Read Whispers at Willow Lake for Free Online

military.”
    “I know that much. You told me you were scheduled to report for basic training…for the military. But you never said—”
    “Honey, the SEALs are the military.”
    “That’s dangerous, Ryder.” She took a step back, stumbled as he reached out to catch her. “You should have told me.”
    “So you could spend your days worrying? I couldn’t bear that thought, Ali.”
    “It’s not your place to make that decision for me. I had a right to know. I would have tried harder to bring you back home.”
    “And I wouldn’t have come. I couldn’t until I was ready—until you were ready.”
    “And you think I’m ready now?”
    “I don’t know. Are you?”
    “I’m mad at you, Ryder Shane Hawkins.” Her voice went high and shaky as she used his full given name. “No, I’m furious. You could have been killed.”
    “Yes, I could have.” His hand gripped her wrist, and he felt the rush of her pulse as her eyes flashed the deepest green. “But, would it have mattered, Ali?”
    “I—you—oh!”
    The slap caught him across the jaw and stung like a grazing bullet. Her eyes exploded into emerald flames. “I hate you for asking that, for even think—”
    “I just needed to know.”
    “And I guess you got your answer. I hope you’re pleased.” Ali spun away from him, yanking her arm from his grasp. She stomped up the walk. When one of the pumps slipped, she kicked it away, shucked the second, and tramped on in bare feet. She didn’t pause until she hit the back steps. She turned back just long enough to toss him a death glare before crossing the threshold, slamming the door so hard Ryder was shocked to see it remain on its hinges.
     
    ****
     
    The man was impossible.
    Alison stamped to the refrigerator, the bottoms of her feet stinging from the scrape of cobblestones. She heaved air, fighting vertigo. If she didn’t grab something cold to drink and collapse into a chair soon, she was sure to take a swan-dive to the floor.
    But, would it have mattered, Ali?
    Ryder’s words rushed through her mind like a freight train plowing the tracks. The nerve…the gall.
    He deserved the slap, yet guilt nudged her. She’d never resorted to hitting anyone in her life. Tears blurred her vision as she massaged her throbbing hand and glanced out the back window. She’d smacked him awfully hard, and now her conscience battled with a smug prickle of satisfaction.
    But, would it have mattered, Ali?
    She swiped her eyes as she grabbed a pitcher of orange juice from the fridge and thought about gulping directly from the container. Her throat blazed like an inferno. She reached into the cabinet for a glass and filled it to the brim.
    The aroma of bacon mingled with ham and cheese omelets. Gravy simmered in a chafing dish as the coffeemaker hissed and spat. Though no guests were scheduled for the inn today, she’d prepared breakfast anyway.
    For Ryder.
    Embers of anger flared once more. She slammed her glass on the counter and juice splattered over her hand.
    “I’ll take a glass of that.” Ryder stood in the doorway, swiping his face with a blue bandanna that brought out the gray of his eyes. His cheek held the angry red splotch of her handprint. “If it’s safe to come in.”
    “Suit yourself.” She grabbed a second glass from the cabinet, tossed it to him without concern about whether he might miss and have it shatter to the floor. “I’ll share.”
    One eyebrow disappeared beneath disheveled hair. He massaged his thigh, grimacing. “Looks like I have a talent for raising your ire.”
    “You always did, Ryder.” She set the pitcher on the counter, slid it toward him so juice sloshed over the rim. “I did the same to you. But, we’ve always been honest with each other—at least I thought we were.”
    “I didn’t tell you where I was because I knew you’d worry.” He filled his glass, sucked it dry with one greedy gulp. “I also knew you were already struggling with what happened to Josh, all the