Read Online Deception Creek by Terry Persun - Free Book Online Page B

surprised at the number of people there. Back in his truck, he headed towards Wyoming, this time driving more slowly through the sharp turns of the mountain road.
    When rain began to fall soon after he entered the darkness of the forest, Billy was forced to roll up his window and turn the fan on to keep airflow inside the cab. Still, the humidity rose and he began to sweat. Then the rain fell harder, thunder roared and shook the truck, lightning struck all around him. He had to pull over.
    Every few miles along the road were pull-off points, typically used for scenic interludes. Billy found a pull-off and got over as far as he could. He left his lights on so that no one would try to pull into the same spot. Because the rain came at a hard angle, he was able to maneuver the truck where the passenger window got hit hard andthe driver’s side window could be opened slightly. He placed his face as close to the open part of the window as he could, feeling the cooler air, smelling its freshness. He closed his eyes and listened to the rain. He could easily sleep right there. Remembering his coffee, Billy grabbed it and took a long drink. It had cooled and tasted fine. He kicked his right foot up and onto the dash and slouched in the seat against the door. He took in a deep breath and nursed his coffee.
    He couldn’t wait to start a life of his own. He closed his eyes and day dreamed a future where he had a good job in Chicago or Atlanta. He’d return to Wyoming only to take walks through the woods or along Pine Creek during the summer. He stayed in those thoughts until the rain let up. Finishing his coffee, Billy sat up and drove toward town.
    When he reached the dirt road that led to Scott’s house, he turned onto it, even though the time was well past eleven. Billy decided that if Scott wasn’t awake, he’d find somewhere else to spend the night, even if he had to sleep in the truck.
    The lights were on at Scott’s. The house looked finished, but now there was an additional building, set back and to the right, that had been framed in. Piles of wood were stacked around it. The yard needed to be landscaped, too.
    Billy pulled up next to Scott’s truck wondering why it wasn’t inside the attached garage. Before he could get out of the truck, Scott opened the front door and motioned for Billy to come in.
    Trying not to get muddy, Billy tiptoed through a small patch of grass that led to the porch that ran along the front of the house. “The house looks great,” Billy said.
    â€œThanks. It’s not finished.” Scott shook Billy’s hand and drew him into a mud-room. “You can take your boots off in here.”
    Billy left them under a utility sink by a washer and dryer.
    Scott watched from the doorway. “I’ll show you around.”
    â€œWhat are you doing up, anyway? It’s late.”
    â€œReading.” Scott pointed to a book resting on the couch arm as he led Billy into the great room just off the foyer. “Here you go.” Scott opened his arms.
    The ceiling pitched up two stories, held by exposed beams. Track lights had been installed along every slope providing dynamicshadow and light combinations on the ceiling and diffused light below. As Billy looked around, he noticed one bright light on a beautiful painting of the forest that hung along the inside wall. Under the painting, a lit fireplace crackled and snapped causing the flames to dance, adding movement to the shadows in the room.
    â€œWow,” Billy said. “This place is awesome.” He glanced over his head where a loft area overlooked the great room.
    â€œCome on,” Scott said, as he walked down the hall to the kitchen in the back of the house. Out the windows over the sink, it was black until Scott turned on several floods. A back yard illuminated instantly. Scott leaned close to Billy and pointed a few things out. “In the corner over there are roses. They get morning sun.