Autumn Calling Read Online Free PDF

sense
about these emotions that bombard every aspect of a human’s life. I
don’t know how you weed through that chaos, but I’d like to
understand it more, hence the question.”
    “Well, when you put it that way, it makes me
sad and kind of mad, and then top that off with a little
embarrassment for being selfish.”
    “I’m not sure I follow. I think I understand
the sadness in that you miss him. I know I miss talking with you,
and now I define that ache as sadness. I’m guessing you are mad
because he is not here to help you with your daunting plight, but I
don’t follow when you express embarrassment.”
    “It’s true I am angry that he’s not here,
but I shouldn’t be. It’s not his fault. My embarrassment comes from
the fact that I should be stronger, not depending on him for his
strength. It’s selfish of me to feel cross with him.”
    “I see. Feelings are very complicated,
aren’t they?”
    “They certainly are. And now that Sister
Mary Louise is dead,” she started only to end in another bit of
tears. He pulled her close once more. It felt so perfect and right
to be in his arms, but was it just her emotions in overdrive? His
chin was rough on her forehead as his stubble grazed across it, and
his warmth and strength were intoxicating. Her tears faded with
each stroke of his hand on her head, but she did not pull away and
he did not disengage from his embrace.
    “You must be exhausted. Maybe I should let
you sleep.”
    “Please, don’t go. I don’t want to be
alone.” She knew he might retort with she’s never alone, he’s
always there watching , but he didn’t this time. He did what she
wanted him to do; he scooted back on the bed, making room for her
to lie beside him, and pulled a blanket over her as he lay back on
the pillow with his right arm around her. She laid her head on his
chest and listened to his heart and the rhythm of his
breathing.
    His chest was firm under her cheek as the
palm of his hand cupped her elbow. His very presence soothed away
her anxious, sad thoughts. She’d been alone all her life, save for
Tori. She finally felt her future might not be as lonely as her
past. She’d found her lost family and gained cherished friends
through the turmoil in getting here, but this was something
else.
    This filled a hole in her heart she’d felt
in the past might never be filled. Could she have a life with a
fallen angel? He’d made more of an effort to appease and
accommodate her than any human man, or vampire, ever had. Most
importantly, he was here.
    She closed her eyes in the splendor of his
comforting angelic arms and slept like she’d never slept in her
life.

Chapter 4
     
    When the first rays of sunshine peeked
through the window, kissing Summer’s face with its warmth, she woke
to find she was not alone. Daniel had stayed as he promised, not
ducking out in the morning without a word like so often men do. No,
he watched over her, soothing her fears and sadness.
    She sat up and stretched with a smile on her
lips. “Good morning,” he replied.
    “Morning.”
    “Did you sleep well?”
    “Better than I ever have in my life. Thank
you for staying. I can’t tell you how much it means to me.”
    “I enjoyed it myself. It was very relaxing.
I believe Sully even enjoyed it.”
    “He’ll take any lovin’ he can. How did you
sleep?”
    “I don’t sleep.”
    “You don’t?”
    “No. I’m a watcher, remember. I wouldn’t be
a very good watcher if I slept.”
    “No. I guess not. But now I feel bad you had
to lay there all night on my account.”
    He reached up and stroked her cheek,
brushing a stray lock of hair away from her eyes. “Please don’t
feel bad. It is one of the best experiences I’ve ever had in all my
many years.”
    “You’re kidding, right?”
    “No. I’ve just started using jocular antics,
so I’m not very good at it yet.”
    “You’re telling me that lying there awake
all night next to me was a highlight in your life? I find that hard
to