Read Online Dare to Love (Young Adult Romance) by Rosemarie Naramore - Free Book Online

embarrassed. 
    “There you go again,” Dare teased,
“is that you or the sunburn?” 
    When I didn’t respond, he grabbed my
hand.  “Let’s get back out there,” he said.
    Together, we walked to the conference
room.  Discreetly, I studied him.  He was so handsome, my heart skipped a beat
every time I looked at his face.  I had to keep reminding myself that he was
probably unavailable.  Too, I forced myself to remember the evening before.
    When he had asked me if the accident
scene I’d seen had prompted me to think about my own driving, he really had
hurt my feelings.  It wasn’t as if I drove too fast on purpose—but on the other
hand, I guess I didn’t consciously not speed either.  Since I
didn’t consciously make an effort to watch my speedometer, was I as reckless as
the boy who had driven drunk, without a seatbelt, and with his little brother
in the car?
    I was glad when we stepped into the
conference room.  My thoughts had taken a disturbing turn, and I was grateful
for the distraction. 
    Lieutenant Hudson watched us
speculatively as we walked in.  “No luck?” he asked.
    Dare shook his head.  “Nope.  Poor
Laura was just too big for the last remaining uniform.”
    I jerked my head around and stared at
Dare.  I could feel my face reddening again.  “Thanks a lot,” I muttered under
my breath.
    “Just kidding,” he told the lieutenant.
 “Laura was swimming in the thing.”
    Nodding, the lieutenant said, “Well,
we’ll just have to order one for you, Laura.  Okay, then, let’s get started.”
    I headed back to my seat beside
Jennifer, and was surprised when Dare followed me.  He sat down beside me and I
watched him out of the corner of my eye. 
    He turned and caught me watching
him.  As usual!  He smiled and I found myself smiling back at him.  
    “Okay, gang,” Lieutenant Hudson said,
“I know that last week I told you that we’d be discussing the final event of
L.E.C., the target shoot, but we’ve had a change of plans.”
    Jennifer and I exchanged confused
glanced. “L.E.C.?” we repeated simultaneously.
    Dare noticed our confusion.  “Law
Enforcement Challenge,” he informed.  I shook my head, still unsure what he was
talking about.  “It’s kind of like the Explorers’ Olympics.  I’ll tell you
about it later.”
    I nodded and turned my attention back
to the lieutenant.  “Instead,” he continued, “I think we’ll take the first
half-hour of our meeting to discuss an idea that one of you had as to what we
might do for our community project this year.”
    “Some of you who are new may not know
about our community project, so first, I’ll give you all a brief background.” 
The lieutenant clasped his hands together.  “Each year, the various explorer clubs
take part in a project of their choosing.  It can be anything, provided it
benefits the community.  For example, Dare tells me that last year, his club
sponsored a toy drive for needy kids at Christmas time.  Kids, who might not
otherwise have received any gifts, found toys under their trees Christmas
morning.  Dare said it was an extremely gratifying experience.
    Our newest Explorer, Laura Tyler, has
come up with an idea that I think is a good one.  Laura, why don’t you tell
everyone what you have in mind for our community project this year?”
    Me ? 
    I stared, open-mouthed, at Lieutenant
Hudson.  I glanced at Jennifer, then back to him.  I gulped, then found my
voice.  “Well, uh, it...uh, wasn’t really my idea.  It was more Dare’s idea but
anyway...”
    “Go on, Laura,” Lieutenant Hudson
urged.
    “Um, we were, well, talking about the
D.A.R.E. program.  I asked Dare if the Explorers are involved with the program
and he said he wasn’t sure, and well, we started talking and...”  I glanced at
Dare and he nodded encouragingly.  “And we thought it might be kind of cool to
go around to elementary schools and talk to little kids about the dangers