Night Visions (Night Series) Read Online Free PDF Page B

She dropped her eyes as heat crept up her tear stained cheeks. She could only imagine what she must look like. Eyes and nose red and swollen. Thank God for waterproof mascara. When she imagined a reunion, she always saw herself as poised and in control. Not the love-struck, eighteen year-old girl he left behind.
    Silently , she cursed Ginger for breaking the tenuous thread that held her together. She gave her the we'll-talk-later look. Ginger continued licking her paw, unfazed by Sam's death stare.
    Sam narrowed her eyes on one very innocent looking Ginger. We'll see how pleased she is when she's sleeping on the cold, hard floor tonight.
    Feeling self-conscious, Sam turned away. Focusing her attention on the slow moving ripples in the lake. The silence dragged on, each second deepening the ache in her heart. She wished Ian would say something. Anything to ease the awkward tension building between them. What was going through his mind? Regret? Had he hoped she wasn't home? That he would have been able to avoid her? Was he just being polite? Sam needed to get this over. To finally close this chapter on her life.
    “Why are you here, Ian?” she finally asked, not meeting his gaze.
    He stepped in front of her so she was forced to look in his eyes. “I came for you,” he said softly. He reached out as if to touch her, then let his arm fall.
    “You came for me? After all these years?” It made no sense. None of it did. Yet, a glimmer of hope sparked inside her. Hopefully he didn't notice. She didn't want him to notice. Didn't want him to see that he still affected her the same way he always had. Like the first time she met him, fifteen years ago. When he found her huddled on the dock, cradling her injured knee. He lifted her in his arms, holding her close. The pain in her leg forgotten as she looked into his hazel eyes. Even as a boy of eleven he found the need to protect her. If he was back to mess with her mind again, she wouldn't survive. "Why?"
    Ian stood in silence, fisting his hands at his side. He'd been quiet for so long, she didn't think he would answer. Pensively he said, “I need to explain to you why I left and it's not something that I can do here.”
    She stared at him, waiting for him to continue.
    “Jason sent me."
    "Jason? What do you mean Jason?" she asked. He had stayed in touch with Jason all these years and her brother had never said a word to her? Her chest tightened. Vibrations rolled through her head.
    "That's why I'm here. Jason asked me to come and get you."
    The admission had nausea coiling in her stomach. She shook her head, doing her best to form words. "I don't understand."
    Regret flashed in his eyes once more. He reached for her again, but when she tried to back away, he didn't hesitate from clasping her hands. "Listen to me. I know we have a lot to discuss, but I can't explain it all now. So let's stick to the facts. Jason needs you. I volunteered to come get you. Now I need you to come with me. To Montana.” He waited, as if gauging her reaction to the madness spilling from his mouth. Had he lost his mind or did he honestly think she'd buy this load of crap?
    “Is that where Jason is? In Montana? He's supposed to be in Germany." Jason wouldn't come back to the States. Not without contacting her. Granted they had busy lives, but it never stopped him from calling her before. Besides, he wouldn't send Ian here. Not without warning her first. But why would Jason stay in touch with him, knowing how much Ian had hurt her?
    "Why is he in Montana? And why are we driving? Isn't it faster to fly?"
    “ Jason was visiting Trent and me. As far as flying you'd have to ask your brother. He's the one who insisted we drive,” Ian replied.
    “I can't believe this,” she said, pulling her hands from his. How could she trust what he was saying? Even if it was true, the thought of spending time with him again made her stomach flip. They'd be in the car for hours, alone. Would probably have to spend the