Page 31 of A Curse On Black Lake
She pulls away, and I hate how my hand feels so empty and oddly cold. “Because Killian, our paths are designed to cross. I don’t know why, and I’m not going to waste anymore time trying to figure it out because I need to move forward.”
“Okay,” I tell her.This is one of the dumbest things I’ve done in a while.
“Okay, what?” she prods.
“I’ll help you with your apothecary, and you help me with the ranch, and … maybe I can clear my name in the process.”
Her shoulders drop.
“Are you relieved?” I ask her, starting to see that this is more than a mutual agreement to help with workload.
The corner of her mouth tips up, and instead of answering me, the clouds part again. The sun beams down on her, and she soaks it up like a sunflower.
“How do you know all of this?” I ask her.
“So many questions,” she drawls.
She tips her chin down and looks at me. “Can we save that conversation for another day?” Sadness passes over her eyes, and she looks away.
“Yeah.” I cough. “Sure.”
“Good.” She stands and Tiny hops to his feet, watching her expectantly.
I drop my hat back on my head and trail my eyes up her legs to the curve of her hips.
“What time should I be here tomorrow?” she asks.
“I usually start at five, but I’ll pick you up at 6.”
“No, five is fine. I’ll be here.”
“Hell no, riding your bike in the dark is asking to get hitagain.I’ll be there at six.”
“I’ll see you then.”
“Are you sure you don’t want me to take you home?” I ask her.
She shakes her head and gets her bike. “I’ll be fine.” She pauses. “And yes, I am relieved,” she says, looking me in the eye.
I nod my head, reluctant to let her go, purely out of fear that the psycho who hit her will come back, and she won’t get out of the ditch alive.
Eliana swings her leg over to sit on her bike, and Tiny happily follows behind her. “What if he follows me home?” She reaches down, scratching between his eyes.
“Make sure he doesn’t get hit and keep him inside with you.”
She smiles and pets his ears. “Thank you.”
I dip my head. That dog has never paid much attention to anyone except my dad and his job as a shepherd, to protect and herd the cattle. The fact he’s watching her like a hawk makes methink that whatever is brewing around here has something to do with her, and maybe having him isn’t so bad because animals know things we don’t and I’m going to trust the dog on this one.
Chapter thirteen
Eliana
Nowthatyouhavehim, you must stay close to him. It is the only way.
“I know you’re not talking about the dog,” I mutter while I finish giving Tiny a bath. “What do y’all know that I don’t? You can’t tell the future, so why do I need to stick so close to him? I’m doing everything you said I should. I’m doing what Grams asked of me,” I tell the Spirits.
They all start talking simultaneously. I take a deep breath, letting them work it out among themselves while I go to the apothecary, and Tiny trots behind me.
