Purling Road - the Complete Second Season: Episodes 1-10 Read Online Free PDF Page A

cigarette.
    “Oh, I’m… sorry.” What does one say to someone who looked very close to their breaking point while revealing troubles on the home front?
    “David helped me convince him to build a small house on the other side of the barn. We’re going to move her there,” she said flatly, her eyes wandering around Ava’s clean house. Arianna was envious. Her house was no pigsty, but she found it difficult to keep after it properly under the circumstances.
    “Oh, maybe Aryl and I can help with that?” Jonathan offered. He sat down, hoping she would, too. She looked like a cat ready to pounce. Instead, she started pacing.
    Ava hurried downstairs, her low heels clicking on each step. She smiled, somewhat shy when Jonathan saw her. She never had an occasion to get dressed up like this anymore, and the sight in the mirror took her by surprise. It apparently had the same effect on him.
    Jonathan wasn’t entirely comfortable with Ava heading out into the night in a white dress that accentuated her hips, even if it was sleeved and high cut. He could see it was fun for her to get dolled up and knew she needed to take the time for herself and be with her friends. He restrained the protective husband in him that wanted to throw a large wool coat around her shoulders and tie the waistband tight. Yes, men would look at her. That didn’t mean she’d look back. Men might even try to talk to her and that sent Jonathan’s blood pressure too high to think about it. He’d just leave it at they might look.
    “Where are you girls going tonight?” he asked.
    “Why must men be so concerned about the details ?” Arianna asked with a little too much enthusiasm for a sane person. “We are three beautiful ladies, desperate for some time away. We’ll go wherever the night takes us.”
    “Well, if you go to Boston to see a show, be careful. Don’t pick up anyone needing a lift along the way.”
    “We won’t,” Ava said, kissed him and they were off.
     
    Claire was waiting not only outside, but by the road. Arianna hardly had to stop Caleb’s truck and she was pushing Ava to the center and slamming the door.
    “And to think you weren’t keen on this idea at first,” Arianna said with a smirk as she started driving.
    “Well, I’m keen on it now. I just hope Aryl will be all right with Jac tonight.”
    Arianna let the truck swerve into the other lane as she struck a match and lit a cigarette. “He’ll figure it out,” she said and held the case out to them.
    “You’re right,” Claire said, plucking a cigarette. “He’ll figure it out.”
     
    ***
     
    They turned onto an unpaved road. There was no moonlight. It was narrow, with not enough room for another car to pass, much less turn around.
    “I imagined it to be closer to town,” Claire said, eying the dark treed wilderness outside the window.
    “Well, if you’re going to run a hooch house, you don't want to be neighbors with the sheriff. It’s better to be out here in the middle of nowhere.”
    Claire let out a sharp, sudden scream, and Arianna slammed on the brakes as two men stepped out into the road before the truck.
    Ava squeezed her eyes shut.
    “Go! Go! Go! Arianna!”
    “Go where? Run them over? They’re just checking to make sure we’re not the police. Calm down, both of you.” She rolled her eyes at her friends and then rolled her window down.
    The burly man, who would have been attractive without the old scars of acne in his youth and presumably a knife scar on his cheek, looked at each woman in turn. The corner of his mouth hitched.
    “You ladies looking for anything in particular out here on this dark and lonely road?”
    “A drink,” Arianna said. “Preferably…” Her eyes flickered to his bicep. “A strong one. We heard this was the best place for miles.”
    He nodded, stood back, and craned his neck to see into the small bed of the truck. Then he swept out a hand. “Have a good time, ladies.”
    Arianna began driving again and Ava