The Light of Asteria Read Online Free PDF Page B

and needed a hammer.” I giggled; that made no
sense. Mr. Vernor knowingly smiled.
    “Take care of our girl, Gavin,” he said as he
chuckled up the steps. Crimson burned to my hairline; the door
closed above us.
    “What about dinner?”
    “I’m going to see Hol and Kate tonight. Can I
take a rain check?” The atmosphere in the room tensed.
    “When were you going?”
    “Right after work.”
    “Are you coming back tonight?” He picked up
the brown bag that held the hammer and nails. I searched his hard,
defensive face.
    “No. I planned on staying tonight and then
coming back early. I help teach first grade Sunday school … why?” I
asked, telling him way too much as my stomach was promptly tied in
a knot.
    “We’ll have to make it another time then.” He
avoided the question.
    The older man and woman suddenly were waiting
just outside the door.
    “Gavin, who are they?” I had answered a lot
of questions today. It just occurred to me I didn’t know very much
about him.
    “That is Elias … my brother, and his wife,
Elaine. They had some shopping to do in town.” That didn’t feel
right, but I let it go.
    “Are you sure your Jeep is going to make it?”
he asked. I walked him to the door.
    “I’m sure … well, I hope it does anyway.”
    Gavin stopped; his eyes found mine.
    “Be safe,” he softly commanded. My heart
flipped. He wanted me to be safe … that was sweet.
    He grinned again. “I’m sure we will be seeing
more of one another. Good day, Nora.” He walked out the front door
with Elias and Elaine falling in a few paces behind.
    I watched them until they slipped out of
sight and then went to give Ed a call. The rotary phone took
forever to dial.
    “Lo?” Edna’s voice was thick with sleep.
    “Hey, I wanted to let you know I worked late,
and I’m heading out. I’ll give you a call when I get there, and
I’ll pick you up in the morning.”
    “Be safe,” she said. My heart warmed
remembering the velvet voice that said it first.
    The drive seemed longer as I struggled with
doubt. I could have cancelled with Hol and Kate and gone with
Gavin. What if he didn’t come back? What if he thought I didn’t
want to go?
    I had to admit it … I needed a little room. I
was too open. Sharing the story of literally being dumped on Edna’s
porch left me vulnerable. Every time I talked with Gavin, my
feelings for him grew, and it scared me more than a little. I never
met anyone I wanted to date. Holly’s stunning beauty always
demanded center stage, which was how I liked it. She was my shield.
It was a great strategy and worked well … until now.
    I headed towards the direction of Hol’s dorm.
Walking quickly up the stairs, I snickered when I passed the slobs
door, which fortunately was closed.
    “Hey Noh.” Kate quietly sighed.
    “Hey Kate, where’s Hol?”
    “She went to party and wanted me to wait for
you. She wants us to join her …” Kate’s voice trailed away.
    “We don’t have to go if you don’t want to.”
It hadn’t occurred to me Hol wanted to go out and play the college
game. “Why don’t you text her and tell her we’ve decided to stay
in. I brought movies and pink pajamas.” I smiled, backpack in
tow.
    “That sounds great!” Kate sighed in relief as
she held open the door. Her fingers sped over the miniature
keyboard; a moment later the phone buzzed.
    “She called us wusses and said to go on
without her.” Kate’s shoulders tensed.
    “Is she alone?” I didn’t like her partying on
her own. She went without us at home, but this seemed different.
Still, it wasn’t our responsibility to be her sitter.
    “She’s with Bridget from a few doors down.
Hol promises to stay with her and use the buddy system.” Her voice
lowered as the phone buzzed once more. “Tell Granny Nora not to
worry so much.”
    “Does Bridget have her back?”
    “I think so …” She grimaced and flopped down
on her bed.
    “Okay … what’s wrong with this Bridget?”
    Kate’s voice