Read Online VOLITION (Perception Trilogy, book 2) by Lee Strauss, Elle Strauss - Free Book Online Page A
Authors: Lee Strauss, Elle Strauss
Ads: Link
knew
what kind of damage I might be tempted to do to Taylor. I pictured a fork
pinning his hand to the table.
Contrasting the odor of cold sweat and nerves was the succulent
aroma of roasted chicken. Dorothy carried the platter of carved meat into the
room. The rest of the girls brought in bowls filled with potatoes and other
cooked root vegetables.
Finn recited the obligatory pre-meal prayer and then the eating
frenzy began. As what was apparently the custom, we continued to eat in near
silence. It appeared that conversation was reserved for post-dinner, guys only
drinking, and probable kitchen gossip.
I kept my eye on Mr. Galloway, half expecting him to break
order and to call me and Zoe out, and almost wishing he would. I’d like to
shove that info in Taylor Blake’s face. Mr. Galloway caught me looking at him
once and stared back with reproach. I shifted my gaze to Mrs. Galloway. She was
craning her neck, staring at Zoe. Mr. Galloway must’ve told her about our
“indiscretion.”
When plates were scraped clean and bellies rubbed, Finn pushed
back his chair and stood with his fingers tented together.
“Simon and Hannah, will you please stand with me.”
Simon and Hannah stood opposite each other across the table.
Their eyes locked and embarrassed grins washed over their faces. I took that as
a good sign that Finn wasn’t about to give them a public lashing for something.
“Family, it’s my privilege to announce the betrothal of Simon Ranger
and Hannah Blake.”
My jaw dropped in surprise. I’d never witnessed anything to
show that these two even noticed each other much less loved each other.
Maybe it was an arranged thing.
A murmur of congratulations was offered around the table.
“With a new betrothed couple in our midst,” Finn said, “we are
reminded of the sacredness of the marriage bed, the importance of keeping
oneself pure....”
Here it comes . Mr. Galloway had informed Finn that he’d
caught Zoe and me alone together in the shed, I was certain of it. Obviously,
Mr. Galloway was unaware of his own son’s illicit tendencies.
Finn continued, “Pure, both physically and spiritually,
resisting temptation.”
I couldn’t stop myself from glancing over at Zoe. I remembered
our make-out session in the old church in LA, and how I was the one who’d kept
us from going too far, too fast. I’d used the same words with her: resisting
temptation .
Finn wrapped up with a prayer for the couple. I worried that
they weren’t that happy about this exchange but then I saw Hannah wink at
Simon.
Nothing around this commune was as it seemed.
The girls cleaned up, and Finn opened the locked cabinet.
Taylor slapped Simon on the back. “Welcome to the family.”
Everyone shook Simon’s hand, and I congratulated him last.
“You’re great at keeping secrets around here,” I said, shaking
his hand. Finn’s eyes darted to mine, and I realized my slip belatedly. I
hadn’t meant to infer to the others that some of them might be keeping secrets.
Finn pulled out a decanter filled with an amber liquid and
Philip handed out the shot glasses. Finn filled his before giving the decanter
to Taylor who poured for the rest of us. I glowered at him as he offered mine
to me. The image of him kissing Zoe was seared on my mind and made my blood
boil. I gripped the shot glass and toss the contents down my throat. The
burning sensation was a needed distraction.
I wasn’t the only one tense with nerves. Despite the recent
happy news, a raw agitation filled the room.
“This cold snap has damaged much of the fall crop,” Mr.
Galloway said. “Will be a lean winter.”
“God will provide,” Finn said. “In the meantime the women will
preserve what can be saved.”
“Anyone hear the weather forecast?” I asked. “We’ll leave as
soon as the storm clears.”
“We don’t listen to the radio,” Mr. Galloway said, playing with
his glass. His was the only one that remained full. “The Lord makes each
what kind of damage I might be tempted to do to Taylor. I pictured a fork
pinning his hand to the table.
Contrasting the odor of cold sweat and nerves was the succulent
aroma of roasted chicken. Dorothy carried the platter of carved meat into the
room. The rest of the girls brought in bowls filled with potatoes and other
cooked root vegetables.
Finn recited the obligatory pre-meal prayer and then the eating
frenzy began. As what was apparently the custom, we continued to eat in near
silence. It appeared that conversation was reserved for post-dinner, guys only
drinking, and probable kitchen gossip.
I kept my eye on Mr. Galloway, half expecting him to break
order and to call me and Zoe out, and almost wishing he would. I’d like to
shove that info in Taylor Blake’s face. Mr. Galloway caught me looking at him
once and stared back with reproach. I shifted my gaze to Mrs. Galloway. She was
craning her neck, staring at Zoe. Mr. Galloway must’ve told her about our
“indiscretion.”
When plates were scraped clean and bellies rubbed, Finn pushed
back his chair and stood with his fingers tented together.
“Simon and Hannah, will you please stand with me.”
Simon and Hannah stood opposite each other across the table.
Their eyes locked and embarrassed grins washed over their faces. I took that as
a good sign that Finn wasn’t about to give them a public lashing for something.
“Family, it’s my privilege to announce the betrothal of Simon Ranger
and Hannah Blake.”
My jaw dropped in surprise. I’d never witnessed anything to
show that these two even noticed each other much less loved each other.
Maybe it was an arranged thing.
A murmur of congratulations was offered around the table.
“With a new betrothed couple in our midst,” Finn said, “we are
reminded of the sacredness of the marriage bed, the importance of keeping
oneself pure....”
Here it comes . Mr. Galloway had informed Finn that he’d
caught Zoe and me alone together in the shed, I was certain of it. Obviously,
Mr. Galloway was unaware of his own son’s illicit tendencies.
Finn continued, “Pure, both physically and spiritually,
resisting temptation.”
I couldn’t stop myself from glancing over at Zoe. I remembered
our make-out session in the old church in LA, and how I was the one who’d kept
us from going too far, too fast. I’d used the same words with her: resisting
temptation .
Finn wrapped up with a prayer for the couple. I worried that
they weren’t that happy about this exchange but then I saw Hannah wink at
Simon.
Nothing around this commune was as it seemed.
The girls cleaned up, and Finn opened the locked cabinet.
Taylor slapped Simon on the back. “Welcome to the family.”
Everyone shook Simon’s hand, and I congratulated him last.
“You’re great at keeping secrets around here,” I said, shaking
his hand. Finn’s eyes darted to mine, and I realized my slip belatedly. I
hadn’t meant to infer to the others that some of them might be keeping secrets.
Finn pulled out a decanter filled with an amber liquid and
Philip handed out the shot glasses. Finn filled his before giving the decanter
to Taylor who poured for the rest of us. I glowered at him as he offered mine
to me. The image of him kissing Zoe was seared on my mind and made my blood
boil. I gripped the shot glass and toss the contents down my throat. The
burning sensation was a needed distraction.
I wasn’t the only one tense with nerves. Despite the recent
happy news, a raw agitation filled the room.
“This cold snap has damaged much of the fall crop,” Mr.
Galloway said. “Will be a lean winter.”
“God will provide,” Finn said. “In the meantime the women will
preserve what can be saved.”
“Anyone hear the weather forecast?” I asked. “We’ll leave as
soon as the storm clears.”
“We don’t listen to the radio,” Mr. Galloway said, playing with
his glass. His was the only one that remained full. “The Lord makes each
Similar Books
