Read Lights and Shadows (Oregon In Love) for Free Online

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favorite of his. New and used books were crammed onto mismatched
antique bookshelves from floor to ceiling. People from many walks of
life milled about reading, searching, conversing in low tones, or
just hanging out to be seen. She loved the private coves and coffee
room that made it a welcome place to commune with the printed word.
    “ Is your book here?” Julia asked.
    “ Not yet,” he said, threading her through the crowd.
“It was just released and they won’t get their shipment until
next week. I had a few advance copies I gave out to friends.”
    A woman, trailed by several children, ran into Julia’s
side, which in turn caused her to bump into Marc. At the unexpected
contact, she murmured an apology, feeling impatient with herself for
the way her pulse skittered in reaction.
    He led her out of the way. “In two weeks the store
will be featuring authors from the Northwest who will be here in
person to sign books.”
    “ You’ll be here then?”
    Marc sent her a lazy grin. “Gotta pay those bills.”
    Julia blinked. In a white linen shirt with a dark, nubby
vest and faded blue jeans, he looked unbelievably handsome. She
cleared her throat. “Can they reserve copies of your book?”
    “ I’m sure it would be no problem.”
    “ Then I’ll do that now. I want to support the only
celebrity I know. At least make sure his lights stay on.”
    With a low laugh, he followed her to the front counter.
After Julia finished her order at the front desk, they walked among
the rows of books. Marc showed her some of his favorite
sections—including a section of old Bibles. He mused about the many
hands each copy must have passed through. His words brought a vague
sense of guilt. She hadn’t been reading her Bible as often as she
ought.
    After a while, he went off to find a specific title.
Julia assured him she was content to browse by herself. In a corner
section, she found a selection of cookbooks. Noticing several titles
by her favorite chef, she scanned the row for the book she wanted.
Julia pulled it off the shelf and tucked it under her arm. Just as
she was about to begin a search for Marc, she looked up and found her
way blocked by a large man dressed in a neo-bohemian style. The odor
emanating from him indicated he apparently didn’t bathe often.
    “ Excuse me,” she said.
    At first it appeared he wouldn’t move, then after
leering at her, he stepped to the side. The man seemed to enjoy the
way she had to edge around him as she pressed herself hard against
the opposite bookshelf. Her pulse raced with fear. Just as she made
it past, he snatched her book away.
    “ This is the one I was looking for,” he said, his
eyes raking her from head to toe.
    “ Are you ready to go?”
    Julia recognized Marc’s voice from behind. When he
touched her upper arm, she leaned against him in relief. In a moment,
he had her well away from the man and out into the open where she
could catch her breath.
    “ Sorry about that,” he said, his dark eyes full of
concern. “Are you okay?”
    Julia gave him what she hoped was a reassuring smile.
“Yes. For some reason, being as short as I am seems to bring out
the bully in people.”
    “ Or it can make them feel protective.”
    Julia bit her lip. His comment upset her equilibrium
even more than her encounter with the stranger. Deciding not to
refine too much on Marc’s words, she asked him if he was ready to
leave.
    “ What about your book? Do you want me to get back and
get it from that guy?”
    Suppressing a shiver, she shook her head. “No. It
wasn’t anything important.”
    Outside, Julia noticed the sun had disappeared. Clouds
piled up in the sky as they hopped on the train. They got off a few
blocks from the coffee shop, the sky growing blacker by the minute.
    She looked up in awe. “It's like night out here!”
    Marc glanced up at the sky. “It changes fast, that’s
for sure.”
    A chill wind caused goose bumps to form on her bare
arms. Fat raindrops splattered