One Moment (The Little Hollow Series Book 1) Read Online Free PDF Page A

instinctively. “Stephanie!” he shouted even louder, clearing her throat she gave me a look that told me not to say anything before answering him.
    “Just in Connor’s room helping him pack darling.” She didn’t sound any louder than a little mouse. My step dad burst through the door with a scowl on his face and his rotund belly sticking out the bottom of his shirt.
    “Do you not think this little sissy is old enough to pack his own things, hmm?” Mom looked from me to him, nodded and kept her head down as she exited the room.
    He stood there staring at me but I refused to back down and remove my eyes from his lifeless gray ones. “Well? Get on with it then, the removals come at eight and I won’t be having you make me late boy.”
    He turned on his heel and I couldn’t help but notice that he was starting to go bald and a little snort escaped me. I immediately threw my hands over my mouth but it was too late. All I saw was him come flying at me and felt the weight of him pinning me to my bed in a matter of seconds.
    “Something funny, boy? Something to share with dear old dad?” All my bravado seeped out of my pores and I knew I had to say the right thing otherwise mom would try to come to my rescue and I couldn’t let that happen again, so I swallowed my pride.
    “No, Sir! I had a tickle in my throat!” He looked my face over with squinted eyes.
    “You’re lucky I’m in a good mood tonight, now get your shit packed!” he growled, giving me a small shake before pushing up off me and walking out of my room.
    As soon as he was gone, I buried my face in my hands and made a promise to myself. One of these days, I’d be bigger than him and it will be on that day that he’ll regret ever laying a finger on me and my mom!

Scenes of my childhood remained ingrained in my brain, I’d learnt to lock them away in the back of my mind from an early age.
    I just couldn’t take seeing my mom’s face, all beaten and bruised. Hearing her scream and the slew of insults we heard on a daily basis… they needed burying away. So that was what I did but it was times like this, when I was taking a trip into the past, that they came back full force.
    Pulling over into a gas station to stretch my legs, I almost forgot to indicate and nearly got run off the road, again. I leant my head against the steering wheel until I pulled myself together and climbed out of my truck.
    I had three hours to go until I reached the B&B and I needed to keep my wits about me, I couldn’t keep letting my mind wander. Grabbing a bottle of water, I paid and got back on the road.
    As I pulled into the parking lot of the B&B, I blew out a sigh of relief at not having to be cooped up in this truck any longer. It was a quaint little place but it suited me perfectly. I stayed here every year and I actually looked forward to seeing the old couple that ran it. They were always so nice and never asked any questions, better yet, they didn’t know who I was because I always used my best friend’s name. I didn’t want them to know who I really was in case they connected the dots.
    Walking into the building, the smell of freshly baked cakes hit me and I closed my eyes to take it all in.
    “Well, look who the cat dragged in, Mac Jennings! How are you, dear?” Mrs Holroyd greeted me with a sweet hug and I instantly felt at home.
    “Looking good, Mrs H. I’m doing just fine, thank you.” She walked behind the front desk and tried to give me a stern look.
    “Now, I told you to call me by my first name, you make me feel so old.” She huffed and looked down at the book that sat on top of the desk she used for check-in. “I kept your usual room free for you. If you need anything, don’t you hesitate to come ask me or Lyle, he’s just out the back trying to work out how to put up a deck. I swear that man wasn’t built for DIY.” She shook her head but her eyes were playful.
    I chuckled as she handed me the keys to my room and I climbed the rickety