Moonshadows Read Free Page A

coastal highway, her apprehension returned. Was anything wrong at Heather Down ? She was anxious to be there and see for herself. Turning her attention to the autumn scenery, she sped along, enjoying the solitude of the drive. Since the interstate had come through, few motorists chose to travel the narrow and winding road of Laurel Mountain, so Janet had the highway to herself. The squatty little car whipped around the sharp curves and climbed with minimal effort. Her grandmother’s plea to drive carefully echoed in Janet’s mind and forced her to relieve the pressure on the gas pedal.
    The mountainous road had dozens of switchbacks that could be treacherous, as Janet had experienced firsthand when she was six years old. She had not allowed herself to think about that night for a long time; but sometimes, especially driving this stretch of road, the memories pushed though the maze of her mind and she could hear the sirens and feel the cold. A chill shook her body as she brushed away twenty-year-old cobwebs and remembered the auto accident that had claimed the lives of her parents. Why she escaped with only minor injuries had long remained a mystery to her, and she never quite stopped feeling guilty.
    “Be careful, Jay,” she could still hear her mother say; hear the softness in her voice. “The road’s a solid sheet of ice.”
    Janet was sitting directly behind her father. She watched as he patted her mother’s hand. “Don’t worry Lynn, we’ll be fine.”
    The glare of the oncoming headlights and the reflection from the glossy black asphalt made Janet’s head ache and she scrunched down among the Christmas packages on the back seat and closed her eyes. She could feel the vibration of the engine as the big car slowly continued up the side of the mountain on its way to Briar’s Point. Before long the steady hum lulled her into a light sleep. Janet never saw the approaching car, out of control, as it swerved in a sharp curve and struck the Lancaster car. She awoke to the sounds of sirens and the feel of frozen earth beneath her body. Voices and flashing lights penetrated her brain.
    “My God, it’s Jay and Lynn Lancaster!” someone had shouted. “Wonder where the kid is?”
    Janet remembered trying to call for help.
    “Over here, Chief,” a man yelled. “I’ve found her.”
    “How is she?”
    “Alive. Get Doc over here quick.”
    Janet felt herself being covered with a warm blanket.
    “Here, let me see about her,” said yet another voice. “There’s nothing I can do for her parents now.”
    Warm hands touched Janet’s face, caring hands that brought comfort and a measure of security. She opened her eyes. Hovering shadows stood silhouetted against red and blue revolving lights and she thought she was going to throw up. Then she felt herself being lifted and sleep came again.
    Elizabeth Lancaster was sitting beside the hospital bed holding Janet’s hand when next she woke. Her grandfather was standing at the foot.
    “Janet?” Her grandmother spoke softly. “Can you hear me?”
    Janet turned her head toward the sound of the voice. A gathering of unshed tears glistened in her grandmother’s red-rimmed eyes.
    She looked from her grandmother to the man in a white coat bending over her.
    “What happened?” she asked.
    Her grandfather hurried to the opposite side of the bed and took her hand. He looked tired and old.
    “There was an accident, Janet,” he said.
    “Mama? Papa?”
    Janet struggled to lift her head. Gentle hands restrained her and eased her back down on the bed. The doctor looked at her grandmother and gave a slight nod.
    “Janet, they’re gone, baby,” she said as tears rolled down the lined face. “Your mama and papa are in heaven now, with God and all the beautiful angels.”
    She could hear her grandfather huff a rather indignant snort. Lionel Lancaster was not big on religion. Even so, she could feel the increased pressure of his hand on hers as her grandmother spoke, and Janet