Silver Falls Read Online Free Page A

daughter, chosen for herself. If she were a different woman, she’d simply go with him, leaving everything behind, the proper black dress, the safe life, the perfect family she’d created. But she was doing this for Sophie, she reminded herself, who’d lived through enough chaos. She didn’t have a choice.
    She pulled away from him, more sharply than she needed to. “I think I’d better find out what’s going on. Are you coming in?”
    Only the ghost of a smile. “I think I’ll stay here for the time being. I don’t think anyone will be particularly happy to see me.”
    She stared at him a moment longer. There was something she was missing, something important….
    The kitchen door opened suddenly, and David stood there, looking distressed. “I thought I’d find you out here,” he said. “You need to come in. An other girl’s been murdered.”
    She froze, forgetting about the stranger behind her. “Another? David, what are you talking about?
    I haven’t heard about any murders.”
    He looked nervous, her sensitive husband. “I didn’t see the point of mentioning it, given what you and Sophie had just been through. Anyway, it’s not something we talk about here, particularly since the last one was years ago. We thought…” He peered into the darkness, and his voice sharpened. “Who’s that with you?”
    She looked back, and the stranger moved into the bright light. She couldn’t very well introduce him, since he hadn’t given his name.
    â€œHello, David,” the man said.
    Her husband turned pale. “Shit,” he said. The first time Rachel had ever heard him curse. “What are you doing here?”
    â€œHaven’t you heard the story about the prodigal son?” His face was expressionless. “Is this your wife?”
    â€œIt is,” David said, putting a possessive hand on her. Another anomaly—he seldom touched her in front of other people.
    â€œAre you going to introduce us?” There was just the faint taunt in his voice. Whoever the stranger was, David wasn’t happy to see him. And David was always unfailingly polite.
    â€œI don’t think so.”
    The man laughed. “You can’t keep her away from me forever. You know that.”
    â€œI can try.”
    â€œWhat the hell is going on?” Rachel said. “Why are you two having a pissing contest?”
    â€œOld habits die hard,” the stranger murmured. “Are you going to invite me in?”
    â€œNow isn’t a good time, Caleb,” David said stiffly.
    â€œIs it ever?”
    The damp night air had turned to rain once more, and Rachel had had enough. “My name is Rachel Chapman,” she said, seriously annoyed. “And of course you’re invited in.”
    â€œRachel Chapman Middleton,” David corrected her.
    The smile the stranger sent David was nothing short of a triumphant smirk, and he moved into the house, pushing David out of the way. David fell back, and there was no reading the strained expression on his face.
    â€œDon’t you think you could give the old man a break?” he said. “Just go away. Go back to whatever disaster zone you’ve been haunting and leave us alone, for God’s sake.”
    â€œWho’s there?” Stephen Henry’s deep voice could be heard through the closed door.
    â€œMight as well face the music, David,” the stranger, Caleb, said. “You want to do it together?”
    â€œI better warn him.” David pushed past him, shoving the kitchen door open. Leaving Rachel alone in the kitchen with the stranger who was no stranger at all.
    He gave her a faint, quizzical smile. “You’ll have to excuse me. I have some old acquaintances to renew.”
    She was tempted to stay put, or even better, go take her car and drive home. This was supposed to be a safe place, where murder couldn’t