To Thine Own Self Be True Read Online Free PDF

good java.”
    Nick stood silently for a moment, watching me pour cereal. Not that I had any appetite for it.
    “I’m really sorry about your friend,” he said.
    I nodded, knowing if I talked any more about Mandy I might as well dump my Wheaties down the drain. “Lucy and I will be out most of the day fixing up whatever the storm damaged. I’m not sure what time you’re taking off, but at least come find me before you go.”
    Lucy became very interested in whatever the refrigerator held, her head ducking down behind the door. Nick looked at me steadily.
    “I thought I’d stick around, help out where I could. I mean, you do have those extra coveralls.” He smiled, and I wondered how on earth he could be so pleasant that early in the morning. “Besides, the roads aren’t open for us regular travelers yet.”
    “Oh,” I said. “Okay.”
    Lucy emerged from the fridge and set a gallon of milk on the table. “We’ve got a line-up of cereal in the cupboard, or if you’re not ready for that we have orange juice and bananas.”
    “Those Lucky Charms are looking good,” he said. “Tess’ choice?”
    Lucy laughed. “How’d you guess?”
    I turned and leaned against the counter. “Will she be okay in here by herself today?”
    Lucy sat at the table and poured some of the Wheaties into her bowl. “She’ll sleep for a couple more hours, I would think. I left her a note telling her I’ll be outside. I’ll check on her when we’re done milking.”
    I took a deep breath, remembering that Billy Moore’s mother wouldn’t be checking on him that morning. Or ever again.
    Nick took a seat, prompting me to eat my cereal standing up. Lucy gave me a look I couldn’t quite read, but I was pretty sure she thought I was being ridiculous. I soon set my empty bowl in the sink and reached for the Bag Balm on the window sill. My hands, never in great shape, dried out and cracked like mad during the winter. It’s impossible to wear gloves during milking, and the constant cold and wetness wreaked havoc on my skin. I took special care to rub ointment over my new tattoo, which had become slightly red and sore. A normal reaction to a new tattoo, and nothing to worry about. I looked at the inscription, wondering for the hundredth time where Wolf had gone, and if he was okay. Or even alive.
    “All right,” I said. “I’m headed out.”
    Lucy waved her spoon at her bowl. “I’ll be there soon.”
    I smothered myself in outerwear and waded through the drifts toward the barn. Queenie greeted me in the parlor, straw clinging to her fur, and I rubbed her head and ears, trying to transfer some of her positive energy to myself. She was warm and content, feeling virtuous, I was sure, for guarding the herd through the night. I was almost done clipping the cows into their stalls when Lucy appeared.
    “You okay?” she asked.
    I snapped another cow’s collar in place. “I’ll be better when I know what’s happened to Wolf.”
    “Right.” She hesitated. “You know, about Nick, at least he’s making the effort to—”
    “Don’t, Lucy.”
    She shrugged. “All right.”
    Temple Radio was playing Mozart, and I was glad for the upbeat music. I was a little surprised the DJ had made it to the station, until I remembered he probably lived on campus and could walk to work. On snowshoes.
    I had just finished a sneeze brought on by hay dust when Nick came through the door.
    “Bless you,” he said.
    “Thanks.”
    We looked at each other. Or what we could see of each other, underneath the layers. Queenie jumped out of her corner to say hello to Nick, licking his face and receiving a good rubbing in return.
    “What do you want me to do?” Nick asked.
    I gestured him over. “Here. The cows all need hay.” I pulled a clump of it apart and scattered it on the floor. “Just spread it out like this in front of them.”
    He grabbed some hay from the bale and yanked at it, sending more dust into the air.
    I sneezed again.
    Nick smiled.