Read Online Dance Upon the Air by Nora Roberts - Free Book Online Page A

day. Even if it was just a heel of bread for the gulls. She would tend what she planted. She would remember to be kind, and never forget to offer a helping hand.
    She would keep her promises and expect nothing more than the chance to lead a good life that hurt no one.
    She would earn what she’d been given, and treasure it.
    She would take pleasure in the simple things, she decided. Starting right now.
    Rising, she began to collect shells, tucking them in her pockets at first. When the pockets were full, she tugged off her shoes and used them. She reached the far end of the beach, where rocks jutted out ofthe sand and began to tumble toward the sea. Here there were palm-size stones worn cobble smooth. She picked one, then another, wondering if she could fashion an edging for her little herb bed.
    A movement to her left had her wrapping her fingers tight around the stone and turning quickly. Her heart continued to beat in hard jerks as she watched Zack coming down a zigzag of wooden steps.
    â€œMorning.”
    â€œGood morning.” In automatic defense, she glanced back, uneasy to realize how far from the village proper she’d wandered. The beach was no longer empty, but the scattered people were some distance away.
    â€œNice day for a long walk on the beach,” he commented, leaning against the handrail to study her. “You’ve sure had one.”
    He’d watched her, from her dance with the gulls. It was a shame, he thought, how quickly her face could go from radiant to guarded.
    â€œI didn’t realize how far I’d come.”
    â€œNothing’s really that far on an island this size. It’s going to be a hot one,” he said easily. “Beach’ll be crowded before noon. It’s nice to get a little time on it before it’s full of towels and bodies.”
    â€œYes, well . . .”
    â€œCome on up.”
    â€œWhat?”
    â€œCome on up. To the house. I’ll give you a bag for those shells and stones.”
    â€œOh, that’s all right. I don’t really need—”
    â€œNell—is it cops in general, men in general, or me in particular that worry you?”
    â€œI’m not worried.”
    â€œProve it.” He stayed where he was, but held out a hand.
    She kept her eyes on his. He had good eyes. Smart ones, but patient too. Slowly she stepped forward and lifted her hand to his.
    â€œWhat do you plan to do with your shells?”
    â€œNothing.” Her pulse was galloping, but she made herself climb the sandy steps with him. “Well, nothing brilliant. Just scatter them around, I suppose.”
    His hand held hers loosely, but even so she could tell it was hard and rough. He wore no rings, no watch on his wrist.
    No pampering, she thought. No adornments.
    Like her, he was barefoot, and his jeans were ripped at the knee, frayed at the hem. With his sun-streaked hair and tawny skin, he looked more beach bum than sheriff. It tamped down some of her anxiety.
    At the landing they turned, walked along a gentle slope. Below, on the far side of the rocks, was a sunny inlet where a small red boat bobbed lazily at a rickety pier.
    â€œEverything’s a picture,” she said quietly.
    â€œHave you done any sailing?”
    â€œYes. A little,” she said quickly. “Is that your boat?”
    â€œShe’s mine.”
    There was a sudden wild splashing of water, and a sleek, dark head appeared, cruising around the rocks. As Nell stared, a huge black dog leaped onto the shore and shook herself madly.
    â€œHer, too,” Zack stated. “Mine, that is. Are you all right with dogs? Tell me now. I can hold her off and give you a fair head start.”
    â€œNo, I like dogs.” Then she blinked, looked back at him. “What do you mean, head start?”
    He didn’t bother to answer, just grinned as the dog leaped up the slope in powerful bounds. She jumped on Zack, tail wagging and spewing water, and