Read Online The Lost and Found by E. L. Irwin - Free Book Online Page B

inside and we picked out a few puppy toys, a couple bowls, a collar, and a leash. I was just bending to pick up a large bag of food, when I heard a voice at my shoulder, “I got it.”
    I jumped a little, but Josiah grabbed the bag and quickly, easily, tossed it over his shoulder. I remembered all too well how that felt. How easily he’d done the same with me. I was blushing again when Josiah caught my eye. His grin told me he remembered as well.
    “You caught me off-guard.”
    “Which time?” He grinned.
    “Both times,” I grumbled.
    “I know.” He shrugged the bag on his shoulder. “Is this it?”
    “Yeah, that’s it.”
    After I’d paid for everything and we were heading out to the bus, Ethan asked me if I wanted to hold Daisy. I took her and held her close for a moment, letting him and Kelly carry the bags. The other boys gathered around when they saw the puppy. A big arm came over my shoulder, to brush across Daisy’s back. “I see we’re picking up another stray.”
    I turned around to see Rob standing right behind me. He was looking at me, not the puppy. “Soft. Cute, too. Bet she enjoys a good petting.”
    I stepped away from him, not liking the tone of his voice or the innuendo in his words. Josiah moved back to my side, his presence comforting. Rob shot me a sly grin before walking over to the bus. He leaned against it nonchalantly, keeping his gaze on me. Josiah followed his movements, with his jaw clenched again.
    “All right,” Billy said. “Everyone here and accounted for? Ethan, you should take her for a potty break before we get going. Load up!”
    Billy drove to the Burger King and told us he was going to place a basic order: cheeseburgers, fries, and Cokes for all. He left Josiah in charge as he went inside.
    I glanced over my shoulder and noticed that most of the boys were seated around Ethan, excited to see Daisy and pet her. Looking further, I saw that Rob, Adam, and Cullen had moved to the very back of the bus where they were talking quietly amongst themselves. Once or twice they’d look up at Josiah, and then glance in my direction before looking back down. Josiah just watched them silently, making no comment, giving no indication that he was in any way bothered by their actions.
    It only took about twenty minutes for Billy to return with our dinner; once it was dispersed we ate on the road.
    When we got back to the ranch, Cullen asked Billy if we could do a bonfire. The others joined in the plea, and soon there was a large blaze roaring in the rock-rimmed pit behind the house.
    I went inside to put my purse away, and when I came back out I stopped for a moment, unsure as to where to sit. There was only one seat available, so it shouldn’t have been that difficult. Problem was, the open seat was right between Josiah and Ethan. My brother was fine, I’d have chosen to sit by him regardless; it was sitting beside Josiah that gave me pause.
    After my parents had died, I’d gratefully been able to build a nice, thick, numb wall around my emotions. What I couldn’t feel wouldn’t hurt me. Ethan was the only thing I allowed inside. The only one I’d let affect me. Until I’d met Josiah. From that very first encounter by the baggage claim he’d been cracking away at my shell. Then he’d shattered it entirely when he forced me to acknowledge I was still alive, still had a life to live.
    I’d been trying to ignore the stares, ignore the way his voice, his scent, his touch, his look had been prodding at me. I thought that if I closed him off I could just ignore him and be alive in my safe, numb shell. Josiah wouldn’t have any of it. And the more I responded to him, the harder it was to remain closed off, the harder it became to fight this attraction I didn’t want to deal with.
    For a brief moment I debated whether I should just move quietly back inside, and I’d nearly turned and slipped away when Ethan spotted me and yelled, “Sage!”
    I fought against the urge to roll my