At the Edge of a Dark Forest by Connie Almony

Author:Connie Almony
Language: eng
Format: azw3
Publisher: Cracked Open Press
Published: 2014-02-17T05:00:00+00:00

WHY HAD CARLY PUT on eyeliner and blush? Why was she wearing this pale yellow sundress that clung to her form? And why was she brushing her hair as if it might shine at the hundredth stroke?

She kept telling herself it was only proper to dress for dinner given Cole had worn his best each night since they’d begun eating together two months ago. But she knew it was more. She felt something real and tangible in the man who slew her dragon. The knight who wore his armor against those who’d love him, leaving himself vulnerable to the things that might mean his end. If only she could reverse that. But she knew she did not have the power and even if she did, it would only leave him indebted to her and not the God he so desperately needed. The God who would be there for him when she could not.

The God who’d brought Cole into her father’s life. And hers.

She stepped into the dining room, wobbling on the low heels. Cole sat filling his mouth using a fork while reading a book. He looked up and choked, dribbles of food spilling over his lips.

She scanned the front of her outfit. “Is something wrong?”

He cleared his throat and wiped his mouth with a linen napkin. “You’re wearing a dress.”

Why did he look like he’d seen an aberration? Carly wanted to flee.

He waved her in. “Don’t just stand there. Mrs. Rivera’s keeping your dinner warm.” His features softened with a crooked smile, his eyes warming as he observed every inch of her. “I guess now we know what took you so long.”

Heat rose in her cheeks. She sat at the table and shook out the linen napkin.

Mrs. Rivera came through the swinging door carrying her dinner plate. “Oh, Carly, you look lovely tonight. Is that a new dress?”

“No. The only dresses I own are sundresses. The weather’s warming.”

“You should wear them more often.” She shot a look toward Cole. “Don’t you think, Mr. Cole?”

His gaze had not wavered from her. “Yes.”

Carly looked into her plate as Mrs. Rivera exited. The heat of Cole’s eyes singed and chilled her at the same time. She shivered.

“Should I turn down the air conditioning, Beauty?” The moniker held a tenderness she’d never heard before.

She studied her meal—pork chops, twice-baked potato and broccoli.

He lifted his myo-electric arm. It buzzed into a pointing position. “I can practice pushing the thermostat buttons. It’d be no problem. Like therapy.”

Carly spied the grin on his face and mirrored it back to him. He’d become so accustomed to his new limbs and seemed to really appreciate the difference they made in his life, drawing her into his accomplishments.

“I’m fine. Really.”

He forked a broccoli spear and chewed, still watching her.

She needed to talk to him about her father, not sure how Cole would take her request. After tasting each part of her meal, she put her fork in her plate, her hands in her lap and plunged ahead. “I don’t know if you’ve been watching the news, lately.

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