Read Online Luca's Dilemma by Deneice Tarbox - Free Book Online Page A
Authors: Deneice Tarbox
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arms and feeling the rumble of his deep voice had given Sheila a rush, the effects of which she barely managed to conceal through her protests. For the first time in her life, she’d felt safe and cherished, despite what he’d been threatening to do to her.
After a while, Sheila’d come to realize Luca was not only highly intelligent, but a Class– A jokester. He’d figured out that it was actually insomnia brought on by the demands of his stressful life and not narcolepsy that made him feel excessively sleepy at certain periods during the day. He joked about how lucky he was the horses hadn’t taken advantage of his condition by tricking him into feeding them twice. Sheila had rolled with laughter when he started mimicking what the horses would sound like as they wickedly plotted against him. She’d laughed so much her shirtsleeve had become drenched from wiping the coursing tears from her face, and her cheeks had ached for two days.
At his persistent persuasion, she had shown off some of her sketches. Luca had displayed genuine interest in her art work and even asked if he could purchase a few pieces. It wasn't until it began to grow dark that she realized they had been conversing comfortably for nearly four hours. That was another first for Sheila. No man, besides her brother and father, had ever given her that much attention before, let alone a man so good looking. Although she’d come to adore him, and they were fast becoming friends, she honestly didn't see their relationship progressing any further than that. Her parents would never condone her pairing up with a simple graphic designer who played with horses for a hobby.
***
After a bitter debate, Sheila, Tina, and Richard made their way to the sheep barn figuring the wooly animals were a bit smaller than the hogs, even though Sheila persisted she liked pork much better than lamb. For all intents and purposes, she was ready to greet the little creatures with open arms as it brought her that much closer to her shopping spree. Richard held the barn door open, and she entered, laughing about something Tina had just said and feeling completely at ease by now.
Walking nonchalantly over to the nearest sheep pen, Sheila began affectionately rubbing the head of one of the curious animals. Its curly fur was surprisingly soft in her hands, and she began to feel a slight connection to the sprightly guy. A smile crossed her lips when the animal kept bucking his wooly head against her hand whenever she tried to pull it away or stilled her motions. The three of them turned from the first pen, still laughing at the antics of the sheep.
However, the sight in front of her caused Sheila’s merriment to halt dead in its tracks. Right there before her eyes, in Fryeburg Maine, was the epitome of every black southerner's fear… a Klansman. Not wanting to believe what she was seeing, she slowly rolled her eyes to the left then cautiously followed them with the turn of her head, trying her best not to make any sudden moves. To her horror, he wasn’t alone. In fact, there was a herd of them. She stood frozen in place as their beady little eyes focused intently on her through the openings of their white sheet–clad faces. Their “baahing” increased as the intensity of their unified glare started to burrow immense fear into her.
Suddenly, they were all moving in her direction with a purpose. Fuck, was her last discernible thought before the shroud of an all–out panic attack seized her. Was this some type of warning? Was it a sign of things to come? All Sheila knew was that she best get out of that barn and away from this small town as fast as her long legs could carry her. But her big–ass feet refused to obey.
“Are you all right?” Tina asked in a faraway voice.
Sheila tried to swivel her head in her friend's direction, but couldn't. Sheer terror stifled all her movements, paralyzing her in place. Trails of sweat began to pour down her forehead and into her eyes,
After a while, Sheila’d come to realize Luca was not only highly intelligent, but a Class– A jokester. He’d figured out that it was actually insomnia brought on by the demands of his stressful life and not narcolepsy that made him feel excessively sleepy at certain periods during the day. He joked about how lucky he was the horses hadn’t taken advantage of his condition by tricking him into feeding them twice. Sheila had rolled with laughter when he started mimicking what the horses would sound like as they wickedly plotted against him. She’d laughed so much her shirtsleeve had become drenched from wiping the coursing tears from her face, and her cheeks had ached for two days.
At his persistent persuasion, she had shown off some of her sketches. Luca had displayed genuine interest in her art work and even asked if he could purchase a few pieces. It wasn't until it began to grow dark that she realized they had been conversing comfortably for nearly four hours. That was another first for Sheila. No man, besides her brother and father, had ever given her that much attention before, let alone a man so good looking. Although she’d come to adore him, and they were fast becoming friends, she honestly didn't see their relationship progressing any further than that. Her parents would never condone her pairing up with a simple graphic designer who played with horses for a hobby.
***
After a bitter debate, Sheila, Tina, and Richard made their way to the sheep barn figuring the wooly animals were a bit smaller than the hogs, even though Sheila persisted she liked pork much better than lamb. For all intents and purposes, she was ready to greet the little creatures with open arms as it brought her that much closer to her shopping spree. Richard held the barn door open, and she entered, laughing about something Tina had just said and feeling completely at ease by now.
Walking nonchalantly over to the nearest sheep pen, Sheila began affectionately rubbing the head of one of the curious animals. Its curly fur was surprisingly soft in her hands, and she began to feel a slight connection to the sprightly guy. A smile crossed her lips when the animal kept bucking his wooly head against her hand whenever she tried to pull it away or stilled her motions. The three of them turned from the first pen, still laughing at the antics of the sheep.
However, the sight in front of her caused Sheila’s merriment to halt dead in its tracks. Right there before her eyes, in Fryeburg Maine, was the epitome of every black southerner's fear… a Klansman. Not wanting to believe what she was seeing, she slowly rolled her eyes to the left then cautiously followed them with the turn of her head, trying her best not to make any sudden moves. To her horror, he wasn’t alone. In fact, there was a herd of them. She stood frozen in place as their beady little eyes focused intently on her through the openings of their white sheet–clad faces. Their “baahing” increased as the intensity of their unified glare started to burrow immense fear into her.
Suddenly, they were all moving in her direction with a purpose. Fuck, was her last discernible thought before the shroud of an all–out panic attack seized her. Was this some type of warning? Was it a sign of things to come? All Sheila knew was that she best get out of that barn and away from this small town as fast as her long legs could carry her. But her big–ass feet refused to obey.
“Are you all right?” Tina asked in a faraway voice.
Sheila tried to swivel her head in her friend's direction, but couldn't. Sheer terror stifled all her movements, paralyzing her in place. Trails of sweat began to pour down her forehead and into her eyes,
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