The Judge and the Gypsy Read Online Free PDF

so long as he understood that this obsession was mutual, he was willing to play along until he could learn the truth. She obviously had a plan, and he wanted to know what it was.
    After all, he reasoned, she was only a woman, though she was the most beautiful woman he’d ever seen. He was mature in mind and body, and he could handle whatever she was planning.
More rationalization
, an inner voice chided him.
    “I understand that there are certain people who have the rare ability to communicate with animals,” he admitted, “and sometimes telepathically with people too.”
    “Yes. But I don’t—” Her voice faltered, and she lowered her eyes. She was giving away too much, too much that even she didn’t understand. For a moment she let her mask fall, compelled to be truthful with him. “I don’t normally connect with strangers. I don’t know how to explain this … bonding with you, and that bothers me too.”
    He took her hand. She was surprised at his gesture. For a moment she felt a shiver race through her, as if by his voluntarily touching her, he’d given his approval to their connection. For a moment she allowed herself to simply look at him, be with him, to acknowledge the confusion she felt, to register the promise of desire between them. No man’s presence had ever unsettled her before as this one’s did.
    He blinked and gave a slight shake of his head as if he, too, was caught up in the moment.
Good
. She was glad to know that he was as bothered as she. At least part of her plan was working.
    Rasch turned her small hand over in his large one and examined it. His fingers encountered the well-callused palm, and he pursed his lips. “Ah, Lady, you are a mystery that I shall have to solve. You bring out something primitive in me, something I’m not quite certain I understand. Are you truly all-seeing?”
    No, she wanted to say, but the disturbing current of desire was there, ever present between them. Her pulse sang, and her skin heated beneath his touch. Something was happening between them, something she hadn’t intended and couldn’t control. She pulled her hand away, no longer trusting herself in such proximity to him.
    Maybe this was not a good idea. Maybe she should have heeded Niko’s warning not to do this. But she had to be the one to punish the judge; otherwise her father would do it himself. He was too old, and the risks too great.
    The plan had seemed so easy. She didn’t have to do anything except make the judge fall in love with her. And without knowing it, he was already halfway there, she felt sure. But she’d never considered that her own heart might be in danger, or that the bewitched could be so bewitching.
    She knew now that he’d take her along on his journey. She let out a measured sigh. She would have ten days to fulfill her vow. Ten days to destroy Judge Horatio Webber, the man who’d killed her brother.
    The bells around Savannah’s ankle jingled merrily as they left the café. Climbing into the compact truck, she gave Rasch a conspiratorial smile, tossed her head, and sent her rich black hair flying in the crisp mountain air.
    “Thank you for the food, Crusader. Perhaps sometime I’ll cook for you in return.”
    “I think you ought to know that I don’t like mushrooms, and poisoned apples are out of vogue. Besides,what about the friend you said you’re meeting?”
    “One never knows about friends. That’s why I filled my pockets with junk food and bread crumbs,” she quipped. “If I’m abandoned, I have food. If I get lost, I’ll follow my trail of bread crumbs through the woods.”
    “A regular Girl Scout,” Rasch responded with an answering laugh. “Be prepared.”
    Suddenly the day seemed a lot brighter. The drive was quiet and private. The small truck hugged the side of the mountain as they wound their way up it. Only occasionally did they pass another automobile or camper. They continued to climb, looping back and forth like a ribbon across the side of