Read Online A Heartbeat Away by Harry Kraus - Free Book Online Page B

touch her. See her. She wants it.
    After all, it is my life. I’m an adult. Why should I let others determine my destiny?
    She’d whispered an invitation into the phone that afternoon. “I’ve been taking my temperature. I need to see you tonight.”
    His heart galloped at the memory. Hooves stamping against his chest.
    At the fence bordering Emily’s family farm, Christian flipped off the flashlight and hoisted himself chest first over the top board. As his right leg swung forward, he snagged his jeans, slowing his progress—not enough to stop him altogether, but just enough to send him sprawling onto the dirt. He uttered a rare curse and gripped his knee. His fingers explored the torn fabric and met moisture. Dew? He gasped. Blood!
    He fumbled with the flashlight and peered through the cut edges of his favorite Levi’s jeans. He frowned. The skin over his kneecap was folded back exposing a palate of red, yellow, and white. Christian moaned and pulled off his black T-shirt, one he’d selected to help him blend with the night. He pushed the shirt down over the wound as the pain proclaimed its presence, first with a whisper like a hint of smoke and then building until it seemed that his whole leg was on fire.
    He contemplated his options. Dealing with the wound at home would certainly wake his mother. He looked toward the barn at the south edge of the Greene farm where Emily would be waiting in the loft.
    He opted to continue. He limped onward, his mind temporarily diverted from an adolescent fantasy image of Emily leaning back on a blanket of hay. Naked. And asking for him.
    Walking bent over, applying pressure to his knee with one hand, gave him an exaggerated limp. He paused and tied the shirt around his leg. Then, wiping the sweat from his forehead, he began again.
    At the back door of the barn, he turned off the flashlight and slipped through the sliding doors, which were parted just enough. His knee brushed the door. “Ow!”
    He knelt again, gripping his leg, his breath heavy.
    A tiny voice came from the loft. “Chris?”
    â€œI cut my leg on the fence.”
    â€œCome up.”
    â€œI’m bleeding.”
    He heard her sigh and the creak of the wooden ladder. A moment later, she knelt over him. She wore only a flannel shirt and a pair of very short shorts. “Let me see,” she said, placing her hands on his.
    He unwrapped the shirt and pointed the flashlight.
    â€œOooh. I think you need stitches.”
    â€œEmily, I can’t. My parents—”
    â€œYou may need a tetanus shot.”
    â€œI’m up to date. Can you just get some bandages? I’ll be okay.”
    â€œCome with me to the loft. We’ll bandage it later.”
    He eyed the ladder. “I’m not even sure I can climb that with one leg. When I bend my knee, it starts bleeding.”
    â€œI’ll bring down a blanket.”
    Christian sighed. His lustful anticipation had melted.
    She started for the ladder.
    â€œEmily, I’m not so sure.” He gripped his knee. “I need to cover this.”
    â€œYou can lie on your back. I’ll do the work.”
    Christian watched her climb the ladder. His thoughts were the Titanic . Sinking fast. How does she know so much?
    She came back a moment later with a blanket and a little candle in a simple black metal holder. “Turn that off,” she whispered, lighting the candle and setting it on the floor.
    Christian flipped off the flashlight.
    â€œCome here,” she coaxed. She spread out the blanket.
    He took a deep breath. The smell of musty hay and diesel fuel provided the ambience. “Maybe we should wait.”
    â€œLie down,” she said softly. “You scared?”
    â€œA little. This isn’t how I imagined it.”
    â€œThe time is right now.” She pouted. “We’ve talked all about this. I thought we agreed.”
    â€œWe did. It’s just—”
    She leaned