The Dreamstalker Read Online Free PDF Page B

Jesse. She loved being with him. She had never had a “boyfriend,” for lack of a better word. When Jesse came along, she realized that she’d never wanted one before. She’d never thought she could love anyone as much as she loved Kerr. And while loving Jesse was different, of course, now she did. They’d met in the summer while she was lifeguarding at the pool. They’d arranged all their classes together this fall, spent all their free hours together. Karen hated the time he spent at football practice, but she loved watching him perform on the field. He was the best quarterback Evergreen had ever had, and scouts were starting to haunt the Friday night games. She didn’t want to think about where he might end up in college. She had no idea what she was going to do next fall—go to CU, she guessed, since it was nearby.
    Putting the future aside, she concentrated on their being close now. They had made several circles of the lake when she sensed someone coming up on her right.
    â€œCut,” Kerr shouted. His blades scraped the ice as he took Karen’s right arm and pulled her away from Jesse. “My turn, old man.”
    â€œKerr—” Karen started to protest.
    â€œIt’s all right, Karen.” Jesse turned loose of her hand and stopped, dead still on the ice, ignoring people who had to dodge him.
    Swinging around, Kerr grabbed her hands, partner style, without missing a stroke. “Kerr,” she protested, “I wanted to skate with Jesse. Why don’t you skate with Alysia?”
    â€œShe’s not as good a skater as you are. I want to skate with you.”
    Dusk was falling, and lights had come on around the lake. Karen didn’t have to look at Kerr to know his perfect teeth were shining in a big grin. She looked instead at the soft halos around the lights, the huge soft flakes drifting down, lighting on her nose, her warm cheeks. So romantic …
    Moving gracefully around the lake, matching strokes with Kerr, she spoke. “You’re jealous, aren’t you, Kerr? You’re jealous! For God’s sake, I’m your sister.”
    â€œI guess God did plan it that way, but I think it was for Mom’s sake. Maybe he knew Dad would get tired of her and she’d need us for company.”
    â€œKerr, stop criticizing Dad. And you’re not listening to me. I said I wanted to skate with Jesse.”
    Kerr tightened his hands around hers. “And I said I wanted you to skate with me.”
    There was no getting away from him without making a scene. Karen hated that. She wouldn’t do it. But she’d been going with Jesse for months. Why was Kerr doing this now? Why had he gotten so possessive? And what could she do about it?

Chapter 5
    â€œYour brother is the best-looking guy I’ve ever known,” Lucy whispered to Karen when they were at the video store. Lucy realized that Jesse was standing right next to Karen. “Oops, Jesse, sorry, but he is.” Lucy grinned.
    â€œThat’s okay, Lucy.” Jesse tightened his hold on Karen’s arm. “We can’t all be movie star hunks. Some of us settle for being strong and athletic.”
    Karen tried to hold in her grin, but Jesse saw it. “What are you laughing about? Don’t you agree?”
    â€œOf course. And I guess I have to laugh about Kerr being so impossible. Otherwise, I’d kill him. Next thing you know, he’ll have to approve of the guys I go out with.”
    â€œI’ll get in my resume tomorrow.” Jesse didn’t laugh at Karen’s remark. She knew it was too close to the truth.
    â€œHey look, guys, this is perfect. Have you all seen it?” Kaziah had one arm draped around Easy’s shoulders, and her free hand held a colorful video box. “It goes right along with our class work.”
    Groans went up from eight onlookers. “Can’t you forget about school, Kaziah? It’s the weekend.” Bill