Read Online LETHAL OBSESSION by Carey Regenold - Free Book Online Page B

She wondered how it would feel to be kissed by Gene.  Then her guilt
would censor any further musings.
          Perhaps
someday she would welcome a man's warmth and closeness but not yet.  Mark's
presence in her heart was still all consuming.  She could only hope Gene would
have patience with her.  If it was meant to be, he would wait.
         
          On
this particular morning Gene showed up with a backpack. "You brought
breakfast?"  Ellen eyed the pack.
          He
held it up.  "This is lunch.  I thought you might enjoy seeing some local
trails around here that have really spectacular views. Are you up for a hike,
Princess?"
          Ellen
stared at him.  She would enjoy going for a hike, but being alone with Gene in the
forest didn't sound like a good idea.  When he came over Juanita was always
present.  That night at the crash site and afterwards was the only time it was
just the two of them. Trying to explain that to Gene would be mortally
embarrassing.  Might as well say outright she doesn't trust him.  Or maybe it's
herself she doesn't trust.  Why did life have to be so complicated?
          "Sounds
like fun.  I'll get my camera." 
         
          They
left the highway and drove up into the hills for a long time. Ellen assumed
Gene knew where he was going but where ever it was, they were extremely high
up.  He followed narrow, gravel roads higher and higher until they became
little more than rocky paths.  Ellen took careful note of where they were going
so she could find this trail again on her own.  She had better trust him at
this point because they were certainly isolated now. 
          When
Gene finally pulled his truck over and stopped, Ellen looked around. They were
so high that misty clouds surrounded them. Ellen got out and inhaled the pungent
fall air.  The frosty nip at this altitude had her reaching for her
windbreaker.  There was a rare tranquility up here.  Except for the guilt of
being with Gene, her mind was slowly relaxing.  The fall trees created a
wonderland of red, yellow, and bronze. They were perched on a mountain peak,
one of the highest in the National Park. 
          "Gosh
Gene, you did say a hike and not a road trip right?"
          He
laughed.  "I should've warned you the hike I had in mind is a bit out of
the way."
          "It’s
so beautiful here.  Where did you find this spot?”
          “This
is my secret place.  I always come here when I want to get away from things and
be alone.  I feel powerful up here like I'm standing on top of the world.”
          “Yes,
I can see how you would feel that way.” 
          She
looked around at the panorama of purple green mountain peaks.  They were so
high the wind whipped at her hair and clothes.  The surrounding mountain peaks
looked like thousands of miniature, cloud kissed castles. 
          "I
didn’t have a place like this to run away to when I was young.  Living in Mississippi
was totally flat, but I did have a nice, muddy river to sit next to.  You were
lucky to grow up here.”
          “I
know. Walk with me.  I'd like to show you something."
          "Up
here?"
          "Sure,
it's right through the trees over here."     
          They
hiked the few steps to the crest of the bluff as a chilly wind whipped at her
hair.  Then Ellen saw it. There, nestled among the tall pines sat a quaint log
cabin.
          "Does
somebody live here?"
          "Yeah,
I do when I feel like getting away from everything."
          "This
property is yours?"
          "It
is and I wanted you to see it because it's so special to me."
          Ellen
felt touched.  "How long have you had this land?"
          "I
inherited it.  My great grand pappy built this cabin for his new bride around
the turn of the century. My grandfather was born here right in this cabin. I'm
lucky it stayed in the family."
          "Is
this where the moonshine