Dream of Me Read Online Free PDF Page A

couldn’t seem to think of anything else but him. Scoffing, she rolled her eyes at the silliness of it all. She must be feeling this way from the grief of losing her mother and not from some dream.

    Shaking her head at the thought, she bundled up her receipts and cash before heading to the back office. Putting away the night’s deposit, she was in the process of locking the safe when Angel appeared in the doorway with Lena resting her tired face in the crook of her mother’s neck. After returning the cleaning supplies to the designated corner in the office, Angel lingered in the doorway in silence.

    “You can go ahead if you’re done up front,” Elena offered with a friendly smile.

    Covering a yawn, Angel shook her head in denial. “No, I can wait.” No sooner than the words left her mouth Lena began fussing within her mother’s arms. Looking down at her very tired daughter, Angel shot Elena a conflicting look.

    Shaking her head at her friend’s stubbornness, she rose from her crouched position before the safe. “Go home, Angel. You’re both dead on your feet, I am almost done here.”

    Pausing a second with indecision, Angel asked, “Are you sure?”

    Nodding her head, Elena waved her hand dismissively at her friend. “Go on.”

    Slowly spinning around on her heels, retrieving her purse and diaper bag, Angel returned to stand in the lit doorway of the office. “Be careful going home,” she said in her usual parting words. It amused Elena how her friend would act more like a mother to her than a friend when it came to matters of safety.

    “Don’t worry, Mom ,” she teased.

    Shaking her head, Angel turned and headed for the door. The sound of the front door closing behind her reminded Elena that she was now alone. She never liked staying at the store alone after hours. The stillness and lurking shadows behind the windows and doors sent chills through her bones.. After double checking that she shut off all the lights and turned on the security system, she grabbed her purse and locked the front door behind her.

    Stepping out onto the sidewalk she began making her way home. While she walked along the empty sidewalk, the bright lights of cars passed by in quick flashes. Raising her face up to the light of the full moon, she smiled. Lately the sight of the moon filled her with a warm comfort and drew her thoughts back to Kieran. Groaning in self-disgust, she jerked her face down. She refused to let her mind dwell on things that would only bring her more pain. It was a stupid dream! No matter how real it seemed, it wasn’t real at all.

    As her attention was on her wayward thoughts she didn’t hear the sound of approaching footsteps until it was too late. Without warning she found herself shoved face first against a rough brick building. Cruel hands gripped the back of her neck, holding her pinned as she fought to free herself.

    “Don’t move!” a deep voice hissed out before the feel of a cool barrel was pressed against her back. Icy fear invaded her mind as she fought to keep from screaming.

    Another pair of hands struck out and ripped her purse off of her shoulder. She forced her body to remain still as her heart hammered in her ears. Fear had her hands clawing against the bricks while her attackers held her immobile. She’d never been mugged before and could only pray that they would take what few dollars lay in her wallet and leave her unharmed.

    From behind, she could hear a second man cursing as he tossed her purse aside. “There’s just twenty bucks here, Bill! What a waste!” Cursing in anger, the one called Bill jerked Elena around to face the pair of them.

    The both of them were simple looking street thugs dressed in dark, baggy clothes and had similar thin features. Not that she spent much time memorizing their appearance, her eyes quickly focused on the small revolver that was aimed at her face. Bill narrowed his eyes at her as he waved his gun at her with intent.

    “Pat her