Page 18 (1/2)

PROLOGUE

When Robert first saw the young wohost It was an old story--a wo on a lonely road When someone picks her up, they're directed to a spot near a cemetery, where she promptly disappears

As he slowed, though, he could see she was very ure fros, a pretty young thing standing in the rain while his car arm and dry inside

The girl stood on the gravel shoulder, her thuazine over her head to stave off the June rain The soaked paper sagged, water running down her white sundress, like the Sunday school version of a wet-shirt contest, and he felt a twitch of lust He also felt his foot press the brake

When the car stopped, she ran over and opened the door "Oh, thank you Thank you!"

She climbed in before he was even fully aware that he'd offered a ride to a stranger on a dark and empty country road He didn't tell her he'dthe lack of a bra under that wet sundress

He deserved this He really deserved this Sure, he felt a rush of guilt, thinking of Sharon at ho him a late dinner, but it wasn't as if he hoped to run off with a girl he picked up on the roadside No, he was just going to enjoy the scenery Nothing wrong with that

"You okay, mister?" she asked

Mister? Well, that e, which he'd peg at about twenty-two Old enough that he didn't feel like a total perv for ogling her

He unstuck his eyes fronets under that dress and looked upward She was a very pretty girl Like so water, sweet and blond and innocent The kind of girl who, fifty years ago, would have put flowers in her hair and joined a coht her eye and irls too, and--

Down, boy

"Where are you going?" he asked

"I'uy in the city proht a cab, but estured at the roadside with a wry sht about here It's only five ht I could walk it, but then the rain started I stuck out et lucky" Her smile broadened "Which I did"

No, Robert was certain he was the one who'd gotten lucky

"Just tell me when I need to turn off," he said

"It's about three more miles You can just drop me at the intersection"

"Two miles from your friend's place?"

She smiled, a sweet and serene smile "She lives off the beaten path, as they say, and I don't want you going out of your way Or taking this nice car down those rough roads The rain is already letting up Dropping me at the corner will be fine"

"Twowalk and a short drive The car will be fine It has all-wheel drive"

"If you insist"

"I do"

"Thank you"

Another s out theRobert tried to keep his eyes on the road But, daot at the end of this trip was another sweet thank you, the scenery alone orth the detour The phrase "ethereal beauty" kept springing toit in a poee