The Spider Catcher (Redemption by A.L. Tyler Book 1) by A.L. Tyler Page B

mean, okay…Emily Dickinson, and Edgar Allan Poe, stuff like that is okay. But most of it I just don’t care for.”
    “Emily Dickinson…” Isaac said, taking a step forward and spinning to face her. He pressed his hands together, shutting his eyes in thought. “You like dark things. Emily and Edgar were both fond of graveyards, weren’t they?”
    Ember frowned, pushing past him. “They made death seem beautiful.”
    His smile never slipping, Isaac followed after her. “If you say so.”

Chapter 6
     
    He walked with her back to town, and just as dark was setting in, they found their way to The Garden. Ember looked at the sign, and sighed; the thought of drinking didn’t bother her anymore. She was beginning to look forward to it.
    As they slid through the door, Ember saw Isaac nod to someone across the room. He was already halfway to the bar when Ember spotted Kaylee’s blonde head amidst a group of other girls at a table in the corner. She swung her arms, not sure if she was supposed to follow him or not, until her eyes wandered to the other side of the room.
    Acton was sitting at a table alone, staring down at a book on the table, with one hand raised in the air. Just as she saw him, and without looking up, he motioned to her with his raised hand. Ember smiled in relief as she went over.
    “You look lonely,” Acton said to his book.
    “You haven’t even looked at me,” Ember said, taking the chair across from him.
    Acton slowly closed his book, frowning. “I can see loneliness across a room, darling, especially when it’s radiating from Miss Ember Gillespie in visible waves. How have you been?”
    Ember had clenched her fists and blushed when he said her name, enunciating each syllable like he was using it as a curse. “I think that pretty well covers it, actually.”
    A smile spread across his face as he took her in. “Then you’ve come to the right place. Welcome home.”
    Ember smiled, leaning forward in her chair. “So you’re not trying to impress the new girl anymore? What happened to your coat?”
    Three glasses slammed down on to the table, and Asher slid into the chair next to her.
    “It was destroyed,” Asher grinned, “In an unfortunate gardening accident.”
    “A gardening accident?”
    Acton scowled. “It was ripped while I was climbing a tree.”
    Ember turned back to him. “You climb trees?”
    “He does when I’ve stolen, and then hidden, something of value to him in said tree.” Asher said, pulling a glass toward himself with a small, self-satisfied grin.
    Ember laughed as Acton glowered. “What did you take?”
    “Something he holds very dear.” Asher said with a self-satisfied grin.      
    “In any case, it doesn’t matter.” Acton cleared his throat. “You’re not wearing the coat I gave you, and that’s a far deeper insult. Did you get the books I left for you?”
    The table went quiet; for a moment, Ember wasn’t sure who the question was directed at.
    “Books?” She finally asked in a quiet voice.
    “Books.” Acton repeated. “You came out yesterday for books, but we unfortunately left the bookstore without you having picked out any. After leaving The Garden last night, a sentimental mood caught me, and I left you a few of my favorites on your doorstep.”
    Ember paused; she didn’t remember seeing any books when she had left, but then, she had been upset at the time.
    “Perhaps you should look for them when you go back?” Acton offered. “Of course, that won’t be until tomorrow, with any luck.”
    She couldn’t help herself and smiled. “I will. Thanks.”
    He smiled again, but Ember could tell that he was disappointed. She tried her best to remember, but she still couldn’t see the books on the stoop in her mind’s eye.  She had a fantastic memory, and she had walked right out the front door. If there had been books there, she would have seen them.
    “Isaac seems to be having some luck tonight,” Asher said, looking across the