Paige Cameron Read Online Free Page A

quickly and were in the air sooner than she’d expected. The past hour had been the longest in her life. Anxiety churned inside her.
    “Ladies and gentlemen, I’m sorry we got a late start, but we have a good tailwind and hopefully will make up most of the lost time.” The pilot spoke over the intercom.
    “Just let me get back in time, and let Payton be all right,” Averil mumbled to herself. She was glad she didn’t have a person in the seat next to her, or they’d think she was crazy. She put her seat back and thought about Payton and Cody.
    Was her guilt of having been instrumental in Payton getting hurt what made her feel so anxious and frightened? Or were her feelings for him and Cody stronger than she wanted to admit? She’d hoped to resolve those questions and others during this week in California. But she wasn’t going to have that leisure time. And she had no idea what she would face when she arrived home. Surely Payton would survive the surgery. He was young, strong, and healthy.
    Averil stared out the window. Flying through wispy clouds with a blue sky all around, her life hung as if suspended in animation. Perhaps this was better than knowing what waited ahead.

Chapter Three
     
    Averil’s mom and dad waved at her as she came out of the airport. Dad got out and put her suitcase in the trunk while she got in the backseat behind her mother.
    Her mother turned to look at her. “Did you convince Kira to come home?”
    “I think so. She said she’d get her affairs in order and come in the next few weeks.”
    “I’ll be happy to have both my girls here.”
    “There’ll be a lot of explaining to do. She’ll cause an uproar at first, if she opens up and tells all.”
    “I know. But this is the best time for her to do it. All three of the tribes have accepted the shape-shifters. Especially since their help in the battle.”
    Her father drove toward the hospital. He hadn’t committed.
    “What do you think, Dad? This will be your problem, too.”
    “When I married your mother, I took on you two girls as my own to love and take care of. I can handle our family’s problems.”
    Averil’s heart swelled with love for this gentle giant. He was tall and husky, with large hands and a bigger heart.
    “We love you, too, Dad.”
    He smiled in the rearview mirror at her. “I assumed you wanted to go straight to the hospital. Your mom and I will come in with you to see Mr. and Mrs. Camilius.”
    “Thanks. I’d like to have you all nearby.”
    “Then we will be.”
    The hospital receptionist directed them to the ICU waiting room. They took the elevator up, and when they got off, Averil saw Cody pacing the corridor. Mr. and Mrs. Camilius sat huddled together in the waiting room. Their faces were pale and worried. Their other children sat or stood close to them.
    Mr. Camilius and his wife got up to greet Averil and her parents. “We were told when the surgery was half over that it was going well, but we haven’t had any news since,” Mr. Camilius said.
    “Does it normally take this long?” Mrs. Bevyns asked.
    “Dr. Jack came by. He said the bleed is in a difficult area, and the surgeon has to go very slowly. He doesn’t want to cause any permanent damage or lose him.”
    Averil saw Cody walk by the door. She excused herself and went out to join him.
    “How are you doing?”
    “Don’t bother me. I’m thinking. Go back with your parents and keep the Camilius family company.”
    “Cody, please stop walking and look at me.”
    At first she thought he’d ignore her, but gradually his pace slowed, and he turned to face her. His light-blue eyes were cold and distant.
    “I’ve stopped. What do you want?”
    “Why are you so angry with me? You know I didn’t mean to hurt Payton.”
    “Do I? With him gone you’d be the best sharpshooter in all three tribes. Your value would go way up.”
    “Are you crazy?” Averil stood on her toes and leaned her face toward his.
    He put his nose against hers.