"L. Lee Lowe - Mortal Ghost" - читать интересную книгу автора (Lowe L Lee)

the only one standing in the sun.'

'Ursula's partner wanted to remove the tree so visitors could appreciate the sundials better, but Ursula wouldn't
hear of it. Most of these are only display pieces, though I think one or two might be current orders.'

'Sundials have to be calibrated for a specific site in order to be accurate.'

'You do read a lot, don't you?'

He appeared not to hear. 'Isn't she afraid someone might steal them?'

'They're far too heavy.'

'Anyone could hop over this fence and vandalise them.'
Chapter 3 18

'More tempting stuff to go after, I suppose.' She gave him a sideways glance. 'Do you always expect the
worst?'

'It's best to be prepared.'

Automatically he groped in his pocket for a cigarette, but came up only with an empty matchbox.

'You smoke?' Sarah asked, more observant than Jesse was used to -- more, perhaps, than he cared for.

'Sometimes. Did Ursula make the one in your garden?'

'Yeah. My mother spent hours arguing with her about the design. She can be a right pain in the
you-know-what sometimes -- my mum, I mean.'

'Your mother's a very interesting woman.'

'That's what everyone says,' Sarah said drily.

Jesse turned his gaze away from the sundials.

'There are many different kinds of gifts,' he said, then shook his head and ran his hand back and forth over the
scrollwork on the gate. 'Sorry, that was really dumb of me. I hate such platitudes.' He continued to rub at the
metal with a fingertip, his whole attention concentrated on erasing his words.

'It's OK. I genuinely admire her. Like her, too. It's just that ...'

'Yeah, I can imagine.'

Sarah studied his face for a moment without speaking. When he wasn't frowning, his features had the soft
look of an old pair of jeans, familiar and comfortable and worn. Like someone you might have known forever.
Even his eyes, when they shed their brittle layer of mica, turned the colour of her favourite stonewashed
denim. There was no stubble on his face, but she could tell that he'd soon be shaving.

He turned his head and met her eyes. Caught off guard, she flushed.