Out of the Shadows Read Online Free PDF Page A

purse off the purple
comforter on her bed and followed Sarah out of the room.
    Sarah’s long blonde hair was woven into a loose braid, her
yellow sundress flowing around her as they descended the wood stairs to the
front room.
    “Preston and I are going to see a
movie after dinner,” Sarah said.
    “You know you have school tomorrow, right?”
    Sarah was a straight A student and
had her head on straight. The high-school year would be over in a few weeks and
graduation was right around the corner. Still, as her guardian, Lark needed to
be semi-responsible. Their parents hadn’t been strict. There was no reason to
be; both girls were well-behaved and good students.
    Sarah rolled her eyes and smiled. “Yes, I’ll be home by
eleven.”
    Lark flicked off the lights, except for the overhead light
in the hall, before pulling the large oak door shut and locking it. “You and
Preston seem to be getting close.”
    “He told me he loved me,” she grinned, her azure eyes
lighting up.
    Lark smiled remembering the warm fuzzy feeling of first
love. She led the way down the brick walkway to her vehicle. “You two make a
cute couple.”
    “So what about you, Lark? When are you going to start dating
again? I can’t remember the last time you mentioned a guy? Let alone went on a
date.”
    They both climbed into the green
SUV. Lark started the car and backed out of the driveway, heading toward the
Harris’ ranch.
    “Well, with the bakery and everything there isn’t much time.”
It was the truth as much as an excuse.
    Sarah twisted in the tan leather seat to look at her. “I
heard Grant will be back over the summer. His mom stopped by the shop last
night when you were making a delivery. Made sure I knew to tell you that. He’ll
be home sometime this week.”
    “Grant and I are over. Even if he’s back for the summer
he’ll be going back to New York in the fall to finish his PhD.”
    It had been a simple break up, both
of them going in two different directions. The death of her parents had changed
her drastically. While Grant had wanted her to move to New York with him, she
couldn’t do that to Sarah. They’d just lost their parents and uprooting her
from their only home would have been disastrous.
    Sarah sighed, “I’m glad Preston and I are both going to
Angelo State College. I know high school romances aren’t supposed to work out, but
I think we have a real shot. You know I am capable of closing up the shop? You
should get out and have some fun every once in a while.”
    “I know Sarah, but you have school and homework. Maybe over
the summer you can close. Besides I’m hiring a few new people. Assuming their
interviews go well.” Lark cringed, realizing she sounded like an old biddy. It
was a hazard of being the sole caretaker to a teenager.
    Still, she hoped the interviews
went well. It would be nice to have some extra hands to help. A social life
would be even nicer. It had been a really long time since she’d been on a date.
    “I know you think you have to take care of me, Lark, but I
am eighteen now. I can help, you should let me. You’re too young to be working
yourself like this.”
    “Wow, you just grew up thirty years in a matter of seconds.”
    Of course, Sarah had a point. While
The Cookie Jar was part of what she wanted from life, there were other things. Romance,
love, and children to name a few. That wouldn’t happen if everything was work,
work, work.
    “I’m serious, Lark. You’ve done so much for me the past few
years and I appreciate it so much, but you have your life to live too. Please
don’t forget that,” Sarah said as their gazes met.
    “I won’t.”
    ***
    Devon made his way downstairs having showered and changed
after a brisk run in the woods. His stomach gurgled as Emily’s homemade
spaghetti sauce invaded his nostrils.
    Emily had volunteered to make dinner, quickly filling the
empty chef position at the ranch.
    Rick’s voice boomed, greeting Lark
as Gene’s said a quiet hello.