The Finding Read Online Free Page A

herself.
    Executing a
fancy little step, she paused and listened carefully. Kellen hadn’t
answered yet. Opening her mouth to call out again, she heard a
board creak near the front door. She frowned. Now what was he
doing? He’d only arrived home a few minutes ago.
    Perhaps he was
playing a joke on her as he sometime did. A mischievous grin spread
across her face and she decided to turn the tables on him. She set
the spoon down and tiptoed to the archway that separated the
kitchen from the living room. Peeking around the corner, she saw
Kellen was almost at the front door.
    Stepping out,
she cleared her throat loudly, planted her hands on her hips and
spoke in a mock serious tone. “And where do you think you’re
going?”
    Kellen froze,
then slowly turned around to face her. Something about his posture
gave her the feeling he’d been trying to sneak away unnoticed
rather than trying to trick her. His expression, a combination of
guilt and exasperation at being caught, confirmed the fact.
“Out.”
    Her playful
mood rapidly evaporated at his evasive answer. She leaned against
the doorway, suddenly feeling weary as she took in his
appearance.
    His lithe body
was dressed for a night out with the boys; nothing special of
course, but not his usual at home gear of sweats and a comfortable
old t-shirt. Well fitting denim encased his hips, a band t-shirt
showed off his broad shoulders and a brown leather jacket was
clutched in his hand. The jacket was the same shade as his hair,
which was one of the reasons she’d bought it for him last
Christmas. Since he often worked the night shift, and evening
temperatures could be quite cool in the desert, she’d deemed it to
be a practical extravagance. He’d been duly appreciative of the
gift, but those had been happier times...
    “Out where?”
She knew the answer already, but some devil inside prodded her
onward even as she questioned her own actions. Why did she do this
to herself? Why did she set herself up to be hurt by asking stupid
questions? Cassie knew she should just let him go; turn the
proverbial blind eye to his behaviour, but hiding from a problem
wouldn’t solve anything.
    Really? A voice inside her taunted. You hide every day; keeping me
locked up, denying my existence. Your own secret is a living thing,
struggling to get out, to make itself known...
    Never mind, she
hissed to herself. That’s not the issue right now. She pushed the
voice firmly away, refocussing on Kellen and wondering what excuse
he might use this time.
    Kellen’s mouth
was drawn into a straight line. She watched the blue of his eyes
deepen before he lowered his lashes as if trying to hide his
expression. “Just out with friends. It’s no big deal.” Giving a
shrug, he pulled on the leather jacket and adjusted the collar.
    “I know the
kind of friends you mean and—”
    “You’re not my
mother, okay? So lay off!” The angry words were flung at her and
Cassie fought not to respond in kind. Both of them shouting
wouldn’t solve anything. Someone needed to keep a cool head; as
usual, it would be her.
    Taking a deep
breath, Cassie steadied herself. “Kellen...” She stepped forward,
her hand held out beseechingly. “Stay home. Please. Keep me company
like you promised.”
    He winced at
the word ‘promise.’ She paused until he finally met her gaze, then
smiled tentatively, gently. “I...I made your favourite meal.”
    The words hung
between them; the bubble of hope like a palpable entity while she
waited for him to comment. She’d never been taught to cook, but had
mastered the basics over the past few years. Her lack of ability
was a standing joke between them; Kellen gently teasing her about
her culinary disasters then helping her turn them into something
edible. Spaghetti and meat sauce was one of her few successful,
independent meals and he frequently claimed it was the best he’d
ever tasted. He could be so sweet sometimes...
    Silence
stretched between them and his lack of