Finding Haven by T.A. Foster Read Free Book Online Page A

but Evan didn’t care. The headache hurt like hell, but it was worth it. When
     was the last time he had listened to the music he wanted, drank what he wanted, ate
     what he wanted, and built as big of a fire as he wanted? The higher the flames, the
     colder the beer, the more he forgot.
    He flipped open the mini-fridge. It reached the top of his waist, but had plenty of
     room for the summer bachelor. A smile spread across his face. There was one more cold
     beer with his name on it. He twisted off the top and chugged a few swallows.
    The empty bottle landed in the trash can. He realized he had now spent his second
     night on the island in a less than comfortable sleeping position. The bed tucked at
     the rear of the trailer looked softer than a pile of feathers. He stripped his T-shirt
     from his frame, and threw himself chest down on the red and white checked quilt. Sleep—he
     needed more sleep. Within minutes, Silver Belle was filled with the sounds of a snoring
     movie star.
     
    “M AMA, I’ M fine.” Evan tried to soothe his worried mother. “I needed a break from work, that’s
     all.”
    “Darlin’, if you’re in some kind of trouble, then just come on home.”
    “I’m not in trouble. Everything is perfectly ok. It’s called a vacation.” The last
     time his mother sounded this worried was when he got caught skipping school. His parents
     had grounded him for a month after that.
    “Evan, I don’t like to get involved with your Hollywood stuff.” He smiled. That’s
     how she always referred to his work. “But, I want to help you. Why don’t you come
     home and rest here? I can make all your favorites.”
    “As tempting as that is, I don’t need mac and cheese right now as much as I need to
     clear my head.” He could picture her, hair pulled back in a clip sitting in front
     of the bay window with a cup of coffee in her hand and a frown on her face.
    “It’s that girl, isn’t it? That’s what this is all about.” Her tone was sharp. “You
     know I don’t like to read those magazines, but her face was all over the stands at
     the checkout at the supermarket.”
    Evan thought about how to answer that question. Of course Emmy was part of this, but
     not in the way his mother thought. It wasn’t heartbreak. It was humiliation and disappointment.
     One more failed relationship to add to a growing list for the world to tally up for
     him one neon headline at a time.
    “Emmy’s moved on. I’ve moved on. I don’t really want to go into it right now.” The
     pictures of Emmy looking adoringly into some other guy’s eyes were still fresh. At
     least last night, with the help of some cold beer, he had forgotten about them.
    “Ok, let’s talk about something else, then. Where are you? Is it nice?” Her east Texas
     accent accentuated the vowels in each of her words.
    He gazed out the window as a pelican skimmed across the water. “Yep. It’s beautiful.
     You would like it.” He wondered if the set of pirates would be back later today to
     attack the sand dunes. He knew his mom would get a kick out of them. She frequently
     referred to her future grandchildren, but always followed it up with “no pressure
     here.” At twenty-eight he was in no rush to start a family.
    “I bet I would. I’ve been trying to get your father to take me on a trip for months
     now, but he won’t leave. He says there’s no point in getting out of Texas. For once,
     I’d just like to take a vacation with him.”
    Evan had invited his parents to his first awards show in Hollywood when his career
     began to skyrocket, but his mother wouldn’t travel without his father and his father
     wouldn’t leave Texas.
    “Mama, why don’t you take a trip without him? Do something for yourself. I can arrange
     it for you.” He had offered on several occasions. He knew what her answer would be
     before the words were out of her mouth.
    “You know I can’t do that.”
    “I know, I know.” He shook his head. “All