The Devil Wore Sneakers by Nora Leduc Read Free Book Online Page A

with his money. He’d kept his problem a secret until he was behind in his payments. I don’t think he was drinking, but as I said, he didn’t like to share.” Liam slowed the truck.  
    They must have reached Ryan’s driveway. “That’s my brother. Pretend everything is okay and it will be.” He’d adopted her father’s coping mechanisms, while she’d fallen into her mother’s role of family protector and nurturer.
    The truck bounced over a rut and roused her from her thoughts. “When did Ryan buy his place?”
    “Two years ago, after he’d taught for a year.”
    “I’m surprised he didn’t want a home nearer the action in Barley Center.”
    “The couple who owned the property wanted to dump it fast and move on from their divorce. Ryan told me he’d found an old farmhouse in the woods for the perfect party location. The outside needs work, but the former owners had fixed up the inside to the point where it was livable.”
    “How long was my brother sober?”
    “According to him, his one-year anniversary is next month.”
    She knew they had the same question. Had he been able to give up alcohol? They’d never find out the truth. He’d miss many celebrations. Lucy clasped her cold hands together in her lap. “I’m glad he found a home.”
    Bare tree branches stretched out to their windows as though to grab them on their way down the drive. Someone had driven right up to the house, shot Ryan, and left without a single person spotting him or her. Lucy looked straight ahead, but her mouth went dry as they drew closer to her brother’s last home and the scene of his murder.
    A farmhouse in a clearing came into view. Faded white paint and missing clapboards warned her the place was run-down, but the eighteenth-century charm drew her. “It’s more a cottage.”
    “Right. Your basic two bedrooms upstairs.”
    The front stoop beckoned visitors to knock. The yard showed no signs of landscaping.
    “Are you thinking how I could have shot Ryan?” Liam raised his brows.
    “What? No. Would I come with you if I believed you killed him? Besides, you’re a softie for anyone with a sob story. I remember you giving people rides home from school all the time.”
    “Are you kidding? Next, you’ll expect me to pick flowers and recite poetry.” He frowned.
    “Liam Longfellow,” she teased. “I like it.”
    His steady gaze bore into her, and he seemed to be waiting for her response. What had she been doing? She’d been flirting with him. What was wrong with her?
    “Liam, I’m sorry for how I treated you before I left Barley. We broke up and you were free to do—”
    “It’s ancient history,” he said, cutting her off. “You were twenty-one. I was twenty-five.”
    “You married.”
    “I divorced after a short marriage.”
    “Please listen.” She clasped her hands together in her lap. “I’ve often thought of what went wrong with us. First, I wouldn’t forgive you because I believed you were like everyone else. I mean, my family seemed to disappear before my eyes. My mother, my father…even Ryan wanted me to get lost and stop bothering him. When you didn’t marry me, I grouped you with them. I was angry.” She twisted her fingers and then forced herself to be still.
    “I wish I made better decisions when I left Barley, but I didn’t. I’ve had bad relationships. Heck, the last man I became involved with had stolen another person’s identity. I hope you can understand that I need to concentrate on getting myself together. Looking at my choices.”
    Yes, her dating life ended in disasters. Matt had exploited her in twisted mind games. Worst, she wasn’t blameless in their relationship.
    Why didn’t Liam say something? Her stomach ached with nerves. She glanced at him as he shut off the engine. “Make sense?”
    “I’ve gone through a lot of soul-searching myself, Luce. I understand.” He reached over and laid his palm on her knee for a second. The brief contact reassured and calmed