Read Online Eternity by Heather Terrell - Free Book Online

Honda. He was trying to fix a flat tire.
    The night was cold and dark, and most kids would have walked right past the guy, especially if they didn’t know him. At best, they might have stopped and asked if he needed help, praying that the guy declined the offer, of course. Not Rafe.
    Without a single word, without a single question to the guy, Rafe handed me his backpack, took off his jacket, and rolled up his sleeves. He knelt next to the kid and asked, “What can I do?”
    I watched as the two guys wordlessly replaced the punctured tire with a spare. Rafe looked even broader and stronger with his shirtsleeves rolled up; and as he worked, I couldn’t help but notice how muscular his forearms were and how expertly he held a wrench. When they finished the job, I stared as they shook hands and said good-bye as if they’d known each other for years.
    Rafe’s instantaneous act of generosity moved me. Was it because I’d been thrown back into the completely opposite, self-centered world of Tillinghast High School? Was it because great acts of goodness and sacrifice were soon to be expected of me? Whatever the reason, I found Rafe’s natural bigheartedness stirring.
    Not to mention he looked amazing with his sleeves rolled up, working with his hands.
    As we resumed our walk toward my car, Rafe reached out for his backpack and jacket, which I was still holding for him. He glanced at me, and asked, “You okay, Ellie? You look kind of, well, funny.”
    I was embarrassed at the plainness of my reaction. It was a simple tire change. The scene shouldn’t have moved me so much. Nor should it have elicited an attraction to him. I had a boyfriend, after all. One that I hadn’t mentioned yet, it occurred to me. For the first time, I realized how peculiar—and telling—that omission was.
    I tossed my hair back over my shoulders and laughed as if his comment was preposterous. “Why wouldn’t I be okay?”
    Rafe slid on his jacket and backpack, and then smiled that mischievous smile. “Great. So we’ll meet in Tillinghast tomorrow night?”

Chapter Thirteen
     
    Rafe won the battle over our approach. Pretty easily. The next evening, we met in downtown Tillinghast at the first establishment on our list. I wanted to mention how touched I’d been by his actions the previous night helping out with the stranger’s flat tire, but Rafe was all business. He didn’t leave any room to discuss anything except our game plan.
    We stood underneath the striped green awning of the town grocery, Smitty’s. It was the oldest market in Tillinghast, one with a reputation for charity in the community. We figured we had a pretty good shot at getting a donation from Smitty’s.
    “What is that we’d like to get them to give us?” Rafe asked.
    I checked my list. “A couple cases of soda, or a case of chips. Or both.”
    “I say we go for both. Are you game?”
    “Definitely. Any tips on what to say?”
    Rafe stepped in front of me and pulled open the door. “Let me do the talking. I think I’ll do better than you.”
    Before I had the chance to get insulted, Rafe entered the store and asked the clerk to see the store manager. A tiny, wizened old man stepped out from the back room. A ratty, oatmeal-colored cardigan hung off his spare frame, and he pulled it tight around him in the cool air of the store.
    “I’m Smitty, the store owner. Can I help you?” I was surprised that there was a real Smitty. The poor man looked ready for bed and surprised that anyone would ask to see him personally. I felt bad asking him for anything.
    Rafe didn’t skip a beat. He squared his very broad shoulders and stretched out his hand in greeting. “Sir, we are students from two local high schools bordering Tillinghast. I’m sure you’ve heard on the recent news reports about the earthquakes devastating our world—”
    For the next five minutes, Rafe spun a captivating tale about the havoc the earthquakes had wreaked. Somehow, he managed to make the