Far From Home by Megan Nugen Isbell Read Free Book Online

Kramer’s old house.  The full moon overhead illuminated it in a way that made it look not as creepy as it had before.  It actually looked kind of peaceful sitting in front of the pond, the water shining in silvery ripples.  I eased the mule to a stop along the shore and turned off the ignition.
    “I thought this place gave you the creeps,” he said.
    “I guess I changed my mind.  We kinda had fun here last time,” I grinned, thinking back to our semi-skinny dipping session.
    “Yeah, that was fun,” Jesse said and I knew he was thinking of it as well.
    I got out and started walking towards the pond.  Jesse fell behind and I turned to see what he was doing.  He was smiling at me in a way that made me blush. 
    “Are you going to join me?” I asked and he just smiled wider.
    “I’m enjoying the view from back here.”
    I blushed and rolled my eyes, but giggled to myself and kept walking. I got to the dock and stopped at the edge, staring down at my shiny reflection in the water.  A moment later, I saw Jesse’s face in the pond as well and his hands slid around my waist, holding me close to him.  I rested my hands over his and we rocked gently for a moment. 
    “Thank you for tonight,” I said softly, and his hand brushed my thick hair away before I felt the warmth of his lips on my neck. “Thank you for everything.” He moved my hair again and kissed the other side.
    “You don’t need to thank me,” he said softly, taking my hand and gently urging me to sit down so our feet were dangling off the dock, just inches above the water.  We stared off into the blackness of the pond, the only sound being the orchestra of crickets around us. 
    “About tonight,” Jesse began, pulling my hand into his lap. “How are you doing?”
    “I’m fine.  Alex was just drunk and stupid,” I said, trying to shrug it off. 
    “I hated seeing his hands on you.”
    “Believe me, I wasn’t enjoying it either,” I said, trying to laugh, but it quickly faded as I realized it wasn’t funny and I shouldn’t be making light of how he’d treated me.  It grew quiet again and our feet began to sway above the water. “I wish I’d never met him,” I said quietly. “I wish I’d listened to you guys.”
    “You can’t change the past, Riley, so there’s no point in dwelling on it.”
    I sighed deeply, knowing he was right.  I wished he wasn’t though.  I wished I could change it all.
    “I…I um…” I stuttered, not knowing what I was trying to say.
    “What is it?” he prodded gently, turning to face me.  I knew I should be open with him.  No matter what I told Jesse, he always seemed to understand.
    “I hate that he’s the one I have that memory with.” My voice was low and I felt Jesse’s grip on my hand tighten and he pulled me closer. “I hate that he’s the only one I’ve shared that with,” I continued and then took a deep breath before going on, my voice trembling and hesitant. “I want to share that with you, Jesse.”
    I felt his body stiffen momentarily before he relaxed.  His hand cupped the back of my neck and his eyes darted quickly over my face before pulling me to him and kissing me tenderly. 
    “I don’t want to hurt you, Riley,” he said nervously.
    “I understand…I mean…if you don’t want to…” I stammered until he cut me off.
    “You’ve got it all wrong,” he interrupted quickly. “It’s not that I don’t want to.  I want to.  Believe me,” he said with quiet emphasis. “I want to… I just want to make sure you’re ready.”
    “I don’t want my only memory of that being with him.  I want to erase him.  I want to replace that memory with you because you’re the one I love and it should’ve been you in the first place,” I said quietly, looking away.  I felt Jesse’s hand under my chin, turning me back to him.
    “Are you sure you’re ready?” His gray eyes stared into mine and I nodded. “This is what you want?” he asked and again, I