Vanishing Act by Liz Johnson Read Free Book Online Page A

in an awkward shake.
    â€œNate,” he supplied.
    â€œSo, Nate, what brings you to Crescent City?” she asked. A quick glance down revealed that she had moved her hand to cover so much of the brochure that he couldn’t read the times listed under her pinky finger.
    â€œI’m a freelance travel journalist. Working on some stories about winter activities in Colorado, so I thought I’d set up shop here for a while and take a college class or two while I’m at it.”
    Seemingly ignoring his cover ID as a journalist, she said, “Oh, we have lots of you young college kids here at Sunday morning services.”
    Ha! She thought he was young? That was a laugh. His back still ached from sleeping on that terrible couch, and he could barely go twenty-four hours without sleep anymore, if his drive into town was any indication. At thirty-four, he was far from young—but he wasn’t about to correct her.
    â€œWhat classes are you taking?” Judith asked, leaning a little bit closer to him. He opened his mouth, but she said, “Wait. Let me guess. Journalism?”
    He fought the guffaw that bubbled in his chest and instead only let a grin cross his face. “Good guess.” If he could pass for the writer type with her, maybe he’d be able to pull off his cover.
    The wrinkles around Judith’s mouth deepened as she smiled, probably thinking herself the perfect judge of him. “Well, like I said, we have lots of young people from the college here. Let’s see…Jud, Shelley and Chris. Oh, and the new guy. He’s only been once or twice. What’s his name…Kirk.”
    â€œKirk? Kirk Banner?”
    â€œOh, you know him?” Her eyes popped open.
    Nate nodded nonchalantly. He’d briefly met Kirk at the previous night’s class. He’d stayed after, talking with Danielle and Ivey. And while there was absolutely no evidence to corroborate his gut feeling, Nate didn’t much care for the guy. Something about him just didn’t seem right.
    â€œWell, that’s wonderful!” Judith’s smile widened and she leaned forward so that only a few inches separated them. Tipping her head even farther forward, she said in a conspiratorial whisper, “So, Nate, tell me. Are you seeing anyone right now? I can think of at least three very eligible, lovely girls.”
    He almost choked on his own tongue, but managed to compose himself quickly. He opened his mouth to speak, not even sure how to respond to that statement, when Judith interrupted him as though she hadn’t even asked a question. Ticking them off on her fingers, she said, “Let’s see there’s Rebecca, she’s a freshman. Maybe a little young for you.”
    Nate bit his tongue to keep from saying, “You think?” “Yea, I think someone in her mid-twenties might be a better fit for me. Don’t you think?”
    She winked at him, as though she knew exactly what he was asking. But he wasn’t looking for a date. Just his assignment.
    Judith’s forehead wrinkled slightly, and she tapped her finger against her pursed lips. “Hmm. There’s Danielle. She’s quiet, but a very pretty girl. Her brown eyes always look so sad. But you seem the kind of guy who could draw her out.” Judith winked and pushed his shoulder.
    â€œDanielle? Huh.” Nate’s grin didn’t even flicker, although his mind immediately conjured her face.
    â€œShe’s really wonderful! Very sweet. Perhaps a little shy, but I’m sure once you get to know her, you’ll find her to be fantastic. Should I look for you on Sunday tointroduce the two of you? Oh, what am I saying? Of course I’ll introduce you!”
    Judith prattled on, a busybody at work, while Nate tried to get his mind off Danielle’s soft eyes, rosy cheeks and pink lips. The way the wind had swept her shoulder-length brown hair across her cheek last night in the parking lot had