Conflicting Hearts by J. D. Burrows Read Free Book Online Page B

bounce down the steps and
stop.
    “Where’s your car? I don’t see any duct tape.”
    He laughs. “Over there. It’s a rental.” He walks toward a
huge sport-utility vehicle.
    “Wow, your insurance sure put you up in a nice ride.”
    “Well, I’m paying extra. I was hoping we’d take this little
trip, so I wanted something enjoyable for the drive.”
    When he opens the door, the new car smell hits me in the
face, and the leather seats feel fantastic. I can do this, I tell
myself. He closes the door for me and climbs in on the other side. Over the
visor, he grabs a pair of expensive sunglasses and puts them on. The engine
starts up, and the next I know, we’re gliding down the street.
    “Nice,” I say, as I check out all the great gadgets on the
dashboard.
    “You get a rental too?” He turns his head and glances at me.
    “Yeah, Ford Focus. It’s okay. Sits kind of low to the
ground. I like being up high like this.”
    “My roadster sure hugs the road. This thing feels like a
truck to me, but it’s a nice rig.”
    I’m not very talkative as I struggle with my nerves that are
now raising their ugly heads. It’s one thing to think I can do something; it’s
another to sit next to a man like him and think I can pull it off. It’s obvious
that I’m in way over my head. He is quiet as well, as he heads east down the
freeway toward the gorge. It’s been so long since I’ve been there, I feel
excited to get back.
    “Are you taking the freeway all the way to the falls, or the
scenic route?” My question hopes to influence his decision.
    “Which do you prefer, scenic or freeway? Either way is okay
with me.”
    “It would be really nice if we could do the scenic. I hope
you don’t mind,” I meekly ask, hoping he’ll agree.
    “No, absolutely not. Whatever you’d like.”
    He’s being very agreeable, and I’m glad. A few minutes
later, Ian approaches the exit across the Sandy River. I’m surprised he knows
exactly which route to take. It’s exciting to be back on the old scenic
highway. I can’t wait to reach Crown Point and see the view.
    “How long has it been since you been out this way?” He turns
his head and gives me a quick glance.
    My excitement must be filling the vehicle. “Oh, probably a
few years. I used to drive out here once in a while by myself, but then I
eventually stopped coming when I moved over on the west side of town. Hate
doing things alone.”
    “Yeah, I know what you mean.”
    Purposely I turn and look at him, because he’s gone quiet on
me again. He seems to be thinking about something. For some odd reason, I
wonder if it’s his ex-wife, but it’s too early to bring up the subject, so I
let it pass.
    The road twists and turns back and forth and through a
couple of small bergs. Then he starts the winding descent down the narrow two-lane
highway that hugs the cliff. The SUV seems frightfully large in the tiny lane.
The road has been paved over several times, because the asphalt buckles and
cracks like it’s going to give way down the cliff one of these days. Ian takes
it slow, and then pulls into to a parking space when we reach the visitor
center.
    “Let’s get out and let the wind blow in our hair for a
minute.”
    I can feel the wind buffeting the car. God I love it here.
The sky is clear, the Columbia River is blue with whitecaps, and the air is
fresh and clean. Now that I’m used to it, I wait for him to open my door, and I
jump out.
    “Thanks.” I flash him a nervous smile. Surprisingly, he
grabs my hand.
    “I better hang onto you so you don’t blow away.”
    The warmth of his palm against mine feels heavenly. The
winds must be at least forty miles per hour. As we walk into it, loose clothing
snaps back and forth on our body. I pull down my baseball cap tight, so it
doesn’t go flying off. His hair is blowing in every direction, and I notice how
thick it is. He takes me over to the side of the stone barrier, and we stop and
look out over the river. Ian lets