Read Online Dark Realms by Kristen Middleton - Free Book Online Page A

these
parts,” I said, following her up the steps to the front door.
    “Apparently,” she answered, putting the key
into the lock. When we stepped inside, she flipped on the lights
and my breath caught in my throat.
    “Wow…” said Nathan. “This place is…
tight.”
    “It’s amazing,” she said, taking a step
back. “I’m just, speechless.”
    “Can we step inside of the doorway, people?”
I said, swatting at a mosquito. “Before the bugs enter before we
do?”
    “Oh, sorry,” she chuckled.
    We entered what had to be called the “great
room.” It was enormous and had a large soapstone fireplace with a
bearskin rug lying near it, which was kind of hokey to me but it
certainly added to the affect. Plush burgundy colored leather
furniture with hand-carved wooden end tables sat across from the
fireplace, and I imagined myself in the chair-and-a-half, reading a
book next to a crackling fire.
    “Wow, I just love those light fixtures,”
gushed mom, staring at the dozens of rustic chandeliers that made
the place glow with warmth. She walked over to a row of intricately
carved shelves and touched the amber colored wood. “And all of this
lovely hand-carved woodwork, the leather furniture, and… oh God,
what isn’t there to love about this place? Next time I see Ernie,
I’m going to plant a huge kiss on his little bald head.”
    “You should,” said Nathan. He raised his
voice a few octaves and put a hand on his hip. “And give him a big
sloppy one from me, too.”
    “Oh, so you’re finally warming up to us
being here?” she asked.
    He grinned. “Mom, seriously, if you’re
happy, then I’m happy.”
    She walked over to Nathan and threw her arms
around him. “I swear, I have the two best kids in the world.”
    “Love you, too, mom,” he answered, patting
her gently on the back. “And don’t worry, everything will work out.
Even… even with Deanna. Seriously.”
    “Good, I’m glad you feel that way,” she
replied, releasing him. “I just want everything to work out for you
and your sister.”
    “Don’t worry. I’m sure it will,” he
replied.
    “Guys, I’m going to check out the upstairs,”
I said, climbing the staircase, two steps at a time. I could barely
contain my excitement now that I knew we were actually staying at
such a glamorous place.
    “Pick out a bedroom!” she called as I made
it to the top of the stairs. “I don’t care which; I hear they’re
all pretty nice.”
    “Will do!” I hollered back.
    There were several bedrooms on the upper
level, all spacious and each having their own bathroom. I chose one
with a queen-sized pillow-top bed and a small balcony with an
awesome view of the lake.
    “So, what do you think?” asked my mom from
the doorway, a few minutes later.
    “Oh, my God, I love it!” I squealed. “I feel
like we’re on vacation somewhere. I wish we could stay here
forever.”
    “I know, it’s pretty breathtaking. I don’t
know about this one, but my bedroom has its own Jacuzzi and a
closet so big, I could park the car in it. I’m going to check out
yours.”
    While she did that, I walked over to the
balcony door and opened it, enjoying the cool air on my cheek. It
was dark outside, but the reflection of the moon on the water made
the lake seem so peaceful. I imagined myself lying on some kind of
canoe or boat, staring up at the moon with the waves rocking me to
sleep. “I just can’t believe this place. If we’re dreaming, I never
want to wake up.”
    She stepped next to me and linked her arm
through mine. “Don’t worry, it’s real.”
    My stomach began to growl and I patted it.
“I don’t know about you, but I’m starving.”
    “Yeah, I’m getting there myself. Let’s go
see if Nathan did what I asked and brought the groceries inside.
I’ll make us something to eat.”
    “Okay.”
    We went back downstairs and I helped mom put
the rest of the groceries away in the fridge, which actually looked
like the wooden cupboards surrounding