Devil Moon by Dana Taylor Read Free Book Online Page B

and stories had been added as needed, constructed from whatever materials had been available at the time. Plywood and corrugated metal had come in handy for walls, along with the natural logs from the surrounding hills. Uneven stairs led up to three separate entrances, none of which appeared to be a proper "front door."
    Surrounding the building were assorted vehicles that appeared to be missing many vital parts. To the left were two carports shielding sparkling custom-made cars, one painted turquoise blue, the other a gleaming burgundy featuring fancy flame decorations. These were obviously Mr. Finn's competition vehicles. Maddie shook her head at the priorities of people. His daughter wore thrift store cast-offs while his cars looked like a million bucks. Finn's wrecker and a pickup truck sat parked next to a doghouse bearing the sign Hell Hounds .
    Several assorted dogs started barking up a storm, disturbing the three black cats that sprawled on a stairway. A tremor of terror quivered in Maddie's stomach as the dogs approached her car. Big, black dogs always brought forth a frightened response since she'd been attacked by a neighbor's Labrador when she was five years old. When two large paws and a monstrous head appeared at her window, she had to fight the urge to throw the car into reverse and make a mad dash for paved roads. Her heart thumped a fearful rhythm in her chest.
    A door banged opened at the house and a thin, sandy-haired man in need of a haircut came out looking suspicious and hostile.
    Reba quickly opened the door and yelled, "It's me, Pa! Miss Harris brung me home."
    His whole demeanor changed as he watched Reba getting out of the car. Finn smiled, shoved his hand through his hair and started down the stairs, yelling at the curs to shut up.
    "It's about time you got home. I was 'bout to send the dogs out for you."
    Behind him from the open door poured out the Finn children, two boys and a girl. An overweight woman dressed in a tank top and shorts followed, obviously the mother. She balanced a robust baby boy on one hip and held a cigarette in her other hand. She had probably been pretty once, but too many children, carbohydrates, cigarettes and beers had taken their toll.
    When her parents made it to her side, Reba introduced them to Maddie. "Miss Harris, this here is my pa, Wade, and my mom, Ginger."
    Wade walked around to the driver's side. "'Preciate you giving Reba a lift. She can be so dad-gum slow, she misses the bus."
    "I'm happy to help," Maddie said.
    Wade rubbed his hand over the smooth top of the cream Camry. "Nice car." Hollering to his wife, he said, "You'd like one of these babies, wouldn't you, Sugar?"
    Ginger smiled, revealing two lost side teeth. "You bet."
    Maddie imagined all the Finn children trashing out the inside of her beloved car and inwardly shuddered.
    Wade bent down and rested his elbows on the opening where the window was rolled down and said, "You must be the teacher that lives off the main road. Reba always points out your house when we drive by. She seems to have taken a shine to you."
    Wade leaned uncomfortably close to Maddie and she pulled back as far as she could. His eyes inspected her and the car interior. She nearly gagged at the smell of smoke on him and felt equal repulsion by the stains on his Budweiser t-shirt. And weren't his pupils unnaturally dilated?
    Maddie smiled politely. "I'm the assistant principal, actually. I think Reba is a very special girl. I've asked her to stay tomorrow for the dance and I'll bring her home, if that's all right with you."
    Wade stood up. "Yeah, Reba's special, ain't you, baby? You want to go to that there dance?"
    Reba stood clutching her books. A look passed between father and daughter that Maddie caught, but didn't understand. "Yes, I do. I want to go to that dance, Pa."
    Ginger put her arm around her daughter. "Course she does. Her first school dance. Let her go, Wade."
    Wade winked at Maddie. "They're ganging up on me. Sure she