Read Online Into the Flames (Perilous Connections: Book Two) by Delka Beazer - Free Book Online Page B
Authors: Delka Beazer
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when he’d found her hanging out with some friends she ’d met at another local resort.
I become terrified all over again a s I recall how clo se I had come to Stacy’s fate.
We hit a bump in the paved road as we turn off into a grassy driveway at the side of the hill we’ve been climbing for thirty plus minutes. We go on for a few more minutes and then pull to a halt. My mouth gapes in astonishment at the piece of homely perfection that sits in front of us.
Wooden shingles aged almost black make up the entirety of the single stor y home. A porch runs the entire front of t he house and it sports a single broad hammock that dangles negligentl y in the breeze.
My guess is that the porch goes all the way to the back. I see the same thought in Aubrey’s face and we smile at each oth er and grinning we race to the back to see if we’re correct.
The porch does go aro und the entire house and I come to a stop and gaze o ut in wonder at the view beyond. T he jewel colored sea winks back at me, now showing streaks of gold and blue. I take a few steps closer to the edge of the cliff on which the house sits.
“D aphne, be careful,” Aubrey’s shout brings me up short. I blink and turn around to fi nd him right behind me, his hand fisted in the tail of my t-shirt , tugging me back.
I grin and playful l y ch uck his head. “Don’t worry . I have no intention to go flying anytime soon.” I peer down and directly in front of me the ground descend s viciously into a deep ravine held together by tall, thick, emerald colored trees .
Off to the other side I hear rushing water and there is a steep pathway which winds its way through thigh high grass that is rustling in the breeze, their musky sweet odor scenting the air. I close my eyes and inhale one of the long forgotten scents of my childhood. Sweet grass and the scent of rich earth.
Nate had specifically requested this property from among the half dozen the landlord Elaine’ s uncle had introduced us to .
I shift and anot her surge of air hits me. I savor the a roma of sea salt and the bitter sweet frag rance of trees and flowers. It takes me a few moments to shake myself awake from the beckonin g peace which this wilderness harbors .
I reach for Aubrey’s hand, which feels so small and defense less in mine that it forces me to look at his grea t brown eyes and innocent smile. I return it with an effort that costs me a great deal. I am failing my father, the promise I made to him to take care of his youngest child.
My failure rings like a litany in my head over and over again, but its effect is nowhere near as jarring as the images of Nate and me in my bedroom, or in the bathroom on the ferry. I swallow down the gurgle of distress that wrestles to free itself from my lips.
Every moment that I am with Nate I’m breaking my word to my father but I don’ t know what to do because as much as I hate to admit it, a part of me knows that Nate’s telling the truth to some degree. We are in danger and tho ugh it’s because of him that does not nullify the threat of Emmanuel one bit.
Holding tightly to Aubrey’s hand, we go back to front of the house.
Ela i ne is standing on the porch, our backpack s at her feet, she watches us approach. “N ate and Stacy have gone back in t o town to get some groceries and other stuff. ”
The news blindsides me. We stare at each oth er and I see a trace of triumph in he r eyes before pity takes over. Elaine cocks her head. “I thin k it’ll work out , you know.”
Against my will my gaze fixes itself on the road they’d just left vainly hoping for a retreating glimpse of them through the winding path of the trees , but her cond escension whips my head around.
F ury overtake s the growing emptiness inside me, and I can literally feel it contorting my face into ugly lines . “I don’t give a damn what you think.” But it’s a lie and we both know it. Long, angry strides take me to the porch. I grab my bag from beside her
I become terrified all over again a s I recall how clo se I had come to Stacy’s fate.
We hit a bump in the paved road as we turn off into a grassy driveway at the side of the hill we’ve been climbing for thirty plus minutes. We go on for a few more minutes and then pull to a halt. My mouth gapes in astonishment at the piece of homely perfection that sits in front of us.
Wooden shingles aged almost black make up the entirety of the single stor y home. A porch runs the entire front of t he house and it sports a single broad hammock that dangles negligentl y in the breeze.
My guess is that the porch goes all the way to the back. I see the same thought in Aubrey’s face and we smile at each oth er and grinning we race to the back to see if we’re correct.
The porch does go aro und the entire house and I come to a stop and gaze o ut in wonder at the view beyond. T he jewel colored sea winks back at me, now showing streaks of gold and blue. I take a few steps closer to the edge of the cliff on which the house sits.
“D aphne, be careful,” Aubrey’s shout brings me up short. I blink and turn around to fi nd him right behind me, his hand fisted in the tail of my t-shirt , tugging me back.
I grin and playful l y ch uck his head. “Don’t worry . I have no intention to go flying anytime soon.” I peer down and directly in front of me the ground descend s viciously into a deep ravine held together by tall, thick, emerald colored trees .
Off to the other side I hear rushing water and there is a steep pathway which winds its way through thigh high grass that is rustling in the breeze, their musky sweet odor scenting the air. I close my eyes and inhale one of the long forgotten scents of my childhood. Sweet grass and the scent of rich earth.
Nate had specifically requested this property from among the half dozen the landlord Elaine’ s uncle had introduced us to .
I shift and anot her surge of air hits me. I savor the a roma of sea salt and the bitter sweet frag rance of trees and flowers. It takes me a few moments to shake myself awake from the beckonin g peace which this wilderness harbors .
I reach for Aubrey’s hand, which feels so small and defense less in mine that it forces me to look at his grea t brown eyes and innocent smile. I return it with an effort that costs me a great deal. I am failing my father, the promise I made to him to take care of his youngest child.
My failure rings like a litany in my head over and over again, but its effect is nowhere near as jarring as the images of Nate and me in my bedroom, or in the bathroom on the ferry. I swallow down the gurgle of distress that wrestles to free itself from my lips.
Every moment that I am with Nate I’m breaking my word to my father but I don’ t know what to do because as much as I hate to admit it, a part of me knows that Nate’s telling the truth to some degree. We are in danger and tho ugh it’s because of him that does not nullify the threat of Emmanuel one bit.
Holding tightly to Aubrey’s hand, we go back to front of the house.
Ela i ne is standing on the porch, our backpack s at her feet, she watches us approach. “N ate and Stacy have gone back in t o town to get some groceries and other stuff. ”
The news blindsides me. We stare at each oth er and I see a trace of triumph in he r eyes before pity takes over. Elaine cocks her head. “I thin k it’ll work out , you know.”
Against my will my gaze fixes itself on the road they’d just left vainly hoping for a retreating glimpse of them through the winding path of the trees , but her cond escension whips my head around.
F ury overtake s the growing emptiness inside me, and I can literally feel it contorting my face into ugly lines . “I don’t give a damn what you think.” But it’s a lie and we both know it. Long, angry strides take me to the porch. I grab my bag from beside her
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