Always Read Online Free Page B

scoffed. “I don’t think that’s true.” I shrugged with a foolish smile plastered on my face. “And I don’t think you believe that either,” he added.
    “ I’m just a normal average girl.” I gestured awkwardly to a beautiful bush with pink flowers decorating its full leaves. “This is lovely.”
    “ Where did you grow up?” He didn’t even glance at the roses.
    “ Here.” The single word sounded too much like a question to be convincing.
    “ You don’t have the accent down.” He switched his own accent so fluidly I would have thought he was from the States. “But you do try very well,” he said back in his regular voice.
    “ I’m…” My voice came out in a squeak. I cleared my throat as quietly as I could.
    “ Where were you born?” His eyes seemed to see all the way through me, and before I even realized what I was saying, I was telling him the truth.
    “ I was born in Virginia.”
    “ Beautiful place,” he murmured.
    My breath was coming out way to heavily but once one truth was out and he didn’t run away, other truths came without his prompting. “My parents are both dead. They got the sickness.”
    “ What were their names?”
    My eyes stung with unshed tears, it had been so long since I had spoken their names. “Maria and Benjamin.”
    “ Very lovely.”
    I smiled up at him. “My mother gave me a locket. I still have it.”
    “ What was your mother like?”
    “ Um,” I swallowed quickly. I hoped that I wouldn’t start crying. “She was quiet.”
    He laughed, the sound releasing some of my own tension. “A quiet woman is a rarity.”
    “ Indeed.” We both laughed. The sounds joined together, and filled the empty places in my heart.
    Marcus felt so familiar to me; I could hardly believe how carefree he made me feel. I was once again the little girl who got in trouble for taking trousers and riding her horse bareback. If I closed my eyes tight enough, I could feel the way the wind played with my unruly curls that day, the way the blood rushed into my face, and the way my heart beat for the thrill of the ride.
    But I didn’t close my eyes. I didn’t have to; I felt all those things just by looking at Marcus.
    “ Look at that,” I exclaimed over an old apple tree that I had almost forgot existed. “Those apples look amazing.”
    “ Pick which one you want.” Marcus took his jacket off and threw it carelessly down.
    “ Umm,” I scanned the delicious fruits until I found the largest one, “that one.” I pointed to a spot far up in the branches.
    “ Done,” he winked and began climbing up the tall tree. I watched with a small smile tugging at my lips.
    “ Are you sure you have to have this one, Claudia?”
    I nodded eagerly, my curls bouncing off my forehead. “It’s the biggest on the tree.”
    “ It’s also the highest up,” Marcus grumbled with a laugh. “If I should fall and break my neck, will you feel guilty then?”
    My eyes widened. “You won’t fall, will you?”
    “ I don’t plan on it.” He pushed himself up to a higher branch, and a few leaves fluttered to the ground.
    “ I changed my mind,” I called frantically. “Just come down.” I craned my neck so I could watch as he carelessly positioned his feet on two branches, and reached for the prized apple.
    One of the branches bent dangerously, and he had to scramble to right himself. “Oph,” I heard his muffled exclamation.
    “ Marcus!” I buried my face in my hands, unable to watch anymore.
    “ Here you are,” he declared triumphantly.
    When I opened my eyes, he was standing in front of me, both feet safely on the ground, holding out the apple. “Are you okay?” I gushed.
    “ It doesn’t look as big up close, does it?” He crinkled his nose in disappointment.
    “ You could have been hurt,” I flared. I plucked the offered apple from his hands. “Thanks,” I mumbled.
    “ I’m fine, Claudia. I used to climb many trees when I was a boy.”
    “ You’re not a boy