Shut Out by Cathryn Fox

Author:Cathryn Fox [Fox, Cathryn]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Cathryn fox

16

Alysha

I wake up early, the beeping sound of a plow backing up pulling me from my slumber. I check the other side of the bed to find it empty, then my gaze goes to my phone. I’ve yet to message Dad back, and I’d better do it soon, otherwise I wouldn’t put it past him to fly here and drag me home. Maybe I should go home. Ryan is right. I can’t run away forever. Maybe I should go back home and deal with things like an adult. I realize Christmas is in five days and I probably should be with my family.

But the simple fact of the matter is, I don’t want to go home, and it might have more to do with loving it here than avoiding Linc. I can’t even imagine what my parents would think of this sleepy farm town, and no way would they understand the beauty, peace and sense of community I feel here. Maybe Dad should come collect me. Maybe he should see that the life of a socialite, a life without dance, a life with a man I don’t think I love, would smother the light inside me.

Ryan though, he nurtures that light, brings it to the surface and encourages me to let it shine. God, am I getting in too deep with him after only a couple days? I’m smart enough to know better. My heart however, sometimes it’s not so smart. I push to my feet and snatch up Ryan’s sweatshirt and tug it on. I walk to the window and spot Ryan in the tractor, clearing the snow that had fallen last night. He spots me and waves and my heart wobbles.

I take in the big man in the tractor, the ease at which he drives it and my damn ovaries squeeze tight. What is it about a man working heavy equipment that I find so appealing? Chatter from downstairs reaches my ears and that’s when I realize how late it is. My God, the sex and fresh air are wearing me out. I never sleep until noon.

What kind of guest am I?

I tug on my clothes, finger comb my hair and hurry downstairs to find everyone getting ready for their day.

“Good morning, Alysha,” Patricia says as I come into the kitchen. She walks up to the coffee pot and pours me a cup. “Did you sleep well?”

“I can’t believe how long I slept.” I give her an apologetic smile.

“Don’t you worry about a thing. You’re a guest and you can sleep as long as you want.”

My phone pings again, and Patricia smiles at me. “The girls and I are headed to the shelter to drop off some scarves and mitts. Did you want to come with us?”

“Yes, sure. I should probably check with Ryan. I’m not sure if he had anything planned.”

“He told me he had to run into town, some broken fence boards out back need to be replaced.” An odd sense of disappointment rolls through me.

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