Shadow of the Knife by Jane Fletcher

Author:Jane Fletcher [Fletcher, Jane]
Language: eng
Format: epub, mobi, pdf
Tags: Fiction, Lesbian, Romance, General, Fantasy
ISBN: 9781602820081
Google: k7-JHwAACAAJ
Amazon: B0042P5GUS
Publisher: Bella Distribution
Published: 2008-02-26T00:00:00+00:00

CHAPTER ELEVEN-THE RED DOG INN

ou will be very careful, won't you?"

"Yes, Mom. Bye. See you soon."

Ellen shouldered her pack and turned away, but before she had taken a step, Mama Roz grabbed her and wrapped her in another smothering hug.

"I mean it. We want you back here safe."

"I promise. I'll be watching out, every step of the way."

Ellen carefully peeled Mama Roz off her, ducked down to kiss Mama Becky's cheek, and made her escape. Only when she was safely out of earshot did Ellen give vent to her feelings in a deep sigh. It felt as if she had been escaping from people all morning. Already she had been in another argument with Terrie Rasheed, and had only narrowly avoided being cornered by a tearful Mandy Colman.

At the end of the road, Ellen stopped briefly to wave back at her mothers, who were still watching from the cottage door, and then marched on, through the twisting Northside dirt streets, until reaching the main Newbridge Road. With luck she would get to the docks without being waylaid again. Ellen did not want any more fuss. However, as she crossed the Clemswood Road another voice hailed her.

"Ellen. Wait."

Ellen looked back. Hal was jogging toward her.

"Hey. I didn't think to see you in town." Ellen could not stop the grin spreading across her face. Maybe there were some types of fuss she could handle.

Hal cannoned into her, grabbing her in a fierce embrace that was so very different from her mother's. "When did you get back?"

"Last night."

"And now you're leaving again?"

"I won't be gone long."

"You couldn't send me a message?" Hal sounded annoyed. "You run off without a word. You don't tell me you're back. And now you're

off again."

"I'm sorry. I thought you'd be out at Broken Hills."

"Sorry?"

"It's just the way it works out."

Hal pulled away and stared into Ellen's eyes. "What's that supposed to mean?"

"It's..." Ellen took a deep breath. "I don't have a choice. I mean, I really want to spend some time with you." The words were not mere mollifying sweet talk. Her whole groin was aching. Ellen wanted Hal with an intensity that surprised her. Absurdly, she found herself making pointless calculations about missing the barge and taking another, a day-a week later. Ellen knocked the thoughts aside.

"But?"

"But you know how important what I'm doing is. And that I can't talk about it. I've got to go away for a few days."

"How long is a few?"

"Eight or so."

"Where?"

"I can't say."

Hal growled and shook her. "That's no sort of answer."

"It's the best I can give. Anyway, what are you doing in town?"

"Worrying about you."

"How did you know-"

Hal looped an arm through Ellen's trying to drag her into a walk. "Let's go to a tavern and talk."

"I haven't got time."

"You can spare a half hour," Hal pleaded, her tone one of exasperation.

"The barge is going soon. I've got to be on it."

Hal disengaged her arm and stepped back. "You're going to Eastford."

"How..."

"Oh, come on! It's not complex arithmetic. Two days downstream with the current.

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