Before the Moon Rises
Janet stood and
    started to pace.
    "I know," he murmured.
    "That's it, I know? Don't you have anything else to say
    now that you're human again?"
    "I'm sorry."
    Janet cocked her head to one side. She felt the tears
    stinging the back of her lids again. "I'm sorry, too. I thought
    maybe we had a future together."
    "We do have a future, Janet." Max shortened the distance
    between them.
    She backed farther away and put her hands in front of her.
    "No. We don't."
    "Don't say that." he insisted. His arms circled her
    shoulders. He forced her to meet his gaze. "We are meant to
    be together."
    Janet shook her head.
    "Yes, we are."
    87

    Before the Moon Rises
    by Catherine Bybee
    Her resolve started to crumble. Her body wanted to
    weaken and slip into his embrace. Not again. She pushed
    against his chest and ran from the room.
    "Come back!" he yelled as she ran from his home.
    Janet slept for the better part of three days following her
    nightmare. During all hours of the day Max called, leaving
    messages.
    She didn't call back. She needed time.
    Her life was completely upside down. She dreamt of Max in
    and out of his wolf form. Every morning she reminded herself
    that it wasn't a dream.
    Werewolves did exist. She knew one up close and
    personal.
    The reality of that little fact made her question all life as
    she knew it.
    If werewolves were real, than who was to say vampires
    were not? What about shape shifters and demons from the
    underworld?
    Crazy talk, that's what it all was. But who was to say it
    was only make believe? Perhaps her crazy patients weren't so
    nuts after all.
    Her fourth day in bed was interrupted by the phone
    ringing. Her caller ID reported her father on the other line.
    Rolling over she dragged the receiver to her ear.
    "Janet honey, is that you?"
    "You called me, dad."
    "Oh, yeah. I did, didn't I?" His laughter brought a smile to
    her face despite the pain in her heart.
    "What do you need, dad?"
    88

    Before the Moon Rises
    by Catherine Bybee
    "Can't a father call his child to say hi?"
    Janet rubbed her eyes and sat up. "Someone else's dad,
    maybe, but not you."
    "You know me too well, girl."
    "So what's up?"
    Philip took a noisy breath that sounded like a groan over
    the line. "I'm having a cup of coffee with a friend of yours."
    "Really, who?" Janet kicked the sheets off and sat on the
    edge of the bed.
    "Someone who asked if it would be okay if he married
    you."
    She paused, digested her fathers words. "Max." she
    whispered his name.
    Philip let out a hoot. "I'm glad you guessed his name. I
    was beginning to worry about this one."
    "Is he sitting right there?" Janet asked completely awake.
    "Yeah, he's a nice guy, Janet. Did you know he drove a
    Ferrari? Nothing wrong with a guy who drives a car like that if
    you ask me."
    "No one's asking you, dad."
    "He did. Kind of old-fashioned of him, but I have to admit I
    liked it."
    "Put him on the phone," she said.
    "He says you're not taking his calls."
    She was about to blow her top. "Put him on the phone!"
    "Okay, okay...geez."
    "Hi, beautiful." Max's voice purred over the line, sending
    instant shockwaves over her body. Her heart lunged.
    "Hi, Max."
    89

    Before the Moon Rises
    by Catherine Bybee
    "Your dad's a nice guy, even if he is making me pay for the
    coffee."
    "What are you doing?" He sounded so calm, so sure of
    himself.
    "Having coffee, and asking your father for your hand."
    "You're crazy, you know that?" She kept her voice even,
    although it threatened to crack.
    "I've been called worse." He sighed into the phone. "I need
    to see you, Janet. I can't sleep, I can't eat."
    His plea pressed on every nerve in her body. She ached for
    him, too. "A bit extreme of you to pretend you want to marry
    me."
    "I'm not pretending, Janet. I am going to marry you. It
    might take me years to convince you we belong together, but
    I'm in for the long haul. I'm not going anywhere."
    The lump in her throat caught, he sounded so sincere.
    "How can I trust you? How will I

Similar Books

White Nights

Ann Cleeves

Manshape

John Brunner

The Widower's Wife

Bice Prudence

At the Tycoon's Command

Shawna Delacourt