In the Shadow of Vengeance by Nancy C. Weeks

Author:Nancy C. Weeks
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: F+W Media
Published: 2014-11-19T05:00:00+00:00

Chapter Sixteen

The soft, melodious country ballad drifted into her consciousness, interrupting the most erotic dream in memory. Coming full awake, she instantly recognized George Strait, one of her all-time favorite music performers. His heartbreaking lyrics brought her back to the days when there was nothing more important than taking turns with her sister dancing on her father’s shoes while her brothers chased lightning bugs in the yard.

She sat up in bed and hugged the pillow at her waist, pushing the memory into the void where it belonged. How she wished she had the same power over her body. The dormant parts pulsed from the dreamy images of being wrapped in Noah’s arms while his lips caressed every inch.

His words, I’m not letting you go, kept her awake long after soft snoring sounds escaped from his throat. Elizabeth had forgotten what it felt like sleeping next to a man, and for the first time in years, she yearned for her walls to come crashing down so she could take what he freely offered.

But nothing had changed. Her life was dangerous, unpredictable, and she wouldn’t drag Noah into it.

It took a moment to realize that he no longer lay next to her. The bedroom door stood ajar and a soft light came from the room across the hallway. She slipped out of bed. Following the music, she quietly crossed the hall and eased the door open.

Noah stood with his back to the door, shirtless and holding an art pencil in his left hand. Her gaze fixated on the movements of his firm, solid shoulder muscles as his hand seemed to caress the canvas on the easel in smooth movements, blending the dark charcoal lines into soft grays. His body obstructed the image he created until he stepped away and observed his work. She tore her focus from the beauty of the man and eyed the canvas. The likeness of her was remarkable. He had somehow turned her into a beautiful woman.

“That’s incredible,” she whispered as she took a step closer. “You are an artist, Noah, an amazing artist.”

“I dabble in the medium.” He reached over and turned the music down. “Sorry I woke you.”

“You didn’t. I had a dream and …”

She swallowed the lump in her throat as heat rushed into her cheeks. The last thing she needed was Noah asking her what her dream was about. “Danny never mentioned this about you.”

“I’ve been drawing for as long as I can remember. Jared makes lists, Jason takes long rides on his bike, Mac reads everything under the sun, and I do this.” He glanced at the easel. “It relaxes me and helps keep what’s real front and center.”

“And Adam?”

He shrugged. “I don’t know, but I intend to find out.”

She didn’t understand what that meant, but she let it rest. Instead, she studied the charcoal drawing of her sitting on a beach with Danny and Erin laughing in her arms. Noah must have captured the image from a photo of last summer’s beach trip.

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