Reckless Moon Read Online Free PDF Page A

one.”
    “‘ Dulce et decorum est pro… ’”
    “‘ patria mori, ’” Bram finished for her.
    “You know it?” Beth asked, delighted. “You know Latin?”
    “No, but I read. I read a lot. You spend quite a bit of time alone on a ship, and it passes the hours. That means, as I recall, ‘It is a sweet and beautiful thing to die for one’s country.’”
    “Right!” Beth said, pleased.
    Bram got up and poured several fingers of liquor into his glass from the bottle Beth’s father kept on his desk. “Do you think he’ll mind?” he asked Beth.
    “No, go ahead,” she said, watching Bram. He seemed to be drinking a lot.
    He sat again. “Go on, go on,” he said, waving his hand. “Tell me more.”
    Beth didn’t need much encouragement. She launched into a spirited monologue about her life and times, which soon had him laughing and offering amusing comments. They talked until Bram caught Beth glancing at the clock on the wall. They’d been in the den for three hours!
    Bram rose. “I’m keeping you from your guests,” he said quickly. “I mustn’t be so selfish.” He moved to leave.
    Beth jumped up, too. “No, don’t go,” she said anxiously. “Please stay with me.”
    He halted, looking at her with a measuring glance. “All right,” he agreed. “But let me get you something to eat. I’ve had you in here all night.”
    “Fine,” she replied, ready to agree to anything that would keep him with her.
    “What would you like?” he asked.
    Anything, anything. “A hot dog, I guess; I can smell them cooking. And a drink.”
    “Coming up,” he said, heading for the door.
    “You’ll come back?” she asked worriedly.
    “Of course,” he replied gently. “In a flash. Don’t let anybody take my place.”
    As if anyone could, Beth thought. She followed him into the hall, fidgeting, and ran into Mindy Crawford, her best friend.
    “Where have you been?” Mindy asked. “Jim has been looking all over for you.”
    “Mindy, don’t tell him you’ve seen me. I’m hoping he’ll just go home.”
    “What’s going on? This place isn’t that big; you can’t dodge him forever.”
    “Tell him I felt sick and went to bed.”
    “Beth! You can’t do that. We’re in your house. You’re the hostess.”
    “My father is the host. I’m the pain-in-the-neck kid.”
    Mindy opened her mouth to speak, and then stopped at the sound of Jim’s voice behind them. Beth slipped back into the den, but it was too late. He’d seen her, and Mindy shot her a sympathetic glance as she left.
    “I thought you’d taken off,” Jim greeted her.
    “I’ve been around,” Beth said evenly.
    “Have you been avoiding me?” he asked belligerently.
    “I can’t help it if you think so,” Beth said, turning away.
    “Hey, wait a minute,” Jim said, grabbing her arm. “What’s this disappearing act? You’re supposed to be my girl.”
    “Only in your mind,” Beth replied stiffly. He was still holding her, and as she tried to shrug free he tightened his grip.
    “Let me go,” she said fiercely.
    “So you can vanish again? I will not. You’ve been acting pretty weird lately, Beth, and I think I deserve an explanation.”
    “I don’t have to explain anything to you. Let me go!”
    Jim’s hand enclosed her arm like a vise. Tears sprang to her eyes. He was stronger than he looked. She struggled silently.
    “Back off, sonny,” Bram’s voice said behind them.
    Jim spun around. “Who are you?”
    “Does it matter?” Bram said pleasantly. “I’m the guy who’s telling you to let her go, and I’m bigger than you are.”
    Jim released Beth, shooting her a furious glance. He brushed past Bram, heading for the sliding doors to the patio.
    Bram pushed open the study door with his shoulder and set the plate and glass he was carrying on the desk. “Friend of yours?” he asked mildly.
    “He’s a pest,” Beth replied, rubbing her arm. Her face was white with shock.
    Bram noticed her expression. “Hey, take it