Viator (The Viator Chronicles Book 1) by Jane Ralston-Brooks Read Free Book Online

the apple trees. But don’t feel like you have to do this.”
    Gary took the paper and said, “I don’t. And I remember where your house is.” He stood still for a moment as if waiting for her to do something.
    “I don’t remember you coming to our house.”
    He laughed. “You weren’t there.”
    “Oh. Well, good night,” she said.
    “Good night, Erin Holley,” he whispered.
    Erin watched him walk back to the house, her knees shaky. The moon shone between the clouds and cast a cold glow on the street, and she felt a sudden chill. She climbed into her SUV and drove toward home. Her heart was pounding. She hadn’t been attracted to anyone for so long, and here she sat, trembling. Was she really that lonely? What would William think?

Chapter 7
    The phone ringing pulled Erin out of her sleep, and she rolled over and answered.
    “Hello?”
    “It’s Aleesha. Are you still in bed? Sorry, but I just had to find out how everything went with you and Gary. What do you think?”
    “He’s all right,” said Erin, still half asleep. She looked out her open window at the scattered clouds. “He’s coming over tonight to help me with Gwen’s slumber party.”
    “What? He’s coming over to your house tonight? For a slumber party?”
    “He’s not part of the slumber party. He’s coming over tonight, and we’ll have dinner with the kids. He’s not staying.”
    “But when did you talk to him about this?”
    “He followed me out to my car,” Erin said.
    “Really? That’s great.”
    “Maybe.” She sat up in bed. “Don’t get too excited about it. I don’t know what he’s really like, except that he was one of William’s friends. I only met him a couple times before. I don’t really know him.”
    Aleesha’s voice was reassuring. “If he was friends with William, you know he must be a good man.”
    “Yes.” Erin hesitated. “Last night I heard all the women talking about what a fast life he leads.”
    “That doesn’t mean anything. Kenneth knows him pretty well, and I gather he has had a few adventures. But I’m sure there’s no truth to the story about him killing a man. I think that’s all made up. You know how people exaggerate.”
    “He killed a man? Why didn’t you tell me this before?” Erin hopped out of bed and grabbed her robe.
    “No, no, I don’t believe a word of it and neither does Kenneth. Besides, the story is that it was self-defense. So, you see, it’s fine.”
    “Fine? Good grief. What’s the story?” She went downstairs, hit the button on the coffeemaker, and walked over to the window to look at the beach. The wind was blowing a few clouds across the sky, but it looked like it would be a gorgeous day.
    “What I heard is that he was on a boat with friends somewhere in Asia,” Aleesha said. “Someone came on board, threatened them, and Gary shot him first. I don’t know if he actually killed him.”
    Erin shivered. “Anything else you know about him?”
    “His old girlfriend is definitely out of the picture. She’s in Spain, and he doesn’t even talk to her anymore.” She paused. “Don’t overthink this, darling. Just have some fun and see where it goes. Spread your wings a little.”
    Erin sighed. “I’m just kind of nervous.”
    “Of course you are,” Aleesha said. “It’ll be fine, though, you wait and see.”
    “Yeah.”
    “One more thing. Different subject, and this is too much fun. Have you ever read any of Michael Woodward’s books? He writes thrillers.”
    “No, I haven’t.”
    “You should, they’re very good.” Aleesha paused. “But anyway, I found out Michael Woodward just moved here to Anacortes. He moved into a little house just two blocks away from me.”
    “You’re kidding.”
    “No. And Blue Heron Books is having him there to give a talk in a couple of weeks. We’ve got to go.”
    “Sure. I’ll have to read one of his books.”
    “Definitely,” Aleesha said.
    They said goodbye, Erin took a quick shower, and then woke up her