Read The Sisters: A Mystery of Good and Evil, Horror and Suspense (Book One of the Dark Forces Series) for Free Online Page A

little bit,” she said. George bowed his assent and departed for the kitchen. Sarah watched him go and admired his derriere, then laughed quietly to herself, remembering a line from Dolly Parton. Look out, young man, she thought. I’m old enough to be your lover. And she raised the glass in toast to the flickering fire.
    As she took the first sip, she looked into the mirror and saw the front door open to admit another man, whom she recognized as the one who had fixed her furnace the night before. A flush came over her expressive face and she turned her head away quickly, hoping he had not seen her.
    Come on, Sarah, she thought. You can at least be polite after he’s seated someplace and go thank him again for helping you. And for God’s sake get his name this time. These thoughts intermingled with the first rush of warmth from the wine to make her a little light-headed, and by the time she looked up into the mirror again, he was gone from sight.
    “Hello,” she heard a voice say and realized that the man had slipped up on her right side. In confusion, she smiled hesitantly but could find no answer right away. “I’m the guy from last night―furnace repair, fireman, CPA―remember?” Now at last, Sarah found her voice and extended her hand.
    “I remember. How are you?”
    “Hungry. Cold. Wind-blown. But better now, thanks,” Nathan spoke easily, but he was now noticing for the first time how pretty this young lady was, with her high cheekbones framed by a boyish hairstyle. Her large brown eyes were smiling, but her lips seemed to be having a little trouble finding the right expression. He misunderstood and thought she was trying to overcome the awkward situation of having to explain that her boyfriend was about to return. Yet he noticed there was only a place setting for one.
    “And how are you?” he asked. “Finally get warmed up?”
    Sarah had finally found her smile as she dropped her hand and said, “Yes, thanks to you. The furnace works perfectly and I went through the rest of the house today, cleaning it up.” She wasn’t sure why she added this bit of unnecessary intelligence, but she was proud of it. “You know, I don’t think I ever asked your name last night, and I’m so sorry.”
    “Nathan Forrest,” he said, “and no apologies are needed. Rescuing damsels in distress is kind of a new line of work for me, but I was glad you didn’t have a plumbing problem. I couldn’t have helped you there, except with the most basic stuff.” He still stood by her table and George reappeared.
    “And will you be joining the young lady?” he asked.
    “Only if she asks,” Nathan said, keeping his eyes on Sarah. He really hoped she would say yes, though he could not say why. This was not his style on first meeting someone and he wondered later what in the world ever possessed him to be so bold.
    Sarah blinked as though she had been away for a moment, lost in thought, but said, “Of course. Please join me.” And she smiled again, this one coming from deep down, and Nathan was glad. He wasn’t sure what he would have done had she said no.
    He removed his coat, brushed off the snow carefully and hooked it over the back of his chair.
    “So it’s still snowing outside?” Sarah asked.
    “Getting heavier,” Nathan replied. “I was hoping I could get a weather report here.” Both she and Sarah looked inquiringly at George, who replied that the weather reports he heard in the kitchen were not encouraging and that the area could be in for as much as a foot of snow by morning.
    “But by then you will both be warm in your homes and it will be no problem,” he said. “Will you also have some wine, sir?”
    Nathan thought a moment and said, “Why not? A glass of Chardonnay for me, and a menu.”
    “Very good, sir, I’ll be back with your wine.”
    Nathan fluffed out his napkin and placed it on his lap, while Sarah spoke. “Did you say you also are here on vacation?”
    “I am,” said Nathan. “My