Starseed by Jude Willhoff Read Free Book Online Page B

stood and hugged her, whispering in her ear, “Everything’s going to be all right.”  The sound of his voice was like a balm to her worried mind. “Sit down, girls. It's good to see you both. It's been so hectic around here today, I hardly know if I'm coming or going.”
    She sat in the chair across from his desk . “Dad, I appreciate you taking the time to see us.”  Now that she was here, where did she start?
    “ Sure, honey, what’s on your mind?”
    As if he didn’t know . She took a deep breath and decided to jump right into it. “Well, it’s like I told you this morning. We saw a UFO.”  She swallowed the urge to blast the words out and continued in her normal voice. “We didn't imagine it. And a few minutes ago we saw a picture of it.”  She bit her lip watching his reaction. “The very same one.”
    “ A picture of it?”  Henry frowned in confusion. “Who has a picture?”  He asked in his take-no-nonsense voice.
    “ Herman, the plumber,” Elle said, not backing down. “I know you don’t want to hear this, but he was telling the truth, Dad. He was abducted.”
    “ Now, why doesn't that surprise me?”  He shook his head and sat behind his desk. “I've had tons of calls about sightings, but nobody has any proof. Especially not pictures. Where did he get pictures?”
    “ He painted them. He has several paintings of his experience. And we didn't tell him, but he has a picture of the same things we saw. Dad, you’ve got to believe me. And believe Herman, too.”
    Deep in thought, he played with a pencil, twirling it between his fingers and pushed back his chair, getting her undivided attention . “I have to admit there are strange things happening around here.”  He chewed the bottom of his lip. “I know Herman has had problems with his so-called experience, but do you really think he's telling the truth?”  His gaze nearly had her squirming in her seat.
    This must be how criminals feel when he questions them. “Yes. Nobody believes him except Sara and me.”  Elle looked him straight in the eye, making her peace with the situation.
    “ And now, hopefully you.”
    “ This new information does put a different spin on things,” he said grimly. “But we have to remember these aren't actual photos. After all, he did paint them.”  He ran a hand through his short hair and sighed. “However, if it’s the same thing you girls saw, I'll keep it in mind when I talk to him, tomorrow. There might be something else he can tell me.”
    “ Thanks.”  A feeling of relief rushed through her. “Dad, he needs our help,” she said, seeing the truth shining in his eyes. He was trying to understand her.
    “ Now, baby girl, I’m sure he does, but you don't need to get mixed up in all this. I want you and Sara to stay away from Herman.”  He stood and paced across the room to the window.
    “ He's harmless, but you don't want the whole town painting you girls with the same brush strokes as Herman.”
    “ If he needs help, I intend to give it to him,” Elle said, with determination ringing in her soul. “Herman and I are more alike than you realize.” 
        Henry flinched, shook his head and turned to Sara . “Talk some sense into her, Sara. You know what the people of this town have done to her in the past.”
    “ I'll try, Sheriff,” Sara said, and glanced at Elle. “But you know your daughter. She does what she has to in order to survive in this town.”
    “ I know her all right.”  He sighed, giving Elle a look of love mingled with the frustration of fatherhood. “At least be careful.”
    Her heart softened toward him . “I will. If I run into anything suspicious, I'll call you.”  Elle looked down at her hands then back to meet his eyes. “Have you heard anything about . . . horses?”
    “ No. Why?”  He stiffened, as if almost afraid to hear what she'd say next.
    “ Earlier today, I had a vision of some horses in trouble.”  She pressed both hands over her