Read Online Sanctuary (New Reality Series, Book One) by Jessica Jarman - Free Book Online

slowly.
    “I don’t feel guilty about it,” she said. “I gave him a chance to walk away, but he was a sick bastard. I’d do it again. And I’m not telling you this because I want you to feel sorry for me. I wasn’t hurt.”
    Bullshit, Ethan thought. The son of a bitch might not have raped her, but he hurt her.
    “I’m trying to explain why I was so guarded when we first met. Why I’d lie to you.”
    “That’s why you relaxed a bit when you found out we were together.” Noah nodded.
    “Yeah, I thought since you were gay, you wouldn’t be interested in trying to take advantage of me like that. Of course I didn’t know then that you were just ‘mostly gay’,” she teased.
    “Okay, we get why you kept things from us. We can hardly blame you after what you’d been through,” Ethan said. “So if you don’t have anyone expecting you, what’s in Severton? Why there?”
    “I said that Dad’s emergency supply at home was just the beginning. Well, he had a hunting camp on about twenty acres along the river, five miles outside Severton. And he spent a lot of time stocking and preparing the place. There’s a cabin and bunkhouse. Outhouse, root cellar, shed. There’s enough food to last years, along with hunting and trapping equipment and supplies to start gardens to supplement that food.”
    “Sounds like you’ll be set for while,” Ethan mused.
    She nodded. “I was thinking, I know you are heading west to find your own place, but I have more than I need for just myself. You guys could stay for a while. Take a break from the constant moving, even for a couple of days.” When neither man responded, she continued, “I mean don’t feel like you have to. I just wanted to put the offer out there. If nothing else, you can take some supplies with you.”
    “Sweetheart, we aren’t going to drop you on your doorstep and run,” Ethan assured. “We’ll make sure you’re settled and safe. And,” he met Noah’s gaze above her head, “it’s not like we have anyone waiting for us either, so we aren’t in any hurry.”
    “Okay, good,” she said quickly. “Um, I need to a minute to, uh, take care of business. Be right back.”
    Ethan chuckled as she shrugged off her pack and dashed away to find some privacy.
    “I don’t like it,” Noah said grimly. “We thought she had people up this way, but she’s going to be alone, on her own, in some remote cabin.”
    “Noah—”
    “Don’t you dare tell me that sits okay with you,” he snapped.
    “We can’t take care of everybody,” Ethan pointed out.
    “I’m not talking about everybody. I’m talking about her .”
    Scrubbing his hands over his face, Ethan sighed. “I know.”

Chapter Four
     
     
    “Holy shit.”
    Grace covered her smile with her hand at Noah’s reaction as they arrived at her family’s camp. Both men stood, rooted to the spot, staring.
    “This is not what I expected,” Noah said. “I know you described it and everything, but… Holy shit,” he repeated.
    “Come on,” she said, patting him on the shoulder. “Let’s dump the packs inside then you can explore and snoop to your heart’s content.”
    “Wait here until we check around,” Ethan commanded.
    She lifted the rifle in her hands. “If there’s anyone here, between this and your gun, we’ll be fine. I can help do a sweep.”
    “Humor us,” Noah said tightly. Then softer, “Please, Grace.”
    With a sigh, she pulled the chain from around her neck. Dangling from it was a key. “Fine, this opens all the buildings.”
    Ethan accepted the chain and dropped a kiss on the tip of her nose. “Thank you, sweetheart.”
    She waited as they went building to building, slightly irritated, but also a bit touched they were worried enough to check things out before she went inside.
    “All clear,” Noah called from the small porch at the front of the cabin. She hurried across the large yard and up the wide steps to enter. The air that met her was hot and musty. Nose