Free A Shadow's Light BK 2 by J.M.Pierce

said regretfully.
    “I hope you enjoyed your lunch,” she replied.
    “The lunch was fine,” Test hesitated as he kicked at the ground. “The company was exceptional.”
    Alyssa stood and took Test’s hand into hers. “Do it again tomorrow?”
    Test nodded his head and began to walk away, letting his hand slip softly from her grasp. After several steps, he looked over his shoulder to see her still standing, watching him as he disappeared into the trees.
    As he walked back into the clearing of the job site, he saw James standing by the truck, grinning and clapping his hands. Test extended his middle finger with a smile and changed direction. He stepped back into the maze of two by fours, and as he glanced through the skeleton work, he saw a dark figure standing at the opposite end of the cabin. He stared at it for a moment, the figure unmoving and solid. He blinked once and the figure was gone.
    What the hell is going on? he thought to himself with a rush of fear pounding through his veins.
    He reached back and touched the cut on his head as he scanned his surroundings. Seeing no one, he cautiously picked up his tool belt and sighed as he fastened it to his waist. With the sound of saws cutting through the silence of the woods, he picked up the nail gun and went back to work.

Chapter 9
     
    The day had ended without incident, and as he leaned against the truck, Test watched Alyssa picking up bits of trash strewn around the work site.
    “How’s it goin’ studly?”
    Test shuttered at the sound of James’s voice coming from behind him. Knowing that he had been busted admiring Alyssa’s blessings, he spun to see James lifting a water jug to his lips. Embarrassed, Test quickly jumped away from the truck and turned to his foreman.
    “Uh…pretty good,” he replied. Though he tried, Test couldn’t keep the smirk from his lips as his faced flushed a bright shade of red.
    “You talked to Enrique at all today?” asked James with a raised eyebrow.
    Confused, Test replied. “No. Why; something wrong?”
    “No, not at all. I figured after the ass chewin’ you took this morning that he would be a son of a bitch to work with.”
    “So he’s been in a good mood?” asked Test.
    “Well, I think he feels bad about ripping you so hard this morning. He’s asked me how you were doing several times today.”
    “Really?” asked Test, remembering the conversation with Alyssa over lunch.
    “Yeah, but don’t say anything,” replied James.
    Test answered sincerely. “I won’t. Thanks for letting me know.”
    With a pat on the back, James left Test to finish packing up for the day. Test looked around the sight. The light was beginning to fade, and a sudden moment of peace washed over him. They were so far and few between that he closed his eyes and savored it.
    Hearing a loud bang, Test opened his eyes and quickly turned around. His moment of peace had been interrupted by a door slamming behind him. It was Enrique packing up his truck. Quickly, almost bashfully, Enrique looked at Test and nodded his head in acknowledgment of his presence. Test returned the gesture with a quick wave of his hand and a head nod of his own. Letting his eyes drop to the ground until Enrique had walked away, he turned and looked up to the skeletal cabin.
    Through the structure, he could see two figures standing on the ground behind. Once his eyes were able to focus through the maze, he could see it was Alyssa and another man. With an unexpected rush of jealousy, he began to walk towards them, and as he did, he could see that Alyssa was backing away. It was then Test could see who she was with.
    Eric stood with his arms open and walked steadily toward her as she continued to back away from him. Test’s pace quickened and as he came around the corner, Alyssa turned.
    Surprised and seemingly relieved, Alyssa spoke. “Chance, I’m ready to help you with that thing if you’re ready for me?” Her voice was quivering slightly and her face was