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She smiled at the recollection. Carrie A
Hard ru
Tomorrow was promised to no one.
She needed to come clean and she knew it.
Carrie A
Exhaustion took hold of the blackness, slowly releasing the tension from her body. She opened her mouth to try again, but all that came out was a soft sleepy murmur, “The wind is so strong. I can’t believe all the trees haven’t fallen over yet.”
“The strong storms that roll through this region make the trees take deeper roots,” Summer said deftly. “Kind of like you and me.”
“Umm.” She remained motionless, drifting off to sleep in the blissful comfort of his arms.
Pressing his lips against the top of her head, Summer whispered in a miserable voice, “Don’t let me go, Red.”
Chapter Ten
‡
She woke to Aspen tugging on her foot. Carrie A
“Aspen, no-no,” she groaned, untying the sash draped loosely around her neck.
Bright sunshine streamed through the fogged windows. Her eyes squinted, straining to focus. She raised her hand to block the sunlight from her eyes.
“It’s me, Carrie A
She scrubbed the sleep from her eyes. He stood at the end of the couch dressed in jeans and a rock t-shirt, boots on and sunglasses perched on top of his head. Dark smudges of fatigue lay beneath his eyes.
“We’re leaving?”
“I think its best. I can’t take much more of this.” Forcing a small smile, he coasted his thumb over her toenails. “I was hoping we’d get to these.”
Hurt and longing muddied his eyes and voice.
She didn’t like it.
A cold ache spread goosebumps down her exposed leg. “Summer…”
“It’s okay, Red. You don’t have to say anything. I know you came willingly, but it’s clear you don’t want to be here. I feel horrible about last night.” He gave the arch of her foot a quick double squeeze before letting go. “I’m ready, so if you’ll throw your things together, we’ll take off.”
He didn’t bother waiting around for her response. Carrie A
A hard frown soured her face, as she rose to her feet. The heaviness of years of long nights hung from her slouched shoulders, as she slogged to her room to pack.
It should’ve taken her thirty minutes to get ready to leave, but an hour and fifteen minutes had passed by the time she stepped out the front door. Her flowy white blouse tucked behind the buckle of her brown belt and frayed cut-off shorts.
For the first time since she’d arrived the majestic snow-capped mountains were on full display, rising above the fertile valley. The fresh scents of pine and rainy earth clung to the damp air.
Summer and Aspen played football in the meadow. The tall grass bright in contrast to the dark saturated ground. The sounds of birds and other small animals hard at work filled the stillness.
Closing her eyes, Carrie A
“I can’t believe how big she’s gotten in just a few days,” she murmured. It seemed as if the pup had doubled in size.
Pulling keys from his pocket, he locked the door and started for the plane. Threatening clouds hovered in clusters high overhead, darkening the skies. Carrie A
A ray of sunshine, clear and straight, pushed through the clouds, carving a distinct shadow on the ground directly in front of her feet. Carrie A
The clatter drew his attention. Summer turned back. The sound of gravel crunching beneath each footstep. “Sorry, do you need some help with these?” he asked apologetically, taking hold of her bags.
She couldn’t answer. She couldn’t breathe. She couldn’t move. Her knees locked tight, refusing to carry her any further.
Summer walked toward the plane.
He walked out of her reach.
He was walking right out of her life.
Carrie A
Sucking in a big breath of air, she filled her lungs before blurting loudly, “I’ve seen all of your movies.”
Carrie A
“I know. You already confessed how much you loved my movies.”
“I didn’t really care for the last one. I mean…I liked the movie, but I didn’t like it when you kissed her. I really hated the fact that she was topless.” One shoulder lifted and her chin jutted out boldly, bracing for her own admission. “I won’t be very good about things like that.”
Summer stopped. The hard edge of the outline of his shoulders softened.
“Was that so hard to admit?”
“Yes.”
“I was thinking of you…wishing she was you the entire time.” Turning around, he started toward her. “Oh, Christ, Red, don’t cry. You’re killing me. You’ve cried more in the last few days than you did in the two years we dated.”
Summer stopped in front of her, hands hung stiffly at his sides, not knowing what to do. Carrie A
Swiping the wetness from her chin with the back of her hand, she motioned toward the plane. “I don’t really want to go.”
He glared at her behind his aviator sunglasses. “Don’t stand there and insult me Carrie A
“I’m not afraid to fly. You owe me a date.” She wanted to go to him, but her feet dug in refusing to budge beyond the line drawn on the ground.