Half Moon Hill Read Online Free Page A

here anyway?” The question had occurred to her while he was in the attic.
    In response, his expression darkened. “Why? Were you afraid? Think I had some evil plan I changed my mind about in the end?”
    Lord—way to make an awkward situation much worse, Anna. Even if something in his tone had sounded a little ominous. “No,” she said, unsure if it was the truth or a lie. “I just wondered.”
    “It was a judgment call,” he told her. “Swelling went down some, but not enough, that’s all. If it had gone down more, woulda saved me a hell of a walk with my arms full.”
    And despite herself, she resumed feeling a little weird to let him just leave like that. He’d been a jerk in ways, but he had helped her. Even when she’d been too stubborn to admit she needed help. So when he turned to depart again, she stopped him once more. This time with “Thank you. For taking care of me.” But—oh God, she immediately wanted the words back. The way she’d phrased it, mostly. She didn’t need a man to take care of her. She didn’t need anyone to take care of her.
    Yet he only said, “No problem, Daisy. But use the damn crutches ’til it feels better.”
    And then he was gone, the screen door slamming softly behind him.
    D uke followed the same path down to the stream that he’d taken every day for the past month or two since he’d gotten here. He carried the old metal bucket he’d found in one corner of the cabin, thankful that someone, a long time ago, had seen fit to put it inside rather than leave it out to rust in the elements. Sometimes it was the little things that made all the difference in life.
    Reaching the clear-running creek that provided his drinking water these days—as well as what he used to wash his few dishes, and a few times some clothes—he looked in the direction of the small lake it emptied into in the distance. Not nearly the size of Blue Valley Lake down below Half Moon Hill, it was more like a long, narrow pond—but seeing the sun sparkle on the surface lifted his soul a little. Not much, but he’d take what he could get these days. He drew in a deep breath, drinking in the peacefulness he’d found here.
    Though the area had felt a lot more peaceful before he’d run into Anna Romo in the woods yesterday. Damn, he couldn’t believe, of all the people who could be living in that big old Victorian, it was Lucky’s sister. What shitty luck.
    But then, his luck hadn’t exactly been great lately—or ever, really—so maybe this shouldn’t surprise him. Until now, he’d seen so little movement at the place that he’d just assumed some little old lady, or couple, lived there. It looked like that kind of house. Especially since it was so run down. He knew after taking her home yesterday that it was only run down on the outside—but still, the place’s appearance had given him an entirely wrong impression. What on earth did one girl need with a house that big?
    Whatever the case, now he just had to hope she’d keep her word. Not that she had any reason to—she barely knew him and owed him no loyalty.
    Just the same, though, he was going about his business today like normal, assuming nothing would change about the quiet existence he’d made for himself out here. And if she did tell anyone, like Lucky, or her other brother, Mike—well, he wasn’t breaking any laws, besides a little trespassing. Yet it would mean he’d have to explain himself and find someplace else to go—neither of which appealed.
    He had no idea how long he planned to stay here. Or where he’d go when the time came to move on. He hadn’t thought that far ahead. In fact, he was making an effort not to think about much of anything. And that was what made it easy to be here. He didn’t have to think. He didn’t have to answer any questions, or deal with other people, period. And he didn’t have to feel like some kind of pathetic charity case because his face had gotten fucked up.
    Surely you can understand