Read Online Desert Rain by Elizabeth Lowell - Free Book Online Page A

unanswered.
    I wrote three times, he said flatly.
    She made an odd sound and turned to look at his face.
    You did? she whispered.
    The third time I wrote, I got back a note from Sandra, Linc said. She told me to stop
     writing, that my letters upset you. I gave up then. I assumed Sandra had taught you to
     hate me.
    Hate you? Holly stopped and stared at him. Why on earth would I hate you?
    Without answering, Linc looped the reins around Sand Dancers neck. He gave the animal a
     swat on his gleaming haunch. The horse started forward eagerly, thirsty for the liquid
     wealth of Hidden Springs.
    When Linc turned back to face Holly again, his face was impassive.
    My father was driving the car that hit your parents, Linc said calmly.
    His tone was as blunt as his words. He was utterly still, watching Hollys response.
    When he saw neither surprise nor revulsion on her face, he let out his breath in soundless
     relief.
    You knew, he said.
    Sandra told me.
    Figures, Linc said grimly.
    But what does that have to do with hating you? Holly asked. It was an accident. A rainy
     night and a rotten mountain road and a car that went out of control.
    Hollys lips trembled for a moment. She took a ragged breath and wondered if she would ever
     get over the pain of losing her parents.
    I found out later that your stepmother died, too, Holly whispered. An accident. Thats all.
     Nobody was to blame. Certainly not you.
    Linc lifted Hollys hand and kissed her palm. Not everyone would be so forgiving of the
     McKenzie family, he said. Sandra sure wasnt. I could never hate you, Holly said simply.
    Linc looked into her eyes.
    Did you write to me? he asked.
    Yes. Her voice broke. Oh, Linc, I wanted to see you so much, to hear your voice, to have
     you hold me when I woke up in the middle of the night cold and shaking and frightened. I
     was so alone.
    Linc folded Holly into his arms, holding her as though he would make the lonely years
     vanish with the sheer warmth and strength of his body.
    I never should have let you go, he said savagely. I wanted to keep you so badly.
    Why didnt you? Holly asked in a muffled voice.
    Sandra. She couldnt believe that I felt anything more than lust for you.
    She thought that of every man, Holly said curtly. She was right most of the time, but she
     was wrong about you.
    Linc smiled and kissed Hollys nose.
    I wanted your tender little body, he said huskily. But that wasnt all I wanted. Id watched
     you, watched your parents. They loved each other and they loved you.
    Of course.
    Linc almost smiled.
    Theres no of course about it, he said. Living together doesnt necessarily mean loving
     together.
    Holly remembered the rumors she had heard about Lincs mother and stepmotherand Lincs
     father, who drank far too much before he finally died.
    Then she realized something else.
    Sandra never showed your letters to me, Holly said.
    Linc wasnt surprised.
    Holly was. She and Sandra had never grown close, but Holly hadnt thought her aunt would
     lie to her.
    Sandra has a lot to answer for, she said in a clipped voice.
    Linc looked at Hollys eyes. They were hard and narrow, showing an anger that was repeated
     in the tight line of her mouth.
    Dont blame her too much, he said after a moment. Why not? She has it coming. When she
     first saw you with me, your face was swollen from crying, your hair was every which way
    and you were curled up in my arms asleep. You looked no more than thirteen.
    So?
    If you were my daughter or niece, Linc said, and some hard-looking man said he was going
     to marry you, Id have done the same thing Sandra didscream and swear and generally raise
     enough hell to get my ass hustled right out of the hospital.
    Maybe, Holly said. But you wouldnt steal somebody elses mail. And neither would I. Lincs
     lips flattened. No, but Im not surprised that Sandra did, he said bluntly. Did you know
     her? Holly asked.
    I didnt have to. If theres one thing Dad taught me, its that you cant trust