Read Online Signed and Sealed by B.A. Stretke - Free Book Online Page A

access.”

    Will was stunned. “When did he do this?”

    “Before he left this morning, just after he spoke with you,” Mrs. Coleman said casually.

    Will laughed uneasily. “I can’t take this.”

    “He said for you to feel free to purchase anything you need.” Mrs. Coleman was beginning to act uncomfortable.

    “It’s okay, Mrs. Coleman. I just can’t use his bank card. He doesn’t owe me anything. I’m not his responsibility.” Will tried to smile in order to put Mrs. Coleman’s mind at ease.

    Mrs. Coleman nodded. She understood Will’s reluctance to accept such a generous gift, but what Will didn’t know was how unlike Elijah it was to make such an offer. He must have a great deal of trust in him , Mrs. Coleman thought to herself, because that bank card would give him access to many thousands of dollars. She wondered if Elijah was testing William to see if he was as money-hungry as his sister. If that was the case, then giving him his bank card would be a rather large risk.

    Will placed the card on the table. “I appreciate the offer, but I  cannot take advantage of his generosity.”

    Mrs. Coleman was pleased to see how different William and his sister Katrina really were. If this was a test , she thought to herself, then William definitely passed.

    Will left the ranch just before noon. Mrs. Coleman had drawn him a map directing him to the mall. It looked to be an easy drive—the town was a little over thirty miles away. He was planning on making the most of his time away, since he didn’t know whether he would be allowed to leave again.

    Five hours and many packages later, he was sitting at a table in the food court having a cappuccino. If I could spend every day like this, he was thinking, the next few weeks would be a breeze. He was finally pondering the idea of starting back to the ranch when he saw an all-too-familiar frown headed in his direction. He noticed that Eli was dressed as he had been that morning, although more dusty and worn-looking. He looked as if he’d had a long, hard day, yet he walked with speed and purpose. Eli’s eyes never left his, as if he thought Will might try to bolt and was ready to give chase if need be. He garnered a lot of attention from the passersby and the idle shoppers. They actually looked startled to see him there in the mall. They watched him as he made for the food court and the young man sitting there. Curiosity over his identity became the talk of the day.

    Will remained seated and resumed drinking his cappuccino. He refused to get upset and jump to Eli’s command. Eli could look as sinister as he wanted, Will would not be frightened by him. He told himself this as Eli came to stand beside Will’s table, towering over him with a look of angry frustration. Will looked up at him with an expression of complete innocence.

    “What can I do for you?” he asked. Eli’s irritation was evident, but Will tried to remain oblivious to it.

    “Don’t get me started with a question like that,” he said harshly. “There are many things I want you to do for me, but none are appropriate for the mall.” His tone took on a low huskiness that Will didn’t recognize. Was he baiting him into an argument, or trying to embarrass him? Eli bent down close to Will, leaning one hand on the table in front of him. “Just when were you planning to return to the ranch, if ever?” he asked accusingly.

    “You said,” Will began hotly, “be back by dinner. Dinner is at seven, so I translated that as meaning, be back by seven.” He made an exaggerated gesture to the clock on the wall. “It’s barely five o’clock. I have plenty of time.”

    “You’re going to push me, aren’t you?” he said in a tone that was neither light nor friendly.

    “Only if you get in my way,” he retorted, more stouthearted than he was feeling. His mood darkened considerably. If they hadn’t been in this very public place, Will was certain that Elijah would have shown him very