All Through the Night (Liar's Web) by Sandra Calhoune Read Free Book Online Page A

seem to have any conditions on it.
    “ And as far as choosing, it seems to me that they already chose you the moment they brought you home.”
    She hung her head low, avoiding making eye contact with him. He'd shamed her, pure and simple. She knew her parents loved her just as much as Lenny. She knew it with every fiber of her being. But sometimes there was something inside her making her feel as if she weren't a whole person. It was unsettling to go through your whole life without knowing anything about the people who'd given you life.
    Not having any information about her birth parents and the circumstances surrounding her adoption made her feel insecure. Unwanted. Untethered. Trueblood was right, she realized. She needed to accept her adopted parents' love unconditionally and explore her own feelings to uncover why she felt unworthy of their love. It was dangerous and unfamiliar territory for her, but it had to be done.
    “ You're right,” she acknowledged. “I couldn't be more loved by my parents.” She finally made eye contact with Trueblood, a move she instantly regretted as she drank in the sheer beauty of his onyx-colored eyes. It startled her to the point where she was forced to look away.
    “ I'd give my right arm to have parents like that,” Trueblood said in a wistful voice. He cleared his throat and turned his head to look out the driver's side window. “I lost my mother when I was a teen and my father…well, let's just say he was never father of the year.”
    “ Point taken,” she murmured, feeling humbled by Trueblood's honesty.
    Within seconds they were back on the road and driving toward the more rural part of town. After making their way down several narrow dirt roads they pulled up at a beautiful log cabin home. After stepping from the car, she took a moment to drink in the rustic charm of Trueblood's house while he busied himself collecting her luggage. When she offered her help with the bags, he shrugged her off, allowing her more time to give his home the once over.
    If she wasn't mistaken, this property was a former ruin owned by an eccentric recluse in town. It was amazing what he'd done to restore the home from a wreck into a stylish home. As a realtor she was impressed by the sleek design of the cabin and the unique stonework by the front porch. The pebbled walkway added an element of grace to the masculine design of the home. Two over-sized Adirondack chairs in contrasting colors of red and orange sat on the porch, lending a vibrant, welcoming air to the place.
    “ What you've done is amazing,” she gushed as Trueblood walked toward her carrying her luggage. “I remember seeing this place a few years ago. Most buyers wouldn't touch it with a ten-foot pole.”
    “ Thanks. I have a buddy who's a contractor, and he came down from San Antonio to help me build this place. Lots of others like Case and Drew helped out on weekends. Sometimes it takes a village to make things happen.”
    “ Who's the architect?”
    The corners of his mouth twisted wryly as he said, “You're looking at him.”
    Darcel couldn't hide her surprised expression. She would never have guessed Trueblood had designed his beautiful home. It seemed the Sheriff of Liberty Creek was way more talented than he let on. Crime fighter. Ball buster. Architect.
    A small chocolate lab came bounding over to them from the backyard, his excitement evident at seeing his master and a guest. After jumping on Trueblood, he focused his energy on Darcel, yipping at her heels and running around her in circles.
    “ Down, Bonkers. Sit,” he commanded with a simple hand gesture.
    Bonkers didn't seem interested in following any of his owner's commands. The puppy was having a field day making her acquaintance as he alternated between sniffing and licking her.
    “ Bonkers,” she said with an easy laugh. “I wonder where that name came from.”
    “ It's a perfect name for him because he's a maniac,” he explained as he lifted the puppy into