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

wrinkled, she rested her rifle against the wall and set her heavy pack beside it then walked through the cabin, opening windows to let fresh air in.
    That done, Grace smiled and looked around. The main floor of the building was mostly open. To the left of the door was a living area with two sofas and two chairs placed around the stone fireplace set in the wall. The entrance itself opened up to a kitchen dining area. A large, farmhouse table and chairs sat in the middle. Cupboards lined the wall to their right.
    “There’s a well,” she informed, walking to the shallow basin and resting her hand on the bright red pump beside it. “We’ll need to prime it, but it’ll mean no more running to the river every time we need water.”
    “This space here,” she continued, “was the original structure. Dad added the loft later, and they built on the lower bedroom and pantry in the back about three years ago.”
    “This is an amazing place,” Noah said with a shake of his head. “Definitely not what I imagined.”
    “There’s the wood cook stove and a propane cook-top.” She walked over to the stove and ran her fingers over the heavy metal. “We did most of our cooking here when we came. I even managed to learn how to bake in this thing. The propane was something Dad kept around for things that needed more controlled temperatures. Like canning in the pressure cooker and stuff.”
    Looking at the men, she noticed their grins and sighed. “I’m just rambling. Go on, check it all out. The hunting and trapping stuff is in the back room of the bunkhouse.” He bent down and kissed her. “Be back soon.”
    She laughed. “I’ll get a fire started and find us something for dinner.”
    “Thank you, Gracie,” Noah crooned, pressing his lips to hers.
    She swatted his ass as he turned and followed Ethan out the door. Letting out a deep sigh, she leaned against the stove a moment and just let the reality sink in. She’d made it. The journey was over. Deciding that was enough, and responding to her rumbling stomach, she straightened and headed to the pantry. When she pushed the door open, she was taken aback. The room hadn’t been anywhere near this full the last time she was there. Shelves lined all four walls and were filled to overflowing. Sealed containers of flours, sugars, grains. Canned goods. It would take her days to figure out what all she had.
    Starting with a shelf of glass canning jars, she began to plan what to eat for dinner. Her breath hitched in her throat when she read the first label. Lifting a hand she traced her finger over the neat handwriting. Her mother’s handwriting.
    Pain, hurt that she had successfully dammed up, burst within her at the sight. Her mom was gone. She’d never see her face again or hear her laugh or get after her dad for leaving his empty glass sitting in the living room.
    Her vision dimmed around the edges and her legs wobbled. She stumbled to the door and grasped the frame, struggling to draw in a breath into her tight chest. A sob caught in her throat, threatened to choke her. She held on to the wall as she let herself slid to the floor. Drawing her knees to her chest, she wrapped her arms around her legs and dropped her head forward.
    God, she was so alone.
    Noah and Ethan walked toward the cabin. They’d spent some time going through the outer buildings and Noah had to admit he was impressed. Grace’s father had done a hell of a job setting this place up.
    “I think I’ll head out later, set some traps,” Ethan said. “Some rabbit would be a nice change from fish.”
    “No kidding.”
    His laughter quickly faded when they entered the cabin and the sound of crying reached his ears. His gaze immediately found Grace, on the floor in the doorway at the back of the building. He ran the short distance, Ethan right with him.
    He dropped to his knees and started running his hands over her, checking for injuries. “Gracie, are you hurt? What happened?”
    She just shook her head,