Heart of the Druid Laird Read Free

come when I called?” Zoe leaned against the arched entry into their living room. “My arms were full of groceries, and I needed your help.”
    Sidney took the earbuds out and glanced at her best friend. An empty grocery bag with a gaping rip in the bottom dangled from Zoe’s perfectly manicured fingertips. “Oh, sorry. I didn’t hear you.”
    Zoe moved behind her to peer at the painting. “That’s okay. You get to clean up the broken eggs. Whoa, that’s one scary faerie you’ve painted there.”
    “I know, huh?” Sidney tilted her head to study the watercolor. “She appeared to me in a dream last night to warn me about something.”
    “Wow. What about?”
    Sidney smiled, knowing exactly how Zoe would react. “Some hunky Scottish guy is on his way here to find me.”
    “Dang, you have all the luck.” Zoe’s eyes widened. “She really used the word hunky? ”
    “No.” Sidney laughed. “I added that for your benefit.”
    “Even so, did the nice lady say why the hunky Scot was coming to find you?”
    “Scary Faerie wasn’t nice at all, and she didn’t elaborate. I’m supposed to stay away from him.” When he comes begging your help, refuse him. That part kept running through her mind. The thought of refusing help to someone in need went against the grain.
    “This sounds intriguing. Does he have a friend?”
    Sidney laughed. “Only you would turn my encounters with the supernatural into a chance to meet men.”
    “It could happen.” Zoe shrugged.
    “It was a dream. There are no hunky Scots on the horizon.” She placed her paintbrush into a jar of water and started to clean up. “Besides, I’m working around the clock to make our shop a success. I don’t have time in my life for men, foreign or domestic.”
    “You should make time.”
    “Sure. Because it’s gone so well for me in the past.”
    “You give up too soon.”
    “No, I don’t. I—”
    “Yes, you do. For as long as we’ve known each other, what’s the longest you’ve ever dated the same man?”
    She thought about it. “Remember Paul? He and I lasted almost three months.”
    “Paul.” Zoe tilted her head and tapped her chin. “You mean tall, gorgeous and crazy about you Paul? I rest my case.”
    “Zoe…”
    “ You broke it off with him. Like I said, you give up too soon.”
    “It’s not that I give up.” Sadness filled her. “It’s hard to explain. I start to get close to a guy, and this voice in my head whispers, it’s not him. After that, I lose interest.” She sighed. “There’s nothing I can do to get it back either. Believe me, I’ve tried.”
    “Who the hell is him? ”
    “How the hell should I know?” Sidney shrugged. “Maybe there is no him for me. Can we change the subject?”
    “If you want, I could do a Tarot reading for you. We can ask the cards—”
    “You know I don’t believe in that stuff.”
    “Don’t give up, Sid. You’ve closed yourself off, and Lord knows there are—”
    “I mean it, Zoe. Let it go.” Had she given up? More than anything she wanted a husband and a family of her own. A familiar ache filled her. Why couldn’t she get close to any of the men she’d dated? What was wrong with her?
    “You don’t believe in that stuff, but you’re the one who gets the paranormal visitations and voices in your head. Lucky for you I don’t much care for normal, ’cause you’re one odd little duck.”
    “You called me little.” Sidney grinned. “Thanks.”
    Zoe shook her head and glanced back at the watercolor. “I like the painting. It’ll sell quickly. Let’s place it by the dragon figurines and move the silk-screened T-shirts to tie it all together.”
    “You mean the shirts with the magical creatures on them?” Sidney asked. “I like it. We could do a whole enchanted theme in one corner.” Sidney followed her down the hall toward the kitchen. Maybe Zoe was right, and she gave up on men too soon. She’d always been in awe of Zoe’s fearless, outgoing nature when