Dear John by Nicholas Sparks Read Free Book Online Page B

life. Maybe open a riding camp for autistic kids, where we can really work with them. So maybe they can feel that same happiness that Alan did.”
    She put down her fork as if embarrassed, then set her plate off to the side.
    “That sounds wonderful.”
    “We’ll see if it happens,” she said, sitting up again. “It’s just a dream for now.”
    “I take it you like horses, too?”
    “All girls love horses. Don’t you know that? But yes, I do. I have an Arabian named Midas, and it kills me sometimes that I’m here when I could be off riding him.”
    “The truth comes out.”
    “As it should. But I’m still planning to stay here. I’ll ride all day, every day, when I get back. Do you ride?”
    “I did once.”
    “Did you like it?”
    “I was sore the next day. It hurt to walk.”
    She giggled, and I realized I liked talking to her. It was easy and natural, unlike with so many people. Above me, I could see Orion’s belt; just over the horizon on the water, Venus had appeared and glowed a heavy white. Guys and girls continued to tramp up and down the stairs, flirting with booze-induced courage. I sighed.
    “I should probably get going so I can visit with my dad for a while. He’s probably wondering where I am. If he’s still awake, that is.”
    “Do you want to call him? You can use the phone.”
    “No, I think I’ll just head out. It’s a long walk.”
    “You don’t have a car?”
    “No. I hitched a ride this morning.”
    “Do you want Tim to drive you home? I’m sure he won’t mind.”
    “No, that’s okay.”
    “Don’t be ridiculous. You said it was a long walk, right? I’ll have Tim drive you. Let me get him.”
    She raced off before I could stop her, and a minute later Tim was following her out of the house. “Tim is happy to take you,” she said, looking way too pleased with herself.
    I turned toward Tim. “You sure?”
    “No problem at all,” he assured me. “My truck’s out front. You can just put your board in the back.” He motioned to the board. “Need a hand?”
    “No,” I said, rising, “I got it.” I went to the chair and slipped on my shirt, then picked up my board. “Thanks, by the way.”
    “My pleasure,” he said. He patted his pocket. “I’ll be back in a second with the keys. It’s the green truck parked on the grass. I’ll meet you out front.”
    When he was gone, I turned back to Savannah. “It was nice meeting you.”
    She held my gaze. “You too. I’ve never hung out with a soldier before. I felt sort of . . . protected. I don’t think Randy’ll give me any trouble tonight. Your tattoos probably scared him away.”
    I guess she had noticed them. “Maybe I’ll see you around.”
    “You know where I’ll be.”
    I wasn’t sure whether that meant she wanted me to come visit again or didn’t. In many ways, she remained a complete mystery to me. Then again, I barely knew her at all.
    “But I am a little disappointed that you forgot,” she added, almost as an afterthought.
    “Forgot what?”
    “Didn’t you say that you’d teach me how to surf?”
    If Tim had any inkling of the effect Savannah had on me or that I’d be visiting again the next day, he gave no indication. Instead he focused mainly on the drive, making sure he was heading in the right direction. He was the kind of driver who stopped the car even when the light was yellow and he could have sailed through.
    “I hope you had a good time,” he said. “I know it’s always strange when you don’t know anyone.”
    “I did.”
    “You and Savannah really hit it off. She’s something, isn’t she? I think she liked you.”
    “We had a nice conversation,” I said.
    “I’m glad. I was a little worried about her coming down here. Last year her parents were with us, so this is the first time she’s been on her own like this. I know she’s a big girl, but these aren’t the kind of people she usually hangs out with, and the last thing I wanted was for her to be fending off guys