Read Online By Summer's End (Christian Fiction) by Rosemarie Naramore - Free Book Online Page A

“Let’s get ‘er loaded, son.”
    The men easily hefted the desk into the
back of Ryan’s truck.  He slammed the tailgate closed with a bang.  “Thanks,
Levi.”
    “You’re sure welcome.”  He slapped Ryan
on the back.  “When ya get home, son?  Wife tells me you’ve been away for
months.”  He abruptly sighed.  “I understand you made it back for Ben’s
passing, but headed out again soon after.”
    He nodded.  It was true.  He’d made it
to Ben’s bedside in the nick of time, but had left again a couple days later,
after spreading Ben’s ashes on the McGraw family property.  “Arrived yesterday,”
he answered.  “And Millie’s right.  I was gone for awhile.”
    Levi pinned him with a look.  “Find what
ya were lookin’ for?” he asked.  “There’s no place like home, ya know.”
    Ryan laughed, but ran a hand through his
hair.  Holly watched him curiously.  She sensed a sudden tension in the air. 
“Yeah, well, you’re right about that, Levi,” he said finally. 
    “Well, good then,” the older man said,
nodding with satisfaction.  “I know your dad would be glad to hear you say
that.”  He turned to the women.  “Good to meet you, ladies.  Enjoy that desk.”
    The group watched after Levi as he
walked toward his home, and then Ryan addressed Holly.  “Shall I follow you…?”
    “Oh, yes.”  She smiled.  “Brianna and I
live just up the road a ways.  We’ll get turned around and lead the way.”
    Ryan arched his brows.  “Are you new to
the area?”
    “We’ve been here about six weeks,” Brianna
told him.  “We’re from out-of-state.”
    “Well, what do you think about
Washington State?” he inquired.
    “I love it!” Brianna said.  “Of course,
I’d love it more if I had a horse…”
    “Brianna,” Holly chided with a laugh,
and then directed to Ryan, “She’s nothing if not determined—determined to get a
horse, that is.”
    “Determination is good,” Ryan said,
chuckling.  “Well, I hope you get that horse soon.”  He strode to his truck and
climbed in.  “I’ll pull out and turn around after you,” he called through the
open window.
    The women hurried to Holly’s small car
and climbed in.  Holly started the car and carefully did a u-turn in the road. 
She sped off, mindful of a bend in the road behind her that could easily
obscure an oncoming vehicle.
    Once safely moving in the right
direction, she glanced back to assure Ryan had safely made the u-turn, as
well.  He had and had come up behind them. 
    “Wow, he’s cute,” Brianna said with a
smile.  “And obviously very chivalrous.”
    “Chivalrous, huh?” Holly said. 
    “You should go out with him,” Brianna
declared.
    Holly gasped.  “Brianna, we’ve just met
the man.  He could be an axe murderer, for all we know.”
    “And we’re leading him to our house. 
That oughta make it easier for him to hack off our heads.”
    “Brianna!”
    The teenager laughed.  “I got the distinct
impression that Levi thinks pretty highly of him, although he seemed a bit
disappointed in him for being out of town for awhile.  I wonder why Ryan went
out of town.”
    Holly had to give it to her sister.  She
was obviously astute.  She’d also sensed a tension between the two men, but had
also discerned that Levi was fond of Ryan.  She’d also sensed Ryan seemed a bit
uncomfortable when Levi had mentioned his extended absence.  She gave a sudden
shake of her head.  Why was she pondering a situation of which she knew nothing
involving a man of whom she knew nothing?
    “Well?” Brianna prompted, drawing her
out of her reverie.
    “Well, what?”
    “Would you go out with him?”  Before Holly
could answer, Brianna spoke, “I would.”  She gave a dreamy sigh.  “He’s
gorgeous.  Not too tall, not too short, dark hair, great nose, kissable lips…”
    “Brianna!”
    “What?”
    “I’ve just made a decision,” Holly said
with chagrin.
    “You’re going out with