Lost and Found by Katharine Sadler EPUB & PDF – eBook Details Online
- Author: Katharine Sadler
- Language: English
- Formats: PDF / EPUB
- Status: Available For Free Download
- Series: None
- Price: Free
- File Size: 2 MB
Dani
There’s nothing in the world better than waking up without a roof over
my head. I curl up into a sitting position, sleeping bag still tight around me,
breath making clouds in front of me, to watch the sun sneak up over the
mountains. I breathe in the crisp mountain air as the forest wakes with the
sun, birds chirping to greet the day, squirrels rustling around in the
underbrush.
Early October in the mountains of Southwestern Virginia is chilly. I shiver,
even with the sleeping bag snug around me, but I don’t get up and head home
where it’s nice and warm.
A crack, like a twig breaking, echoes from the quiet forest and I hold
perfectly still, hoping to see some wild creature like a deer, maybe even a
bobcat or a fox, step out of the woods without realizing I’m here. I want to be
so much a part of the natural background that wild animals consider me as
one of theirs.
Instead, a man emerges without a sound from the dark shadows cast by the
trees, his breath puffing out ahead of him in a white cloud. He’s long and
lean, his longish hair sticking out in several directions, his cheeks ruddy from
exertion or the chill. Exertion, I guess, as I take in his running shoes, athletic
pants, and t-shirt.
I hold my breath. Maybe he won’t notice me and he’ll go back to his
workout. He’s probably not a serial killer, but I am a woman alone on the side
of a mountain and he is a man.
He doesn’t jog in place or check his pulse. He breathes deep, hands on his
narrow hips and looks around the clearing. His gaze zeroes in on me with an
intensity that makes my heart pound.
He strides toward me, his long legs eating up the distance, his scowl
becoming clearer the closer he gets. His face is all sharp bones and
disapproval, and my nerves thrum.
This is not good.
Needing to be able to run, I leap to my feet. At least, I try to.
My legs get tangled in my sleeping bag and I tip forward. I don’t even get
my hands out to catch myself before the ground rushes up to meet me face
first.
I wince and close my eyes, preparing for the pain. It doesn’t come.
Strong hands grip my shoulders so hard it hurts and push me back up to a
standing position.
Except the sleeping bag is still tangled around my feet, so I end up on my
butt, staring up at the clearly annoyed man.
“You haven’t paid for this campsite.” His voice is rough, and sort of
creaky, like he’s more tin man than human. Like maybe he hasn’t spoken to
anyone in a long time.
“My butt bone is sore, but I think I’ll be okay. Thanks for asking.” I shove
myself out of the sleeping bag and get to my feet, keeping a good amount of
space between myself and the hostile stranger.
Yep, my butt is gonna have a nasty bruise.
“You’re camping illegally.”
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