Read Online Pulled to the Dark (The Siriena Series) by Julia P. Lynde - Free Book Online

earlobe.
    I didn't know what was going on with me, but whatever it was, I didn't want it to stop.
    * * *
    I took the train home with Karen Friday night. "I'm going for a drive tomorrow," I told her. "Would you like to go?"
    "I can't tomorrow," she said. "I am helping Petra prepare for the party. I would love to go another time."
    Beth and I talked for hours on Friday instead of Saturday. I told her about my new apartment and about why I'd moved. She was thrilled to death on one hand and scared to death on the other.
    She told me about her new guy. He sounded pretty good. So far, he was treating her right, and that was the important part.
    She asked me about my dream lover. I sighed.
    * * *
    Friday night, when Dream Petra began tickling my feet, I was able to pull them away from her. She clapped her hands in joy then rewarded me with some pretty serious kissing.
    "Please don't stop," I told her.
    "Soon," she whispered in my ear as I woke up.
    * * *
    Saturday morning I looked at my map. It was a chilly autumn day, and I had a time limit. But it was beautiful, and I wanted to go for a walk somewhere interesting. There was a beautiful state park an hour north out of town, and they had fabulous hiking trails.
    I showered and dressed in jeans, a warm denim shirt, and my hiking shoes. I pulled my long, red hair into a pony tail . I wore a hat and gloves. I brought a backpack with food, water and my camera.
    It was a lovely drive with no traffic. There were a few people at the park, but it felt like I had it to myself.
    I picked a four-hour loop to a good lookout point and set out. It felt great. The trail started in a lowland meadow, then proceeded into a large grove of trees before it began climbing up to the ridge over the St. Croix river . I attacked the upward slope with gusto and was soon breathing hard, but pushed through it.
    My two-hour hike consumed an hour. I took a bunch of pictures, ate my lunch anyway, and took more pictures.
    I did some yoga stretches before beginning the second half of the loop. It went even faster than the first half did. I checked the trails map and decided I had time for another loop with an estimated duration of two hours. I spent an hour and a half, including a significant amount of time photographing a field of autumn flowers.
    I had never felt so amazing.
    I drove home and took the elevator up to Petra's floor. I knocked on her door and waited.
    Karen opened it. "You're early," she said. "And what are you wearing?"
    "I just wanted fifteen seconds with Petra, if she's not too busy."
    "Come on in," Karen said. "She's in the kitchen." She raised her voice. "Petra, it's Felicia."
    "Kitchen, Felicia," I heard her say.
    When I stepped into the kitchen, Petra had her hands in a sink of dishes. She looked over her shoulder at me. "Is everything all right?"
    "Yes!" I said, bouncing over to her. "I just came by to say Thank you! Thank you! Thank you!"
    She laughed. "You're welcome. What did I do?"
    "I spent the day in a state park, and I never felt so amazing. Normally I walk along those trails, plod along them, really. I didn't plod today. I felt great!"
    She and Karen both laughed. "I know what you mean," Karen said. "I used to be the same way."
    "You both are welcome, then," Petra said. "Of course, if you were really thankful, you could wash these dishes for me."
    "I'd love to," I said.
    She laughed again. "I was teasing."
    "Move it, boss-lady," I told her. "I can't do your cooking for you, but I can wash some dishes. I promise not to break more than two or three."
    She relinquished the kitchen, draping a towel over my shoulder.
    "Is there anything sharp hiding in this water?" I asked.
    "No," she said. "That's a bad habit that we don't do in my kitchen."
    "Good," I said. I plunged my hands into the water and began washing. "Who is coming tonight and what do you want me to do?"
    "The party is for some of our more prestigious clients," Petra said. "There are always a few no-shows, but I expect eight to