Shades of Truth (The Summerlynn Secrets) Read Free

His tone was completely unconcerned.
    “The forest?”
    “A group of trees is normally referred to as a forest, or woods, if the term is unfamiliar.” I again heard the smile in his voice.
    “I know what a forest is, ” I snapped. “I have no intention of sleeping in it. We shall simply have to press on to Lisbon.”
    “No. I am tired, as is Brutus, and, if you will admit it, you as well.” He suddenly sounded tired.
    “It is only just dark, and you are tired?” I mocked. “Perhaps it is past your bedtime?” I knew I was being provoking but there was something disturbing about this man. His very presence needled me.
    “It will seem late enough after a few miles of walking.” We walked a few more steps, my feet dragging me even further behind him. “Please stay where I can see you. I cannot have you wandering off and being captured by those men.”
    “That hardly concerns you.” I stayed where I was, three steps behind and even with Brutus’ flank.
    “Considering I would feel compelled to rescue you, it is very much my concern.”
    Quickening my stride, I reached his side. “Why am I so important to you?”
    “You’re not.” His blunt answer caused my eyebrows to rise in surprise.
    “Then why insist on dragging me to Lisbon? The town will be there regardless of whether I am.”
    “Yes, but your father may not be.”
    “And you must speak with my father?” At his nod, I continued, “After two entire days of talk, I should think you both heartily sick of the other.” He shrugged.
    We walked a while in silence as I tried to piece together what Colton was not saying. He had some business with my father, something so important it required more than two days of discussion. He didn’t blink an eye when I was shoved into his arms, and he kept calm during the mob’s pursuit. I was well and truly confused, and not a little intrigued about the man I was with.
    “Why did my father send me with you?” I folded my arms around my waist, the evening air chillier than the day had been. Even the exertion of our walk couldn’t keep the cooler air from raising goose bumps along my bare arms.
    “He probably thought you’d be safer with me, sweetheart.” Again the endearment slipped easily from his lips. It would. Handsome men are accustomed to female company.
    “Why am I safer with you than with my own father?”
    “Honestly?” Colton shot me a knowing glance. “I believe your father was matchmaking.”
    “You? He wants me to marry you?” I couldn’t help the incredulous tone of my voice. Handsome though he may be, he was not at all my type. I preferred quiet, easily handled men I could leave in the corner and not worry about.
    “You are at least twenty, and unwed. He must be worried.” Instead of being offended by my reaction, he sounded amused.
    “No more so than your own parents, I imagine.”
    That startled a laugh from him. The sound was strangely full and carried in the stillness of the forest. “My parents have given up on me marrying. Recently, my mother suggested marriage frightens me witless.”
    “Does it?” He was altogether too handsome to be unattached. Unless he was hiding a deep, dark secret. In that case, it made perfect sense for him to be alone.
    “Does it what?” His head abruptly turned, and he threw an arm out to halt our progress. Putting a finger to his lips, he looked off to our right. I hadn’t heard anything, but Colton apparently had super sensitive ears. Must make him impossible to live with.
    We listened in silence for a few minutes. This reminder of our precarious situation caused me to shiver. Or perhaps it was the night air. What if the men caught us? Were they after my father or me? I wasn’t certain which side I was on, and until I figured that out, staying out of everyone’s way seemed the best solution.
    Now anxious, I stepped closer to Colton. His gaze remained focused on the trees around us, as if he expected an enemy to appear at any moment. After another