Read Online Reap (The Harvest Saga Book 1) by Casey L. Bond - Free Book Online

by a hint of warm, golden brown. Streaked gold radiated from the pupil outward. It was stunning. His sable hair was worn longer than what was considered proper in our village. It brushed his brow and curled around his ears, and at the nape of his neck, it flipped out. He was tall, at least as tall as Kyan. “Miss?”
    “Yes.” I finally breathed. “I’m okay.”
    He watched me for a moment and then relaxed. “Did he hurt you? I saw how he was holding your arm.”
    I rubbed it absentmindedly. “I’m fine. Thanks for helping, by the way.” I looked down.
    “No problem. Can I ask a favor from you? Two, actually.”
    I nodded, looking at those eyes again. “One. Try not to get caught alone with him again.” He ticked his head in the direction Zander had fled.
    “Easier said than done. I don’t see him alone often, but I am often alone, so if he’s determined to find me, he will. Two?”
    “Do you know where I can find Kyan Marks?”
    “That one is much easier. Ky’s my best friend, and my team leader. I’ll take you to him.” I smiled, took a few steps and waved for him to follow.
    “Kyan is a male,” he stated, though it sounded more like a question.
    “Yes.” I drawled.
    “Women and men are allowed to socialize here?” His eyebrows raised.
    “Of course. We all work together in the orchards and some are friends.”
    A look of confusion knitted his brow, my face mirroring his own. “Which village are you from?”
    “Cotton.”
    “And, are girls not allowed to speak with guys in your village?”
    He blushed, a ruddy color filling his pale white cheeks. “Only on special occasions. They divide the fields by gender to prevent fraternization. Occasionally they have a banquet dinner or dance in which all can attend and socialize. Other than that...”
    We walked into the orchard and down one of its many rows. “How strange. I wonder why the rules in your village differ so much from our own.”
    He shrugged. His white t-shirt clung to his biceps and his jeans hung perfectly from his body. The work boots he wore were barely scuffed, the warm brown leather pristine. Weird. We never received new shoes. Only worn ones recycled from other villages. Sometimes the soles were worn through when we got them.
    He caught me looking at his shoes, turned red again and quickened his pace. “I got lucky. This pair came in our shipment about a week ago. It looks like they’d barely been worn and they were my size, so I grabbed them before anyone else did.” He smiled.
    “You’re lucky.”
    He nodded.
    “Hey, what’s your name?” I asked.
    “Crew.”
    “Well, Crew. It sure was nice to meet you this morning. Thank you again,” I put my hand out to shake his and he looked unsure. Finally his hand met my own, his warm and soft. It wasn’t calloused like Kyan’s, or even mine, from working in the orchards. Very strange. He pulled his hand back and cleared his throat, looking uneasy at me from the corner of his eyes.
    Kyan appeared from around a tree. “Hey, Abby.” He hugged me lightly and placed a small kiss upon my temple. He’d done this a thousand times, but somehow, with Crew watching, it felt strange and I pulled away from him quickly, awkwardly. My face was on fire. Kyan was rattled by my abrupt withdrawal. I could tell. I knew he’d been angry that I’ve been pulling away from him in general, but physically doing so was something else. Something between us had changed. He looked past me to Crew.
    “Ky, this is Crew. He’s been assigned to your team.”
    “Oh, hey man. Welcome and thanks for your help with our harvest.” The two locked hands and sized each other up the way guys do, each straightening up to full height. Crew was taller than Kyan, but only by an inch or so. I rolled my eyes and crossed my arms. Really, guys?
    “Sure, man. Show me where to get started.”
    Despite my obvious reluctance, Ky pulled me in for another quick hug and then said, “Abs, can you start right down there with