Artist's Dream Read Online Free PDF

nearly a year after Kim had moved. She never regretted her decision. If nothing else, it had enabled her to escape her father. At least physically. Mentally, his words and preaching still haunted her.
    “Those boys only want one thing, Cassandra. I will not have a daughter of mine seen out dancing, of all things. It will only lead to trouble, girl. You mind my words. Don’t you ever let one of them touch you!”
    She was lost in thought when the rain hit with dizzying speed. Her wipers could not keep pace with the downpour, and she strained to see the road, leaning closer to the windshield and rubŹbing the now foggy glass with her hand.
    The sudden jolting of the van made her grip the steering wheel tighdy to keep it on the road, and then she heard the unmistakable sound of a flat tire.
    “Oh shit,” she hissed. Cassie slowed, her eyes wide, trying in vain to find the side of the road, hoping she didn’t drive off too far and land in the ditch, but far enough so that she wouldn’t be hit by another car. It was impossible to see through the pounding rain, and she eased off the road just a little farther.
    Turning in her seat, she searched the back for the umbrella, cursing when she remembered leaving it beside the kitchen door the last time it had rained.
    “Shit… shit, shit,” she muttered. She then looked for someŹthing, anything to shield her, wondering why she still believed the so-called experts. The storm wasn’t supposed to hit for hours yet. She was totally unprepared.
    She shook her head, then on a silent count of three, threw open the door against the wind, and went out into the downpour. Shielding her eyes from the rain, she surveyed the very flat tire on the passenger side, now sinking lower into the muddy earth as water ran off the road at an alarming pace.
    “Well, shit,” she said again under her breath, her soaked clothes clinging to her chilled body. How was she to attempt to change the tire in this weatlier? Providing she even knew how to change a tire.
     
    She had just passed one of the many dairy farms in the area. She
    supposed she would have to attempt to walk there. She shook her
    head, wondering why she did not have a cell phone like most
    normal people. Probably the same reason she didn’t have a comŹ
    puter, she mused.
    The blast of a horn startled her and she looked up, shocked to find a black Lexus easing to a stop. The passenger door swung open and Cassie stared inside.
    “Get in before you drown,” Luke Winston yelled as the storm raged around them.
    Cassie hurried to the door, then hesitated, glancing at the leather seats.
    “I’m soaking wet,” she said unnecessarily.
    “No kidding. Get in.”
    Cassie hopped in and slammed the door as water ran from her wet hair into her eyes and down her face. The sound of the storm subsided somewhat as Luke pulled in front of her van and stopped.
    “Are you okay? What happened?” she demanded.
    “Just a flat,” Cassie said. “Do you have a phone? Can you call someone?”
    “Yes, I’ve got a phone, but I doubt you’ll get anyone to come out in this storm,” Luke said. “Where do you live?”
    “About another five miles,” Cassie said, finally wiping at her rain soaked hair and daring to look at her rescuer. “But this storm … I hate for you to have to drive in it.”
    Luke bent her head and looked out at the weather, frowning. “I live just ahead,” she said. “You can come home with me until this lets up some. Then we can see about getting your tire changed.”
    “You live … here?” Cassie asked, the surprise evident in her voice.
    “I have a house here, yes,” Luke said, starting to pull away.
    “Wait,” Cassie said, her hand reaching out lightly to grab Luke’s forearm. “I mean … I hate to impose,” she said lamely. She most definitely did not want to go to this woman’s house.
    “You’re not imposing.”
    “I’ve got food… I’ve been shopping,” she stammered.
     
    Luke gave her an amused