Shade's Fall Read Online Free Page A

Lily questioned Shade. “What other places have you been to?”
    Lily ate while Shade talked about the different countries he had been to when he had been in the Navy. Listening, she was amazed that he had traveled as much as he had.
    “My dad was in the service so we constantly followed him from base to base.”
    “I bet that was fun.”
    Shade shrugged. “I didn’t mind, but my mother got tired of it quick. That was the main reason they divorced.”
    “I’m sorry,” Lily said sympathetically.
    “Don’t be. They both remarried and have happy marriages.”
    Lily finished her food, setting her plate on the table before curling back on the couch, watching as Shade loaded his plate with food again.
    Lily picked up the book about Alaska, flipping through the pages while Shade finished eating then took their plates to the kitchen.
    “I was going to do that,” Lily protested.
    “Finish looking at your book. I’ll take care of them.”
    Lily went back to looking through her book, only half-aware when Shade resumed his seat on the couch, looking through the other books on the couch.
    “You have several books here on Texas and Arizona,” he said.
    “Um, hm.” Lily turned another page before stopping. Her hands tightened on the book and her stomach turned. She gasped as a blinding pain struck her head again. She dropped the book to the floor as she tried to get to her feet to run to the restroom, feeling as if she was going to lose the food she had just eaten. That was the last thing she remembered.
     

Chapter 2
     
    Lily woke to a concerned Shade leaning over her. She was briefly disoriented at finding herself lying flat on the couch, but the realization of what had happened came back quickly.
    “Lily, are you okay?”
    “Yes, I’m fine.” She rose up, embarrassed, and Shade helped her back into a sitting position on the couch.
    “What happened?” Shade asked, his blue eyes searching hers.
    Lily put her hand to her head, but the pain was gone. “I don’t know. I was just looking through the book and suddenly got sick. Maybe I had a reaction to the food?”
    “I think if it was the food, it would have just made you sick, not faint.”
    “I had a terrible headache. I’ve had them on and off my whole life, but they’re getting worse. Do you think it could be from when I hit my head during the robbery?”
    “I don’t think so. Your doctor did several tests to make sure everything was clear. Beth insisted he was thorough since there is so much new information coming out about head injuries.”
    “I know. It’s just that I’ve never had two in one day before,” Lily said shakily, reaching for the bottled water sitting on the coffee table.
    “When did you have the other headache?”
    “On the drive home. I took a nap when I got home and felt better.” Lily sat the bottled water back on the table before reaching down to pick up the books on the floor, sliding them back into the bag.
    “I see.” Shade handed her one of the books, giving her a speculative look, which she didn’t understand. She slid the book into the bag without looking at it.
    “Is your headache gone?”
    “Yes.” Lily brushed her hair back from her pale face. She felt silly for passing out in front of Shade. She consistently seemed to have some incident or other in front of him, which made her appear to be a weakling.
    “Maybe watching something on television will take your mind off it.” Shade picked up the controller, flipping the channels until he found a comedy.
    Lily sat on the couch watching the screen until the show finally managed to draw her into the silly plot. She was still laughing an hour later when the program went off.
    Lily stretched, yawning.
    “Go to bed, Lily.” The friendly man who had sat and shared his travels with her was gone, and in his place was the same withdrawn man that she knew.
    “I am tired. Thanks for dinner, Shade.” Lily expected him to get up and leave.
    “Go on to bed, Lily. I’m going