Kane by Jennifer Blake Read Free Book Online Page B

said something yesterday about this being part of the Mississippi River at one time. Is that right?”
    â€œBefore it changed course, carved itself a new channel,” he agreed after a second. “All that was so long ago the openings to the horseshoe have silted up, forming this curving body of water, creating a lake with no access to the river. It’s not an unusual phenomenon. There’s another one like it above north of here called Old River, and one below known as False River, as well as others. We’re a bit different because of the swamp that’s caused by a creek—or actually another small river—that was blocked off from the Mississippi, so spread out into a wide area of marshland. It drains into the lake eventually, so helps keep the water fresh.”
    Regina nodded her understanding, though she had only the vaguest idea of what he was describing. It was so peaceful here with the warm sun dazzling her eyes, the moist breeze caressing her face and whispering in the trees overhead. The leaves, the grass, vines and low-growing shrubs, the water plants at her feet, were all such a vivid green that the light around her seemed stained with the vibrant hue. She could almost feel the tension draining from her pores, being replaced by a tenuous, almost furtive, peace.
    The day seemed to slow to an easy, swayingrhythm. The impression was so insidious yet so alien that she couldn’t help thinking how different everything was from the noisy, close, grime-coated streets she had left in New York, couldn’t help considering how different she might have been if she had always known such natural magic.
    Just then, a great blue heron that Regina had not noticed until that moment lifted from its still stance at the shadowy water’s edge and sailed away with its wide wings almost skimming the water. She shaded her eyes with one hand as she followed its effortless flight.
    Suddenly, her throat ached with the pressing uplift of some deep, emotional shift inside her. The day was so sublime. The huge bird was incredibly beautiful with the sun shining silver-blue on its plumage. At the same time, the heron was free, dependent on its own strength, without obligations, duties, or impossible dilemmas to cloud its mind and keep it lying sleepless, staring into the night. All it cared about was food and safety from the storms. And, possibly, comfort and security for its young.
    â€œHad enough?”
    She started, swinging around with her eyes wide and the blood rushing to her head. Amazingly, she had almost forgotten Kane was there. Forgotten, in his quiet, easy companionship, that he was watching her, judging her.
    â€œAre you all right?” he asked, stepping closer to catch her elbow in swift support.
    She gasped and gave a shaky laugh. “Oh, yes. I was just…a thousand miles away.”
    â€œYou’re sure?” His gaze touched and lingered on the bruise at her temple, half-hidden by her hair.
    â€œI’m…fine. Really.”
    He searched her face for an instant longer before he nodded. “Time to go, then.”
    She agreed, and turned with him toward the truck. Still, he didn’t release her, and the touch of his fingers seemed to burn, branding her flesh. His manner was protective, almost bordering on possessive.
    She drew away, breaking his hold. Perhaps something was wrong with her head after all, for the gesture required a conscious effort.
    It was some moments later, after they had reached the blacktop again and were barreling along past a series of big houses set back under ancient, spreading oaks, that Kane spoke again. “I need to stop by my place for a minute while we’re so close, if you don’t mind. I was reading a brief last night and left it on the table beside the bed. Picking it up now will save me a trip later.”
    The words were casual and matter-of-fact, the request perfectly polite. Regardless, Regina tensed. She had heard that kind