Diablo Lake: Moonstruck by Lauren Dane Read Free Book Online Page A

grumbled something about toilet paper. “Thank you for the company and the milkshake.”
    “Oh I see, come in, be seen, get the gossips all worked up that you’re here and dash out again?” she teased.
    “It’s my greatest joy,” he said, deadpan. “Especially if it comes with milkshakes.”
    “Any time.” Like at two in the morning and he was in his boxers and came knocking on her door. She could whip up a milkshake whenever he needed.
    He shook her dad’s hand before turning back to give her a long up and down look. “I suppose I’ll be seeing you soon enough, neighbor.”
    He looked damned good walking away in those uniform pants.
    “That boy sure is sweet on you.” Her father smiled into his tea.
    “He’s just being friendly.”
    “Pull the other one,” he mumbled.
    “Momma’s gonna be here soon to pick you up. I’ll be by later on for dinner.” She wanted him to drop the subject.
    “You be careful round them Pembrys. You hear? I don’t like it what they came over here. It’s as if they’re preparing for Darrell doing something stupid.”
    She sighed and wiped the counter down. “I can handle them if a problem comes up. Which it won’t because I have no interest in a single one of those lunkheads.”
    “Darrell Pembry is an idiot. Makes him more dangerous, not less. This isn’t about your interest in them. You’re a powerful girl, anyone can see. Power’s a lure. Especially in Diablo Lake.”
    Katie Faith frowned a moment. “He’s a fool. Even if I didn’t already think he was worthless, I sure as heck wouldn’t get involved with a married man. I’m better than that!”
    “‘’Course you are. That’s not what I meant and you know it. You’re strong. Stronger than you were when you left. You need to work with Miz Rose on some stuff. I’ll help when I’m all healed.”
    Before she could follow up, her mother came in and collected her father to take him home. It was easy enough to manage the fountain by herself for most of the time but right after the middle and high schools let out, things got very busy. Those hungry kids with some disposable income would give her afternoons a profitable boost if she handled it right.
    She picked up the phone and dialed Aimee. She had planning to do and the movers would be arriving the following day with all her stuff so it would be her last night in Aimee’s spare room. They’d get together with their other friend Lara to celebrate when everyone got off work for the day.

Chapter Five
    At a little past noon the following day, Katie Faith tipped the movers and said her good-byes to them. She’d see them all again soon enough as the moving crew had been a bunch of local Dooleys with strong backs and a big truck.
    “No damned chore to watch shirtless, sweaty dudes hauling stuff around on our orders, you know?” Aimee said.
    “I’m in agreement with that.” Wolves ran hot, so even through the winter, when they worked outside they frequently did it in shirtsleeves or even better, wearing no shirts at all. “I really like that beard Major is growing.”
    “I’m the president of the Oh-yes-I-like-that-beard fan club. Jace grew one last winter. Looked like lumberjack porn all night and day.” Aimee hummed at the memory and Katie Faith tried not to throw the book in her hands at her friend’s head.
    “Lower cost of living isn’t the only reason to be glad I’m back in Diablo Lake,” she said, because she couldn’t fault anyone for finding Jace Dooley gorgeous.
    They both laughed as Katie Faith began to unpack the boxes with her kitchen supplies. “I already stocked the fridge up with beer if you want one. It’s after noon on a weekend and we’re moving so we get to day drink.”
    “Your never-ending resourcefulness is a balm to my heart, Katie Faith.” Aimee cracked open two beers before joining in on the unpacking.
    “If we had been scouts of some sort I’d totally have earned a lot of flair. Badges. Patches. Whatever. You know