The Finding Read Online Free PDF Page B

as possible, the slight sound
of the lock snicking into place making him wince. Standing in the
entryway, he listened carefully, and gave a slow sigh of relief
when, hearing nothing but silence, he realized Sandy must still be
sleeping. There was still an hour left before her alarm was due to
go off, but sometimes she was up before then and he really didn’t
feel like he could face her just yet.
    He placed his
jacket on the hook by the door, and took off his shoes before
padding into the kitchen in search of some water and pain killers.
His head was throbbing and his body felt worn out, no doubt
let-down from the adrenaline rush he’d been on for most of the
night. A small smile graced his face as he relived the excitement
of the winning streak he’d been on recently. Up twenty thousand
dollars, he’d been hard pressed to contain his excitement believing
his mother-load was finally coming in. Of course, lady luck was as
fickle as ever. Just when it seemed he couldn’t lose, his good
fortune turned and despite his best efforts, he ended up deeper in
debt.
    Rubbing his
hand over his face, he wondered if he really was recalling events
clearly. Greg had found a new group to play with and the stakes had
been higher than normal. Scott, one of Greg’s friends, had a
liberal hand when it came to mixing drinks; and the women... God,
he couldn’t believe the women that had been there. Gorgeous, miles
of legs and scantily clad, they’d fawned all over him when he was
winning. Even after the tide had turned, they’d been there;
encouraging him, sharing his frustration over his losing streak,
consoling him...
    His smile faded
as he contemplated his losses. Surely there hadn’t been as many
zeros after the numbers as he’d thought he’d seen. There was no way
he owed fifty thousand. Fumbling in his pocket, he pulled out the
note that Scott had given him. Shit! It really was that much. He
crumpled the paper in his hand and tried to think through the
pounding in his head.
    Kellen knew his
bank balance hovered around the hundred dollar mark; he’d withdrawn
most of his savings to get into the game, so there was no way he
could pay off the debt that way. He swallowed nervously. Maybe
Sandy...?
    He looked
hopefully towards the hallway that led to the bedrooms and it was
then that he noticed the kitchen table. A wilted bouquet and two
candles graced the centre while a lone place setting, complete with
wine glass and a starched white napkin sat at his usual spot.
    A sick feeling
rose in his stomach that had nothing to do with the alcohol he’d
consumed or the money he owed. Sandy only set a fancy table for
special occasions but what...? He quickly turned and stared at the
calendar, groaning when he noticed the date.
    Damn! She’d
circled it in red and had been chattering away about it all week;
it was their three year anniversary. How could he forget? Thinking
back, he recalled the argument they’d had before he left, only now
remembering the hurt evident in her eyes. She hadn’t said anything,
never specifically hinting it was a special day, but... Damn! He
ran his hands through his hair and cursed himself for forgetting,
for not paying closer attention.
    The sound of a
door opening made him look towards the hallway. Before Sandy saw
what he was holding, he shoved the promissory note in his pocket.
Now was not the time to ask her for money. Pushing off from the
counter he’d been leaning on, he straightened his shirt and stepped
forward just as she appeared in the doorway.
    Long dark hair,
rumpled from sleep, fell around her face and her green eyes still
had the adorable, vaguely unfocussed look of morning that he so
dearly loved.
    “Kellen?” Her
voice was husky with sleep as she furrowed her brow at him.
    “Morning.” He
wrapped his arms around her and pressed a light kiss to the top of
her head.
    She brought her
hands to his chest and pushed away, her nose wrinkled, probably
catching a whiff of the alcohol on his breath.