Revelation Read Online Free

memories of Seth flickering through my head. The old rental house. Broken glass. Bodies twisted in a pile of sheets, gentle kisses, breath warm against my neck. The recollection fills me with strength. Courage. Determination. I swallow the knot jamming my throat, pushing bitterness aside, sliding my black knit cardigan off the hanger.
    Whatever it takes, I'll get him back .
    Outside, wheels turn over the driveway, gravel crunching beneath them.
    By the time I reach the living room Carter is at the front door, fidgeting with keys. I seize a mouthful of air, holding it, heart rushing, and smooth my dress. He steps into the entryway, arms full of plastic bags—what looks like groceries. He pauses when he sees me, grin deepening, and whistles low under his breath. A fiery blush stings my cheeks. "I see you got my note."
    "I thought I told you not to plan anything for my birthday."
    He drags the remaining bags inside, kicks the door closed with his foot. "I didn't. I'm just taking you to dinner. I figured you would need a dress, so. . . ." He trails off, eyes drifting. "You look great, Gee."
    "Thank you. For the dress, I mean. It's perfect. And . . . check this out." I lift the front, tilt my leg, revealing the leather holster, forty-five strapped inside.
    "Now that is sexy."
    I laugh, amused. "Yeah, I thought you might say that. Can I help bring something in?"
    "Nope." He sets the bags on the counter. "I got it."
    "Well, let me at least put them away. I feel like you're carrying all the weight around here."
    "Hardly. But if it makes you feel better, go for it. I need a shower, anyway. Give me fifteen, then we'll head out."
     
    *          *          *
     
    The restaurant is a solid twenty miles out of town. A little Italian place. Cozy. Not fancy—not dress shirt and khakis and shimmery gold dress fancy, anyway—but nice. Red tablecloths. Fresh flowers. Candlelight.
    Carter and I fill up on bread, split an order of lasagna, share a complementary brownie—fresh from the oven—and vanilla ice cream smothered in chocolate syrup. And, by the time we're climbing the steps to the cabin, I've decided only one thing could have made this night more perfect. I force back the hot tears threatening my mascara, my cheeks, the entire evening. Carter is trying so hard. I don't want to ruin it. I can't think about Seth—how he should be here, right now, celebrating with me.
    I'll get him back. I'll find him, and I'll figure out a way I can be with him.
    Inside, Carter assembles a small pile of logs in the fireplace. He crumples newspapers, cramming them between wood, lighting them with a long, slender match. I kick my shoes to the side, toss the couch pillows onto the floor. He shuffles around the kitchen while I prod the fire with a metal poker, stirring it. The fire grows brighter, warming the room. In a few moments he returns, glasses of red wine in hand.
    "What is it about this town?" I ask, taking a glass from him. "First guns and now wine?"
    He sinks to the floor beside me, shoulder touching mine. "I have no idea. They didn't even card me."
    "You don't really look like someone to screw with. They probably didn't want any trouble."
    "Are you saying I cause trouble?"
    I hike the fabric of my dress up my leg, remove the handgun, empty the chamber, and place it on the floor beside me. "No more than I'd cause." He leans away from me, untucking the dark blue dress shirt from his khakis, producing a nearly identical gun from his belt holster. "We're just a modern-day Bonnie and Clyde, aren't we?" I tease, taking a sip of wine. The first taste shocks my tongue, burns my throat as I swallow.
    "It ended badly for those two," he reminds me, voice low, serious.
    The fire blazes, flames reaching, flickering. An uneasy quiet pervades, the distance expanding between us. I don’t know what to say, anymore. What to do. I don't know this Carter. This Carter who whisks me to safety, no questions asked. This Carter who risks