Echoes From the Mist by Blayne Cooper Read Free Book Online Page B

sauntered out of the room, whistling a happy tune as she mentally calculated the sale.
    When she was out of sight, Liv rested her head in her hands and laughed weakly. "Oh, my God, Kayla. That has to be one of the most demented people I have ever met."
    Kayla chuckled softly and leaned back. She stretched her arms high over her head. "I’d agree with that assessment. And when she smiled…."
    Liv’s whole body shook and she wrapped her arms around herself. "Ugh. I know. It was the most unnatural facial expression I’ve ever seen on a human." She exhaled a long slow breath and pinned Kayla with an inquiring stare. "You knew what she was going to say, didn’t you?"
    "I went on one of the ghost walks a few years ago. It was fun, I suppose, but highly unscientific."
    "You sound like Spock."
    "The baby doctor?"
    "The Vulcan."
    "Oh." Kayla’s eyebrows lifted and unconsciously felt her ears to see if they were too pointy. "Are you calling me a geek?"
    "Pretty much," Liv said amiably.
    "Okay. I was just checking."
    "I just thank God Sylla’s gross tale was fiction." Liv’s face twisted in disgust. "That was horrible."
    Fiction? Oh, boy. "Ahh.…" Kayla chewed her lip. "Listen, Liv—"
    Liv shook her head. "No, no, no. You listen." She waggled her finger at her lover. "I don’t care about the truth. I just don’t want nightmares. I’m very talented when it comes to harnessing the power of denial. Just ask my high school boyfriend. Now, repeat after me: It was just a story…." She smiled impishly. "And I love you more than a pig loves slop, Liv."
    Kayla’s eyebrows jumped. "Only if you say the same to me – except that you have to love me more than shortbread cookies."
    "Don’t push your luck."
    Kayla burst out laughing. "I’ll do my best."
    "Thank you," Liv said sassily.
    "It was just a story. And I love you way more than a pig loves slop."
    Liv kissed her friend on the cheek then nuzzled the soft skin there. "Now isn’t this nicer than talking about pus?"

    
     
CHAPTER THREE
         
    L IV LOOKED OUT the window again. She sighed. Brody was still handing out tickets. The blonde woman moved back to the fireplace and examined the large oil painting of a dog.
    All the while Kayla sat quietly.
    "I’m bored," Liv said, a little embarrassed by how juvenile the words sounded once she said them aloud. Then her face lit up. "Wanna neck while we wait for Mr. Cobb?" she asked hopefully, flopping down on the far end of the sofa then scampering across it to Kayla.
    Kayla tapped her index finger against her chin and pretended to seriously consider the question. "What if someone catches us?"
    "What if they don’t?" Liv countered, her gaze dropping to Kayla’s full lips. She inched a little closer to the object of her desire.
    "What if they do?"
    Liv idly fingered the neck of Kayla’s sweater. "They might not," she reminded insistently. One hand slid beneath soft hair, letting the thick strands slide between its fingers before finding its way to the back of Kayla’s neck.
    Quite without her permission, Kayla’s gaze fixed itself on Liv’s mouth. And refused to move. She licked her lips and leaned forward. "But—"
    "They won’t," Liv promised, closing her eyes just as their lips…
    "Oh, yes they will," a deep Scottish voice boomed from the doorway.
    Kayla flew off the couch, nearly knocking Liv over in the process. "I… I…" Her eyes darted wildly from Liv to the man.
    He began to laugh heartily, the movement causing his bulky form to shake. He held up a placating hand. "No need to get upset, lassies ."
    Liv scowled at Kayla. "Or dump your girlfriend on her ass," she mumbled.
    Aw, shit. Kayla offered Liv a contrite look. "Sorry. I… uh." Her mouth snapped shut. "Just sorry," she finally said, wincing. She extended her hand and hauled Liv to her feetThe man’s eyes shifted back and forth between the women. He smiled indulgently. "Hello, ladies. Welcome to Cobb Manor." Like Brody’s, his voice was bright and