The Journey Read Online Free PDF Page A

heard the bell chime from the other register my boss was now working, I jumped a little. The boy smiled again.
    Oh dear lord… why does he have to keep doing that?
    He tapped the card on the counter, breaking the spell. “I sure will.” He smiled again . “See ya next week, Doug.”
    I watched him get in his truck and drive off before I ever finished the transaction. I looked down at the black signature.
    Drella Walker.
    I couldn’t help but smile as I closed the cash drawer. When I turned around, I almost bumped into my boss.
    “Umm hmm.”
    “What?”
    “Don’t you what me, little girl. I saw the way you two were making eyes at each other. I almost asked you if you needed a little time alone.”
    “Pfft. Now you’re just being ridiculous.”
    “Am I? So the whole giggling and blushing and drooling… I just imagined all that, huh?”
    “Well if you heard me giggling, then it must have been your imagination.”
    “I reckon I know what I heard, and I heard you giggle. In fact, I believe that’s the first time I ever have.”
    I only rolled my eyes and went back to work while he kept teasing me.
    I lived on campus during my college career, but I normally went back home to Big Ridge every Friday after class. Then I had to be back in Harrogate midday on Sundays to go to work.
    That next Sunday afternoon I looked up when the door chimed to see that same gorgeous young man coming up to the register, all smiles.
    I was ready this time. I didn’t bat a lash at the lady’s name on the credit card. And when I slid the receipt over for him to sign, I said Drella Walker , before I even realized what I was doing.
    He froze, pen pressed against the paper but not moving. Again, we just stared at each other. After several long heartbeats, he signed his name without even looking down. I tore off his copy and handed it back without ever breaking eye contact.
    “What’s your name?”
    I heard his question, yeah, but for the life of me… my mouth wouldn’t work. He waited a couple of seconds then flashed that gorgeous smile of his.
    “Maybe I’ll find out next week,” he said, before turning to go. “See ya then, Ladybug.”
    I watched him leave—butterflies coming all the way up in my throat, my heart racing so loudly it was drumming in my ears.
    “Why didn’t you tell him?”
    I heard my boss’s deep voice right behind me, but I was too busy watching the man of my dreams walk across the parking lot.
    “Tell him what?” I absently mumbled.
    “Snap out of it, Blondie. That boy stood right there and asked you for your name.”
    “He did?” I still wasn’t really paying attention.
    “He’s leaving.”
    I finally turned around and looked at Doug, my eyes growing wide with panic.
    “He’s almost at his truck. If you’re gonna do it, you’d better hurry.”
    I was around that counter and out the door before I even knew what I was going to do, going to say.
    “Hey,” I yelled, louder than I meant to.
    When Drella turned around and saw me standing there on the sidewalk, his heavenly eyes went wide for a split second. Then he smiled, and I melted again.
    Oh crap. Oh crap. Oh crap.
    He headed back towards me, but my feet were frozen in place.
    “Hey, yourself.” He reached out and barely tugged on the knot I had tied around my waist. “Nice apron.”
    “Th-thanks.”
    He chuckled. “What did you want to tell me, Ladybug?”
    I didn’t answer. I couldn’t speak.
    “Well, that’s alright. I’m perfectly happy just standing here looking at you.” He smiled again. “I didn’t realize just how short you are.” He winked. “I like that.”
    I smiled then, and released the breath I didn’t even realize I’d been holding. “Yeah, I guess it’s kinda hard to tell—with me looking down at you from the register. I like it, too.”
    “What?” He chuckled. “Being short?”
    I blushed.
    He smiled again. “I think you are perfect-sized.”
    You are, too. I thought it, but I didn’t say it.
    “Is that