Dark Sky by Carla Neggers Read Free Book Online Page A

him to go further, they’d have to have a talk—he’d want to know exactly why she was interested in vigilantes. With six days and counting since Ethan had turned up asking about Bobby Tatro—and almost a month since Tatro was released from prison—and no sign of him, she doubted that a heart-to-heart with Cipriani would be necessary. In two days, it’d be October. A whole new month. Maybe she’d heard the last of Tatro, vigilantes and Ethan’s secret mission.
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    After a morning picking pumpkins and chasing a few stray chickens back into their pen in the barn—a humane pen—Wendy Longstreet treated herself to a glass of fresh-pressed apple cider on the steps of the side porch. Spaceshot was flopped on his back in the grass. No one was around. Her grandparents, her uncle Jeff and her uncle Will were all off at job sites. Even her uncle Sam, who was usually around working on the machinery and tending to the barn and greenhouses, had driven to town for parts. Wendy was to deal with any passersby who stopped to buy a pumpkin or who wanted to pick apples. It was the end of September, and the leaf-peepers were out in full force.
    A truck pulling a small camping trailer turned into the driveway. The truck had an Arizona plate, which Wendy noticed right away because it was unusual to see one in Vermont. She got up, leaving her cider glass on the steps.
    The driver got out, a tall, rangy man with a shaved head. He had on a denim jacket, jeans and running shoes, and he waved to her. “Afternoon.”
    Spaceshot stirred but didn’t get up. With all the coming and going at Longstreet Landscaping, he didn’t trouble himself to investigate every arrival. Wendy smiled at the man. “Can I help you?”
    â€œI’m new in town. Name’s Matt Kelleher. I heard that you all were looking for temporary hires. Anyone around I can talk to?”
    Wendy didn’t want to tell him no. That was one of the rules her father had drilled into her—never tell a stranger she was alone. “Everyone’s busy right now, Mr. Kelleher.”
    â€œThat’s okay. I don’t mind waiting.” He smiled, as if he knew she was nervous and wanted to help her to relax. “I’ll just sit in my truck.” He nodded at Spaceshot. “That’s some lazy dog, huh?”
    â€œHe’s old,” Wendy said, smiling tentatively back at him. With his shaved head, she found his age hard to guess—forty, maybe? She had no idea. He had lines at the corners of his eyes but none of the puffy bags older men often had, and while he wasn’t handsome, he wasn’t horrible-looking, either. His nose was kind of big, and his chin was pointy. He looked okay when he smiled.
    â€œYou work here?” he asked her.
    She nodded. “But I’m family—Wendy Longstreet.”
    He squinted at her against the bright autumn sun. “Shouldn’t you be in school?”
    â€œI graduated in June.”
    â€œNot going to college?”
    â€œNo, I am. I’m applying early decision to several schools.” She didn’t want to get into the homeschooling and finishing her requirements for graduation a year early details. “I was going to work on my essays this afternoon.”
    â€œDon’t let me keep you. What do you want to major in?”
    She lowered her eyes, as if he might not see her hesitation that way. “I’m applying as a premed student.”
    â€œNo kidding? You want to be a doctor?”
    She shrugged. “Sure.”
    â€œThat’s a tough row to hoe. I didn’t go to college. I got married right out of high school—” He stopped himself, looking out at the hills, the autumn leaves turning fast now. “My wife died in June. Cancer. Hell of a way to go.”
    â€œI’m sorry,” Wendy said, meaning it. He seemed so sad.
    â€œWell, we had a good twenty years together. I try to remember that. We