Sovereign Ground (Breaking Bonds) Read Online Free

door slams. Lorna’s
ridiculous titter leaks through the closed window. “Thank you so much!”
    Thom scuttles back into the main room and slides his
vodka behind the expired box of bran flakes. We simultaneously turn.
    A black, open-toed shoe pushes the front door ajar
and a pink and white, striped bag props it further.
    “You’re so kind,” Lorna says.
    I hear a man’s voice and then an unusual laugh
from Lorna. It sounds like a whippoorwill on steroids. A tall man enters. His
hair is slightly lighter than his skin; both are offset by his dark, Shoshone-Paiute
Police uniform, which peaks out from a navy, flannel jacket. Light brown eyes join
with mine in that unique, almost spiritual connection.
    “This is officer Pruitt. He was so kind to rescue
me.”
    We still stare at each other as though we’ve met.
    “What happened?” Thom asks.
    “Well, since you took the Firebird, I had to
borrow Raenah’s Rabbit, and it broke down on me. I can’t believe she loaned me
a car that couldn’t make it to the mall and back.”
    Poor Raenah, our neighbor will probably get an
earful from Lorna in exchange for the kindness. The officer turns and grabs
four more bags from just outside the door and sets them on the floor by Lorna.
    “So there I was, stranded, when a car pulls up
behind me. I was so relieved to see the uniform.” She trills again.
    I can’t believe the officer is still bringing in
bags. “You sure bought a lot.”
    “Hi, welcome home.” Her face doesn’t match the
pleasant words. “I got a bonus. Thom, take these bags.” She holds out her arm
to the policeman. “I can’t thank you enough.” Lorna puts her hand on the
officer’s elbow before she turns and takes a bag to her bedroom. Thom follows
her out.
    “It’s good to see you.” At the officer’s voice, I
turn. I do know him.
    “I was at the Wild Lily,” he says.
    “Oh.” I cut him off and walk out the front door.
Outside, the sun glints off his head. “You pulled me out.” The sunshine man was
real.
    “Are you okay?” He still doesn’t break eye
contact.
    “Shh.”
    “Oh, they don’t…”
    I widen my eyes like, “duh.”
    He just stares at me.
    “So, Officer…?”
    “Hayden,” he says.
    “Officer Hayden.”
    “Pruitt.”
    I just look at him, waiting. He doesn’t seem to
notice my confusion. “Officer Pruitt?”
    “Call me Hayden.”
    I laugh.
    “I didn’t get your name.” He just smiles at me and
never looks away. I’ve grown used to men’s gawking, but this is more like seeing
me than the ogling directed up from the base of the dance floor. The last thing
I want is to be on familiar terms with a cop. Instead, I give the name they
gave me at the Wild Lily.
    “Baby.”
    He looks disappointed, but sticks out his hand to
shake. It’s better this way.
    His hand is much bigger than mine. He waits for a
good grip before he squeezes lightly. His skin is dry and rough. At first, I’m amazed
at the warmth I feel in his palm. It makes me wonder how long it has been since
I touched someone’s skin.
    “Cops give people rides home?” I fold my arms around
the book—mostly to resist clinging to his hand.
    “I was off duty. I saw your mom’s car broken
down.”
    Awesome. I wish Lorna’d heard that. “Sister-in-law.”
    “I have been worried…praying for you.”
    Now it’s my turn to stare. Praying?
    He points to the book in my arms. “How do you like
Aesop’s Fables?”
    He didn’t ask what I was reading, he just knew.
“I’m not sure yet.” Even after I finish a story, it takes me time to form an
opinion. The book is a hardback, but I run my hand across it, as if to smooth
the cover. “I can’t seem to find that elusive happy ending.”
    “I know what you mean.” He swallows. “But it isn’t
that elusive. There’s a book with…”
    “Well, then give it to me.”
    He laughs like he doesn’t think I’m serious, but
answers, “I will. And if you want—I can take you to hear about the story.”
    Oh, so