Kelly Hill Read Online Free

thought he would. There was something about that smile that made him want to sit down and talk to her for a while. Something delicate.
    Rachel was blushing now, a light pink on pale cheeks, “I’m Rachel.”
    “What are you reading?” Jefferson nodded at the book that was now sitting in her lap, set down to shake his hand.
    Rachel glanced down at the book and then looked back up at him. Jefferson could see that she was looking for just the right words to say to him. That somewhere she was formulating the perfect sentence. “It’s for my advanced psychology class.”
    “Oh?” Jefferson felt the corner of his mouth move up into a half smile of sorts, he had taken that course last year. She would catch up to his classes quickly if she pushed herself. “I took that last year. Interesting to say the least.”
    “ Mm.” Rachel made a noise in the back of her throat and shifted so that she was moved over more, making room for him on the bench. “I’m enjoying what I’ve read so far.”
    Finally, reluctantly, Jefferson let go of her hand, knowing that he had held onto it for too long. But also knowing that she hadn’t bothered to let go either.
    Jefferson knew that she was going to offer a part of her bench for him to sit down, but he felt better standing. Always had. Sitting made him feel… more exposed. Vulnerable almost. He’d much rather have the vantage he was placed at in this very moment.
    “ Are you ready for classes to start?” Rachel asked, as if she had nothing else to say. He knew that she was thinking about several other things, he could see them brewing behind her eyes, pools of thought that he didn’t mind looking into for some time.
    But he decided to humor her simple question anyway, because that was the safe option. He could pick apart a person in a matter of minutes, but he’d rather not do that with Rachel.  Intellectually, she could very well be his equal and he liked that.
    “ I think so.” He put his hands into the pockets of his suit jacket and he felt himself lick his bottom lip, thinking about what the next thing to say would be. “Are you?”
    “ I’ve been ready since June.” Rachel laughed, embarrassed by her admission. She pushed a stray golden curl out her face and he watched the way it caught the sunlight. Perfect.
    “ I don’t know if I could spend that much time here.” If Jefferson was being honest, he liked the three month break every year. It gave him time to go home and recuperate, regain his strength as it were.
    Rachel’s blushing cheeks flushed crimson now, still embarrassed and Jefferson felt himself smile, a genuine real smile, one that he didn’t have to force or fake for the benefit of others. A smile that was all Rachel’s.
    “Well, I really like Phillips.” Rachel started to gather up her things, getting ready to leave their conversation. Jefferson wanted to keep talking to her. He wanted to keep making her blush, he wanted to watch the wind dance in the tendrils of her hair and he wanted to look at her too blue eyes. “But I think I have to go. I have an appointment with Headmistress Grear this afternoon and I’m afraid I might be running late.”
    “ Well, I’ll walk you then.” Jefferson offered, knowing that she wouldn’t turn him down. He was Jefferson Williams after all.
    She stood shifting her books around, “If you want to.”
    Jefferson took her books from her and tucked them under his arm. “Rachel, there is nothing more that I rather do right now.”

 
    Agoura Hills, California
    June 3rd 2010
     
    Rachel
     
    It was seven in the morning and Rachel still hadn’t gone to sleep yet.
    The birds had started singing around four in the morning when she decided that it was time to finish the pleats on the skirt she had been working on.
    Slowly Rachel decompressed the pedal with her foot that caused the needle in the sewing machine to come to life. It methodically moved up and down as she guided the thin cotton fabric and the rhythmic pulse