Read Online Silver Falls by Anne Stuart - Free Book Online Page B

For the next few weeks I’m going to immerse myself in the old town. I want to find out just what’s been going on for the last twenty years.”
    â€œTwenty years?” Rachel echoed, startled.
    â€œI took off when I was seventeen. I’ve been back a few times since then, but only for a matter of days. I’m afraid the town of Silver Falls has never made me feel particularly welcome.”
    â€œWhat happened when you were seventeen?”
    â€œHe stole a car,” David said. “Again. He got drunk, stole a car and ran my parents off the road. Stephen Henry has been in a wheelchair ever since and my mother died.”
    There was a moment of shocked silence, and then Caleb spoke, sounding singularly unconcerned. “I hate to be picky, but I should point out that they were my parents as well.”
    â€œYou didn’t even stay for the funeral,” David said.
    â€œI couldn’t very well—you’d been so helpful with the police that I had no choice but to disappear for a few years. Fortunately Stephen Henry cleared things up and the charges were dropped.”
    â€œHe always had a soft spot for you. He was probably more than happy to lie for you.”
    â€œLie?” Caleb echoed. “There are no lies in our happy little family.”
    â€œFather’s waiting for us,” David said, the edge creeping back. He turned to Rachel. “I really think you and Sophie should come with us. If for no other reason than it would be safer. There’s a murderer loose.”
    She shook her head. “We’ll lock the doors and we’ll be fine. Give my love to Stephen Henry.”
    â€œI might think twice about that,” Caleb murmured. “The old man is a lecher.” He ignored David’s sputtered protest. “You know he is, so don’t argue. Let’s go. And Rachel’s right—she might very well be safer here.” He looked at her, and all his mockery vanished. “Keep an eye on your daughter. If you’re not going to leave town, then watch her like a hawk.”
    â€œLeave? Why would Rachel leave?” David sounded oddly frantic.
    â€œMaybe because there’s a serial killer on the loose, and if she took her daughter on a vacation until he’s caught it would be easier for her?” Caleb suggested.
    â€œShe can’t leave…Rachel isn’t the kind of woman who runs away.”
    Rachel was feeling exactly like that kind of woman. She managed to nod convincingly.
    â€œEven if there’s a serial killer at work?” Caleb said.
    â€œWhat makes you think Rachel would be the target?” David said.
    Caleb turned to look at him. “Who knows what goes on in the mind of a serial killer?”
    â€œOne death doesn’t make for a serial killer. Do you think I can’t take care of my own family?” David snapped, and she could hear the edge of panic in his voice.
    â€œI’m sure you can.” He changed the subject. “Shall we go visit our patriarch? He wants us to bond.” Caleb’s tone of voice made it patently clear that that was a vain hope.
    But David surprised her. “I’d like that,” he said, his animosity vanishing. “It’s been too long.”
    Caleb looked equally surprised but not particularly gratified. “If you say so.”
    â€œWe’ll miss you,” David said to Rachel. And then, to her astonishment, he pulled her into his arms, mashing his mouth against hers, trying to shove his tongue past her lips.
    David never used his tongue. He seldom kissed her, and then it was very chaste. At that moment he had one hand on her butt, squeezing so hard it hurt, and another clamped on her breast. Sheforced herself to remain still, resisting the impulse to shove him away, to wipe her arm across her mouth. When he finally released her she managed a smile by sheer force of will.
    â€œDon’t be gone too long, darling,” she said in what