them, she had a different awareness of time when she was with them. Finally, Jade thanked Hank and Maggie and stood up. The dogs collected Rags and went running off.
    Gillian looked like she could barely control her excitement. When Jade sat on the back porch stairs beside her, Gillian burst out. “That was cool! If I didn’t know what you were doing I would have thought you were just enjoying a quiet canine moment. I wish I could do that, know them that way.”
    “There’s no reason you can’t.” Jade said simply.
    Gillian frowned and shook her head, clearly mystified.
    Jade explained. “Your ability…if you touch me, you can experience what I feel, right? It would be nice to be able to share this with someone who understands.”
    Gillian’s eye’s lit up. “You wouldn’t mind?”
    “No, I wouldn’t mind,” Jade said in a gentle voice. “What do I have to do?”
    “First, I want to assure you that I will go no further than your communication with the dogs. I won’t invade your privacy.”
    “I trust you.” Those three words had never come easy to Jade but she spoke them easily to Gillian.
    Understanding the meaning of the word gracious, Gillian thanked her with a nod and in a soft voice said, “It’s really easy actually. You shouldn’t feel a thing. I’ll touch you and get what you want to give me.”
    Jade relaxed as Gillian reached out her hand.

Chapter 4
     
    Again, Jade lost track of time. She didn’t feel a thing. Gillian’s touch was so light, her exploration was psychically imperceptible. Jade wasn’t sure if she did it on purpose or not, but Gillian left a warm feeling behind when she retreated. It was beautiful.
    Tears ran freely from Gillian’s eyes as she whispered in awe, “You are so lucky. That was the most extraordinary thing I’ve ever felt and coming from me, that says a lot.” Her smiling face indicated even more. She positively glowed.
    Travis walked out in time to hear her words. He scowled. “Gill, are you talking about me again?”
    Gillian laughed through her tears. “Okay so it was one of the most extraordinary experiences I’ve ever known. Since I moved to New Crescent there’s a long list of them.”
    Still sitting on the porch stairs, Jade turned and leaned against the railing at the top. She put one foot on the stair on which she sat, and the other two stairs down, completely at ease. She looked up at Travis. “You want to hear what we learned? Or do you want to brag for a while, because if you’re going to brag, I’ll head out and you can start without me.”
    Travis made a childish face at her and that, along with his bed head hair, made him look ridiculously appealing. “Maybe another day when you have more time.” He lifted his head up and looked down his nose at her. “Spill.”
    Jade