Read Online Into the Fire by Ashelyn Drake - Free Book Online Page A

thing?”
    She turns for the shore. “See you around.”
    I watch her swim away and get in her car. She pauses, looking back at me. I know she’s into me, but something’s holding her back. Something I’m determined to get past.
     
    ***
     
    I arrive at Monique’s right on time, all showered and still thinking about Cara. I can smell Monique’s cooking wafting through the windows. What will today’s featured omelet be? I can make out pepper jack among all the other things. This place has such a strong food smell. Monique must use a ton of spices. My stomach rumbles, and before I know it, I’m sitting down and turning my coffee mug over for Monique to fill.
    “Good morning, Logan.” Monique smiles as she comes out of the kitchen with a fresh pot of coffee. “What will it be today?”
    I look around for a menu, but there doesn’t appear to be one. Does she really cook to order, or do people just go with her dish of the day? “I smell pepper jack cheese.”
    “Ah, that’s my pepper jack and mushroom omelet. Give me five minutes.” She disappears, leaving me to sit alone. I look for Henry, surprised he’s not here already.
    Monique returns with two omelets and sits down at the table. Apparently we’re going to be having breakfast together. Awkward.
    “No Henry this morning?”
    “He’s fishing. I opened early just for him. If he doesn’t have his eggs in the morning, he’s not a happy man.”
    “That’s weird. He told me he’d meet me here.”
    “His memory isn’t what it used to be. Don’t hold it against him.”
    I take a big bite of omelet. It’s even better than the Western, but I don’t dare say that. Monique strikes me as the type who wants every dish she serves to be equally delicious. “This is amazing.”
    She takes a bite and nods back in agreement. “What are your plans for today?”
    “No idea, really.” Not that there’s anything to do in this town anyway.
    “Must be tough being new in town with everyone else in school. This is the last week, though, so you should see some kids your age soon.”
    “I met one already.”
    “Cara, right?”
    “How’d you know?” I blow on my coffee before taking a sip.
    “Cara’s like family to me. She and I were talking all about you.”
    Cara was talking about me? That’s a good sign. “She’s kind of shy.”
    Monique puts her fork down and places her hand on top of mine. “Now listen here, Logan. Cara is one of the sweetest girls you’ll ever meet. She’s not like some of those teenage girls running all over town with a different guy every day.”
    “Does everyone around here think I’m out to get her? Her best friend—um, Rachel—cornered me yesterday and gave me ‘the talk.’ I swear, I’ve been nothing but nice to Cara.”
    “Good. Because if there’s one thing you should know about small towns, Mr. Logan Schmidt from New York, it’s that we’re like one big family. Cara’s family. Do you understand what I’m saying?”
    Wasn’t it just yesterday that she was welcoming me to the family? “I get it, and I really do think Cara’s… ” Shit, none of the words I want to use are going make Monique happy. Sexy. Mysterious. Hot. “She’s nice.” That works.
    “Yes, she is.” Monique smiles and tugs on my sleeve. “And I think underneath that leather jacket of yours, you’re nice too.”
    From the way she’s looking at me, I know Cara told her about my jacket. Nothing’s a secret in this place. I finish my omelet, pay my bill, and before I can stop myself, I’m walking to the school.
    I’ve never acted stalkerish like this before, but something about Cara is really bugging me. Maybe it’s the way I’m drawn to her. I’m not used to this. I look down at my hand. It’s completely normal with no signs of a burn. I must have imagined it. Anton’s right; this clean air is messing with my head.
    I see Cara’s car in the student lot, and I freeze. What am I doing here? She’s in school. I can’t wait around