Page 13 (1/2)
"I’hosts," Matt said, shaking his head "For theon a trail so Whatever possessed you to let her just ride out alone?"
"Let’s see--maybe the fact that she said she didn’t want company?"
"She doesn’t own the place," Matt re his beard "Hell I don’t own it either, do I now?"
Matt urged Vernon on out of the stable "Hey--don’t be late for dinner!" Carter called "Seeood"
Matt felt his resentrow, and put a check on it Ada in to do what he was referring to as "research" And so, hell, they had to feed the woht to prepare aa deal And as to the horse…
He could just see lawsuits all over the place She’d ridden out alone What if she couldn’t really ride? She’d be suing over her injuries
The logical course was across the vast field to the south of the property, leading into trails that veered to the west Matt could see that his chosen trail had recently been traveled; hoof-rasses assured hiht
Matt crossed the field, and entered into the broad riding trail that led ard, sloping upward from the valley toward theand he cah the woods The area was much as it had been for hundreds of years--only the continual use of the trails kept them in such sustained and clear condition The air was cool, the scent of pine sweet
When he saw Nellie, riderless, drinking by the streaht have thrown her rider
But even as he dismounted, a quick search of the area showed him that he needn’t have been so concerned--nor so certain that his visitor couldn’t ride Darcy was seated cal in the dirt with a bonelike length of a broken branch She watched him without welco fro toward her
There was still plenty of daylight, but in the forest, the thick canopy of trees created strange slashes of darkness, shadow, and eerie green light Her hair seemed to shine with an exceptional depth of red, while her eyes appeared a deeper forest shade than the trees themselves Her complexion appeared paler here, and in her jeans and sweater, she ant woods nymph Except, of course, if she were to stand, he knew she would be far too tall to be any elfin creature It struck hiain that what ance of hers, the poise and calm that seemed to sit about her shoulders like a cloak
She clasped her hands around her knees, eyeing him with a certain dry hostility "Hello, Sheriff As you can see, I’ve not broken otten lost in the depth of the forest"
"Did I ever suggest that such things ht ask to ride about the area"
"You ht have mentioned your intentions"
"When? As you pushed me out of your car at the entrance to Melody House?"
"I did no such thing"
She shrugged, not deigning to reply He felt the itch of irritation again He understood soant, but almost absently sensual, her movements s that smouldered, richly carnal, and yet on top, she was all wrapped up like an ice princess, lips far too often drawn tight and prudish
"I’d expected to find you exploring the house"
"I did explore the house" The green of her eyes rested contehost as yet?"
She replied in an even, dismissive tone, eyes steady on hirounds, and now, I’ beside her He stared through the trees towards the water, caught now in the sunlight, dazzling like a thousand gems Then he looked back to her "The woods are supposed to be haunted, too, you know And not because of Melody House"
"That’s good to hear," she said strangely "Just what is the legend associated with the forest here?"