The Lost and Found Read Online Free PDF Page A

toward the back of the ranch, where I could see the pond.
    Occasionally in my pacing I’d catch a glimpse of Ginger as he moved around the ranch, working with a horse, talking to Ethan, moving hay. Once or twice he’d glance toward my window.
    That was how I spent the first four days here at Lost and Found. I’d sneak out for something to eat or drink, but otherwise I’d avoided leaving my room, avoided contact with those living here — avoided him . I hated my self-imposed cage, but it was necessary. I didn’t want to deal with Billy right now; he just wanted to talk about the past. Ethan just wanted to talk about Billy.
    I did finally catch Ginger’s name — Josiah, not Bentley like I’d assumed. I’d heard some of the boys talking to him one morning as I eavesdropped from the safety of my window above them. It was Kelly who identified him, called his name. I thought Josiah suited him so much better than Ginger had. Josiah was tougher. Stronger.
    I avoided him the most. He bothered me. Always looking at me, watching me. His constant attention got under my skin, sparking things I’d prefer were left dormant. I’d yet to see any sign of Bentley and wondered what his story was and when he’d make an appearance.
    When Ethan and I had been packing our things back home in Virginia, I’d come across an unopened bottle of Vodka and a bottle of red wine in the back of the pantry. In a spur-of-the-moment decision, I’d secretly packed them carefully with my things that were being shipped to Idaho. My second night here, I’d opened one — the Vodka. My tongue had swirled the clear liquid in my mouth, feeling its smooth texture, savoring it. I didn’t have a cup, so I drank straight from the bottle, tipping it back about three times before I began to feel its effects. It was my first taste of hard liquor; though it had a gentle bite, I found it gave me a blessedly numb feeling that allowed me to sleep.
    For the last couple of days I’d been considering sneaking out at night to see how deep that pond was — I missed the water, missed swimming. It was one thing to briefly sneak out of my room for food or drink, knowing I could quickly retreat back to my private haven. Attempting to reach the pond without being seen, and subsequently be engaged in some sort of unwanted conversation however, just seemed far too risky to me. I needed to do something. Continuing to drink away my fears and pain was not healthy, but I didn’t feel like I had any other options. I took special care though to make sure I didn’t smell of alcohol when I left my room, but I was always on edge, worried that someone might pick up on it.
    Once or twice I’d done crunches and pushups, trying to work myself into an exhausted state like I used to get from swimming, but it wasn’t the same thing, not at all. This morning I hoped that after the boys left for school Josiah might take himself off somewhere else and I’d be able to make my escape, at least for an hour or so. If I didn’t get out and do something, work off some of this nervous energy, I’d drink the entire bottle dry and maybe open the other one as well So far I’d kept my consumption to just a couple sips per night, but the temptation for more was growing.
    As I stood at the window and watched the boys finish up chores before leaving for school, I heard steps outside my bedroom door. Tensing, I waited for whomever it was to knock, or call out to me, prepared to rebuff them, yet again.
    The person didn’t knock. No, he just opened the door and walked right in.
    My head whipped around in anger. How dare he just come right in! Furious words died on my lips as my mind began to fully process the sight before me. Josiah had a commanding presence that I recognized and resented. I also noted he was tall, taller than Billy, taller than I’d remembered. And quite muscular. His skin was tanned, darker than I’d ever seen on a ginger. Above his vivid blue eyes sat thick brows — the right