Free Edge of Shadows (Shadows #1) by Cege Smith Page A

he said.
    “Let’s not get all crazy now,” she laughed.

CHAPTER NINE
    David walked into his apartment Saturday afternoon thoroughly exhausted. He threw himself on his couch and thought about sleeping for the next twenty-four hours straight. His work usually invigorated him, but he had been running on fumes and caffeine for weeks. The residency had been a lot more intense than he had anticipated.
    Although being a doctor was immensely satisfying, David wondered if he was cut out for the long hours and personal sacrifice. David wasn’t the type to shy away from a challenge, and once he started something he wanted to be the best at it that he could be. But he didn’t remember ever having a choice in the matter when it came to his profession. His parents had said that he would be a doctor, and that had been that. He vaguely recalled his mother saying that being a doctor would help him meet girls too.
    Speaking of mother figures, Linda had called him at the hospital that afternoon to confirm for the third time in the last two days that he was going to be at her dinner party that evening. Although he was more than a little annoyed at the constant reminding, the way that she gushed about how excited Ellie was to see him made him feel really good. He was excited to see her too. He hoped that he’d get to know her better that evening.
    Although he knew next to nothing about her, Ellie seemed to have everything that he had been searching for in a woman. She was beautiful and strong-willed. She was obviously self-sufficient and successful. She enjoyed quiet time with her dog. The people close to her adored her and went to great lengths to see that she was happy. She was the kind of girl he could proudly take home to his folks.
    David pushed himself off the sofa. As much as he wanted sleep, he was realizing his soul craved something else. And with each passing day, he was becoming more certain that something else was Ellie Coulter.
     
    Ellie walked slowly up the curved driveway that led to Linda’s house. She could hear classical music from the house drifting in the air, and she wondered if it was being pumped outside. She couldn’t help but stare at the house. She would classify it as a mansion actually. It was a pretty pink-white stucco that would look perfectly in place on an Italian hillside. Each window facing the front lawn had lit tapered candles in it, giving a soft glow to the patio outside. It had the feeling of expectation, warmth, and satisfaction all at the same time.
    Ellie ran a hand along her hair again, smoothing imaginary strands this time. She didn’t want to think about how much the trip to stylist had cost, but she was secretly delighted with the results. Her hair shone with new life now that the split ends were gone, and it had a soft wave that framed her face. It still fell well below her shoulders, and she had chosen to leave it loose for the evening with a silver broach swept up on one side to keep it out of her face. Kevin and Eric had insisted that she highlight her best features.
    Her nails were an apple red that she could see even in the moonlight, and the color matched the fitted silk blouse that Kevin had insisted on. Black faux pearls encircled her throat. Her skirt clung to her hips and tapered ever so slightly at the bottom. She felt awkward in the black heels, but she knew without asking her shopping companions earlier that day that the shoes made the outfit.
    Inwardly she cringed again at how much money she had spent, but she couldn’t deny the fact that she felt beautiful and confident in a way that she hadn’t in a very long time. She hoped she wouldn’t blush if her friends reacted too strongly to her new look. She was so deep in thought that she didn’t hear the footsteps behind her.
    “Ellie?” A voice broke her reverie.
    Ellie jumped with a sharp intake of breath and she whirled around.
    David was looking at her anxiously. “I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to startle you.” He