Search the Dark (Watcher in the Dark) by Marta Perry

Author:Marta Perry
Language: eng
Format: mobi
Published: 0101-01-01T00:00:00+00:00

CHAPTER ELEVEN

MEREDITH HATED TO SEE the evening come to an end, but as the lights of her house came into view, she knew it was time to return to reality. Zach pulled into the driveway, but when she reached for the door handle, he caught her hand.

“Don’t go in yet.” His smile was visible in the glow of the pole light at the end of the walk. “That’s what I always said, isn’t it?”

“Yes.” She relaxed, making no attempt to get out. “Luckily I’m not as much of a frightened mouse as I was at seventeen.”

Zach’s eyebrows lifted, maybe mocking her just a little. “You sure?”

“Positive.” She reached out to touch his cheek, her fingertips seeming ultrasensitive to faint stubble and warm skin.

“I’ll consider that an invitation,” he said, and kissed her.

Again. They’d pulled in at an overlook on the way home, one that was a favorite parking spot for teenagers. Any slight embarrassment she’d felt had slipped away quickly. They’d kissed, they’d talked, they’d embraced, only stopping when it became clear that if they didn’t, they wouldn’t be able to.

Now she nuzzled against Zach’s shoulder, content to feel his arm around her. He squeezed her and then winced, drawing back a little.

“Have you noticed that the gearshift is in exactly the wrong place in this car?” It was a soft murmur of frustration and amusement.

“It does seem that way. Meant to discourage teenagers, maybe.”

He grinned, stroking her hair. “No normal teenage boy would ever be discouraged by a minor hurdle like that.”

“Amazing that...” She let the thought trail away, afraid she might be revealing more than was wise.

“That we still know each other so well?” He finished for her.

She nodded. Apparently she couldn’t hide her feelings.

“I suspect that’s because what we had was real,” he said softly. “Not puppy love. Real.”

And real love didn’t die, did it? Being with Zach was like seeing something totally familiar and yet discovering wonderful new facets to it.

He still had that tough edge, but it was harnessed and controlled now. She’d seen that in the way he talked about the work he loved.

But his work was a reminder that this couldn’t last. Even though it felt like pressing on a sore spot to be sure it still hurt, she asked the question she’d been avoiding.

“When will you have to leave?”

He gave her a quizzical look. “Eager to get rid of me?”

“No, just...trying not to be surprised.”

“Yeah. You never did like surprises.” He glanced down at their clasped hands. “My boss has hinted pretty strongly that he wants me back on duty next week.”

Her heart sank. So soon. “I guess you’ll have to leave then.”

“Don’t go sounding so final,” he said. “You’re not finished with me yet.” He lifted her hand to his lips and spoke, his breath caressing her skin. “I’ll come back to check on the progress of the house. Often. And you can come to Pittsburgh for a weekend now and then, can’t you?”

She hesitated, glancing toward the house. The light was on in the living room, and she could see the flicker of the television screen.

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