Read Online Something Of A Kind by Miranda Wheeler - Free Book Online

worried about Luke and Owen?” Aly asked for
the third time.
    When they got to the parking lot the guys were nowhere in sight,
but neither were the ATVs, Luke’s mom’s jeep, or Owen’s sedan –
nicknamed ‘Junker’. Noah laughed it off.
    Young and Hunt mocked the elders and the culture with their
chest puffed out and their chins in the air, but the moment they got
spooked the legends were their first conclusion. He knew they took
it as seriously as their parents and ancestors did. Or, if not so
religiously, they were
certainly skittish enough to freak at the
concept.
    Noah had never found Lee or any of his comrades particularly
convincing.
He
was much less inclined to join in with their
hysterics.
I’m kind of pissed they scared her, though.
    Noah had tried to reassure Aly, but he knew it bothered her.
When his friends had something in their head deep enough to
believe it themselves, their panic switch was so dramatic it became
persuasive.
    “Aly, I’m more than sure they’re fine. They get hyped
up over
the legends around here. The funny thing is, most of the stories don't
even belong to this area. They drift from town to town.”
“It’s a beautiful culture,” she finally said. An endearing
appreciation took the worry from her voice.
    She stared at the trees, only glancing at him when they spoke. As
he drove her home, he found himself slowing down the closer they
got. He wasn’t ready to say goodnight. He was too conscious of her
place by his side, of her smooth hand in his palm. Hyperaware of the
blood moving through his fingers, he couldn’t help but notice
whenever she twitched, or trembled.
    As Noah forced himself to watch the road, he scanned for
animals in the thick brush. Gaze locked twelve minutes ahead and
behind the vehicle, he kept one hand atten o’clock on the wheel.
    Aly, in her untouchable silence, was a screaming blind spot after
nearly spinning out of control on the trails. Owen had him paranoid
he’d get the poor girl killed. He had paid too much attention to her
knees pressing against his sides and the palms flat against his ribs.
With her fingers clutching his chest, he wondered if she felt the wild
beats below his sternum.
    As the headlights lit up the sign labeling Thorne Avenue, he
shoved away the thought of circling the block or pretending to run
the turn. Hesitantly letting go of her to cross over the corner, he was
unable to gather the courage to replace his hand. After a moment,
she tucked her hands beneath her knees, crossing her ankles as they
approached her drive.
    He needed to
know when he’d see her again.
“The culture, huh?” he murmured, stealing a peek at her. She
shifted in her seat to face him, a smile on her face. “You know those
tracks I was talking to you about, and the paintings? If you’re up for
it, maybe tomorrow I could drive you up there. I’ll ask around and
get more info on the legends.” Unable to hide his grin, Noah
playfully added, “Unless you’re scared, of course.”
"Of course not. Sounds perfect," Aly agreed, sounding pleased.
     
After unbuckling, she elbowed out of his coat, a loan he offered
after watching her shiver while he fastened the ATV to the trailer.
     
She folded it in half and slid it over the dash, whispering thanks
for the afternoon, the ride, and the jacket.
    He wanted to say something besides ‘you’re welcome’ –
anything to keep her in the truck, to continue the conversation, to
apologize for his friends, for making her sad about her mom, for
getting her scared of the woods. Something to get inside her head
and figure out what it was that made it work.
Someone so quiet has to be screaming inside.
     
“I’ll wait until you’re inside,” he promised, feeling pathetic.
    Aly thanked him again, smiling as she gently waved goodbye
and slipped onto the path winding towards the tiny porch. As she
approached, a light stirred, flooding the yard. She waited by the
door, knocking and ringing the bell.