Read Online Saving Rain: The First Novel in The Rain Trilogy by Karen-Anne Stewart - Free Book Online
Authors: Karen-Anne Stewart
Ads: Link
muddy from trying to catch that darn dog.”
Kas’ head leans back as he laughs at the memory. “The puppy was better than any quarterback I’ve been up against as he dodged and ran through our legs, and then went straight into the door that one of us must’ve left wide open. Our parents were mortified, my grandmother was in hysterics, and my grandfather was laughing so hard he was doubled over as the puppy ran through the house and jumped on the couch with those muddy paws. My grandfather thought all of the commotion was hilarious until the puppy jumped off the couch, overshot the turn, and ran straight into the TV stand, knocking it onto the floor, causing pieces to fly everywhere. The darn dog must’ve known that ‘all you know what’ was getting ready to break loose, because he sat down and looked up at everyone with those large, innocent puppy dog eyes.”
Kas’ hearty laughter echoes through the spring night air, sending sweet chills up Raina’s arms. “I thought my grandfather was going to tan all of our hides, but he took mercy on us and just took us outside and hosed us down instead. After we were mud free, he sent us back inside where we spent the next few hours cleaning up the muddy disaster. Pops came out better in the end anyway after our parents went in together and bought them a new large screen TV. We spent the next two weeks doing extra chores to repay them. That was one of the best summers I’ve had.”
Raina watches how happy Kas looks recalling his favorite childhood memories, and instead of jealousy for something she never had, warm comforting feelings run through her, knowing that he has those memories to cherish.
Once all the pizza is gone, Kas refuses to let Raina help him pack up the table and chairs, sending her off to enjoy the view instead. He plays with the radio until he finds a station he likes. He leans against the trunk of a cherry tree with his legs out in front of him, one foot resting casually over the other, and his thumbs tucked into the edge of the pockets of his well worn jeans. He watches Raina run her hand tenderly down one of the blooming branches of the cherry tree. His heart does funny things when he sees a smile spread across her luscious lips as she inhales the sweet cherry aroma. He is taken aback by the intensity of his desire to take her in his arms and press her soft, feminine body against his firm, masculine frame. He wants nothing more right now than to get lost in the scent of her as he holds her in his arms, slow dancing under the moonlit blossoms of the cherry trees.
As if Kas’ thoughts beckon her, she slowly turns around. When their eyes connect, the truth hits Raina like a bolt of lightning. She realizes that she has fallen in love with him, helplessly and unequivocally in love.
That night, under the pale light of the moon, the full impact of the harsh meaning behind the saying ‘truth hurts’ slams into Raina just as viciously as a sucker punch. For the first time in so many years, she has to fight back tears that threaten to spill from her eyes. Every fiber of her being wants Kas, needs him. Her heart, her body, and her soul cry out for his love. The thought of him not loving her back hurts worse than the sharpest sting from her father’s belt ever could. Looking at him looking at her, she does what she does best and forces her emotions deep inside, plastering a smile on her face as she walks lovesick and deflated to the jeep.
Witnessing the earlier carefree attitude dissipate from her lovely face, Kas tenses as his heart restricts when her usual guardedness returns. Kas knows that she has started to lower her defensive barriers the past few days with him, and he’s bound and determined to chip away at her wall until it’s nothing but a pile of rubble at her feet. He knows that he only has a week or so left with her before she will be healed enough to be on her own without too much worry. He also knows that it’s not enough time. Before he
Kas’ head leans back as he laughs at the memory. “The puppy was better than any quarterback I’ve been up against as he dodged and ran through our legs, and then went straight into the door that one of us must’ve left wide open. Our parents were mortified, my grandmother was in hysterics, and my grandfather was laughing so hard he was doubled over as the puppy ran through the house and jumped on the couch with those muddy paws. My grandfather thought all of the commotion was hilarious until the puppy jumped off the couch, overshot the turn, and ran straight into the TV stand, knocking it onto the floor, causing pieces to fly everywhere. The darn dog must’ve known that ‘all you know what’ was getting ready to break loose, because he sat down and looked up at everyone with those large, innocent puppy dog eyes.”
Kas’ hearty laughter echoes through the spring night air, sending sweet chills up Raina’s arms. “I thought my grandfather was going to tan all of our hides, but he took mercy on us and just took us outside and hosed us down instead. After we were mud free, he sent us back inside where we spent the next few hours cleaning up the muddy disaster. Pops came out better in the end anyway after our parents went in together and bought them a new large screen TV. We spent the next two weeks doing extra chores to repay them. That was one of the best summers I’ve had.”
Raina watches how happy Kas looks recalling his favorite childhood memories, and instead of jealousy for something she never had, warm comforting feelings run through her, knowing that he has those memories to cherish.
Once all the pizza is gone, Kas refuses to let Raina help him pack up the table and chairs, sending her off to enjoy the view instead. He plays with the radio until he finds a station he likes. He leans against the trunk of a cherry tree with his legs out in front of him, one foot resting casually over the other, and his thumbs tucked into the edge of the pockets of his well worn jeans. He watches Raina run her hand tenderly down one of the blooming branches of the cherry tree. His heart does funny things when he sees a smile spread across her luscious lips as she inhales the sweet cherry aroma. He is taken aback by the intensity of his desire to take her in his arms and press her soft, feminine body against his firm, masculine frame. He wants nothing more right now than to get lost in the scent of her as he holds her in his arms, slow dancing under the moonlit blossoms of the cherry trees.
As if Kas’ thoughts beckon her, she slowly turns around. When their eyes connect, the truth hits Raina like a bolt of lightning. She realizes that she has fallen in love with him, helplessly and unequivocally in love.
That night, under the pale light of the moon, the full impact of the harsh meaning behind the saying ‘truth hurts’ slams into Raina just as viciously as a sucker punch. For the first time in so many years, she has to fight back tears that threaten to spill from her eyes. Every fiber of her being wants Kas, needs him. Her heart, her body, and her soul cry out for his love. The thought of him not loving her back hurts worse than the sharpest sting from her father’s belt ever could. Looking at him looking at her, she does what she does best and forces her emotions deep inside, plastering a smile on her face as she walks lovesick and deflated to the jeep.
Witnessing the earlier carefree attitude dissipate from her lovely face, Kas tenses as his heart restricts when her usual guardedness returns. Kas knows that she has started to lower her defensive barriers the past few days with him, and he’s bound and determined to chip away at her wall until it’s nothing but a pile of rubble at her feet. He knows that he only has a week or so left with her before she will be healed enough to be on her own without too much worry. He also knows that it’s not enough time. Before he
Similar Books
