Black 21: (Golden Hills Legacy of Black 21 Book 1) Read Online Free Page A

guys at school all got in line
to date her, but her father wouldn’t allow it. He used to say that no one would
want a used woman, much less marry one so she better stay sweet, constantly
checking up on her.
    Yes, her plan
was to please her father and stay sweet. But sometimes fate interjects. Tears
welled up in her hidden eyes.
    They turned
down the street of her aunt and uncle’s and pulled into the driveway. She
unhooked her seat belt and grabbed the handle when he finally spoke.
    “There’s a
bonfire at the beach tonight. I haven’t been to a bonfire in a long time, but
it’s kind of all part of the ceremonial events leading up to the ball. Would
you like to go with me?” he asked.
    “I guess
that’ll be all right. Sure." She grabbed the handle to get out, but he
reached out to her shoulder.
    “I’m such a
jerk. Sorry for talking to you like that. I’m not myself these days.
Friends?" He gave a lopsided smile.
    She smiled
back. “Of course. I understand the father thing, believe me.”
    A knowing look
washed over his face as he nodded in agreement. He watched her run up the steps
and into the house before pulling out.
     
    ***
     
    Christian
picked her up on time and helped her into her side of his truck. He turned on
the radio and a song from Plain White T’s came on.
    “I used to love
listening to them,” she said.
    “Used to?”
    She didn’t
realize she had said that out loud. She cleared her throat. “Before I
graduated.”
    He turned it to
a pop dance song and glanced at her. “You look nice, Daisy.”
    “Thank
you." She wore her new blue jeans and silky purple tank top that tied
around her neck, along with sandals that showed off her pink pedicured nails,
all done while shopping with Gloria. It wasn’t her stepmother’s usual thing to
do with her, but she went along with it.
    She wondered
about that girl her aunt mentioned last night. What did happen to her? She had
said ‘tragically,’ but did she have a right to ask him? Maybe let it go.
    “I used to have
a pretty serious relationship back in high school, but things change." His
voice trailed off.
    Confusion came
over her face before responding. “Yes, sorry. I heard something about that but
didn’t want to pry. A bad breakup?”
    “She died,” he
answered in a quiet tone.
    “Oh, my God.
Aunt Betty had said tragically, but I just didn’t think...I’m so sorry,
Christian,” she said, grabbing his arm.
    “I’m fine now, was
a long time ago. I just put all my energy into school and now ready to take on
my new role,” he said, giving her a small smile.
    “What did you
major in?”
    “Psychology. I
wanted to understand the human mind,” he said, grinning.
    “So you can
understand the minds of your town people?”
    He gave a
hearty laugh. “Yeah, something like that.”
    She shook her
head in amazement and stared into the blackness. The streetlights disappeared
behind them, as they treaded into more gravely side roads.
    Trees
multiplied as they drove deeper into the woods. The smell of the bonfire worked
its way to the truck, so they must be getting closer.
    Christian broke
the silence. “Can I ask why did you come to visit out here, when you should be
whooping it up with your friends for the summer?”
    She squinted
her eyes, feeling as if he already knew that answer. “Let’s just say I needed
to get away for a while, plus my dad basically ordered me to come out here.”
    “You always do
what your father wants?" He steered the truck into a parking lot, cheers
escalating from the lake.
    “He thinks it’s
what’s best for me,” she replied. She smiled at his concern. No one ever really
showed her concern except for family. A wave of warmth flowed through her,
easing any anxiety she had felt. A wall began to crumble inside her.
    They got out
and walked to the sanded area...and to the tribe.
     
    ***
     
    “Christian,
there you are! This is supposed to be for you, and you’re the last one
here!" A pretty girl with a