Adam's Woods Read Free

child, and usually it ended up being someone exemplifying the traits most wanted to deny.
     
    “ Hi, my name is Katy, and I’m a big fan, especially of “Shadow Lake”. I know you’re eating, and it‘s probably rude, but I actually have it here in my backpack and it would mean so much to me if you’d sign it.”
     
    An apologetic but hopeful smile finally cut through his reluctance and he returned it genuinely. And at the same time Eric caught himself wondering if he could seduce her and felt ashamed.
     
    “ Sure, Katy, I’ll sign it.” He had a hard time meeting her eyes, did not want her to see his discomfort or guess at its reason. He feared most seeing a flicker of interest if she did. But that was wishful thinking. She’d probably denounce him as a pervert and throw the book in the trash on the way out.
     
    She pulled out the hardcover book, well read and worn, from her backpack. He opened it up to the title page and wrote, “To Katy. Thank you for journeying with me to Shadow Lake. May it haunt you forever. Eric Kane.” Maybe cheesy, but the best he could come up with on a half-eaten burger and struggling with his own ghosts.
     
    Katy smiled brightly after reading the inscription. “Perfect, thanks so much. What I like best is the depth of your characters, especially Molly. She’s so conflicted but brave in facing the unthinkable. Her struggle is so poignantly written it just broke my heart the first time I read it. I’ve always wondered, I know this personal and you don‘t have to answer, but have you…just from some of the things you write…are you a believer?”
     
    His good will faltered a bit, but he managed to keep a smile and after a brief glance out the window answered, “I was once, I guess. But Jesus and I went our separate ways years ago, and I don’t think he’d like what he found if he came around looking for me.” He surprised himself with the honest explanation.
     
    She laid his hand on his, and he marveled at the audacity and looked at her delicate fingers but didn’t pull away, heard the gentle sincerity in her voice as she said, “He‘s never stopped looking, Mr. Kane.”
     
    He did pull his hand away then, firmly but he hoped not too rudely and held her gaze and answered, “Maybe, but I’m not the one that took off, Katy.” Anger rose in his breast and he refused it. Now wasn’t the time and Katy wasn’t the enemy. But it was time for her to go. He forced a smile and said,” It was so nice meeting you. I’ve started a new novel, and hopefully within a year or so it will be on the shelves. Check my website for updates.”
     
    She nodded, and he could tell she wanted to say more but wisely nodded in parting and said, “ I’ll do that. God bless you.”
     
    And he knew she meant it.
     
    He watched her go, the skirt hiding her lovely figure but not entirely, and then forced himself to finish the meal for which he had lost his appetite. He guessed that if he hung around Lincoln Corners for any period of time, there wouldn’t be anywhere to get hot food later. He wanted to call Katy back over and ask if she had any sisters, ask whether, if she’d seen her sister at the age of eight gutted like a deer by a murderer never punished let alone caught, she would still possess faith to carry her through. But he didn’t. He just unclenched hands that had somehow balled into fists and took a few deep breaths and blinked back the tear that had formed in memory of his brother.
     

Chapter 2

     
    The town seemed like a miniature version of the place he'd grown up, had heard this phenomenon related from the accounts of others but had not returned to experience it first-hand. Appoaching Lincoln Corners from the east, he had driven over Willow Creek, over the bridge from where he and the neighborhood kids had jumped into the water below, always so cold no matter how hot the day. He had stopped the car and got out and remembered his first time, standing for maybe ten