Finding Home by Megan Nugen Isbell Read Free Book Online Page A

my hands.
    “I’m just thinking that tonight should be interesting.”
    “How so?”
    “Jesse and Riley.”
    “They’ll be fine.  It was three years ago.  I’m sure they’re both over it by now,” I said and Brandon just snickered.
    “It must be nice to live in your world of oblivion, Mandy,” he said and I just glared at him.
    “Thanks for the insult,” I said, turning and continuing on cutting the tomato for the burgers.
    “No problem,” he grinned back.
    “And I don’t live in a world of oblivion.”
    “Yes, you do.  I’d love to look inside your brain.  I’m sure it’s all rainbows and unicorns where everything’s perfect.”
    “What is your problem?  Why are you being such a jerk?”
    “I’m not.  I just wish I had your positivity.  Nothing ever seems to get to you.”
    “You obviously don’t know me very well.”
    “I know you better than you think I do.”
    “Whatever,” I said, glaring over to him. “Would you grab that plate over there?  We need to go say hi.”
    “Yes, ma’am,” Brandon said and I just rolled my eyes at him as we made our way outside. 
     
    ~~~
     
    Brandon was right.  It was an interesting night.  I tried to act as if nothing was different, but it was different.  As we talked, I watched Jesse and Riley.  They probably weren’t aware of the fact they kept glancing at each other.  Jesse was the worst offender.  His eyes were constantly on Riley when she wasn’t looking.  I thought it was sweet, but it made me sad too.  When they finally got together, they were one of those super couples like Romeo and Juliet or Tristan and Isolde.  They were Riley and Jesse.  They were perfect and they were going to be together for the rest of their perfect lives with their perfect children.  When they broke up, it basically destroyed my faith in true love.  If Riley and Jesse couldn’t make it, there was no hope for any of us. 
    I tried keeping the conversation comfortable, which wasn’t easy, especially when Holly continued to grill Jesse on why he’d left.  It was making everyone uncomfortable and I was glad when Jesse suggested he bring out the four-wheelers. 
    I climbed on the back of one with Jesse, wrapping my arms around him.  As we flew down the dirt road, the thunderous engine drowning everything else out, it felt like old times, even though most of the evening had been tense, and I felt myself smiling as Jesse continued down the road, eventually stopping at a pond a couple of miles from his house. 
    “What is this place?” I asked, looking around.  The pond was nice.  Serene and tranquil, but then I looked over at the little white house nearby.  It looked like it was about to cave in, with peeling paint and broken windows.
    “Just an old neighbor’s house.  Mrs. Kramer.”
    “It looks like no one’s lived here in forever.”
    “It’s been a long time.”
    “How come we’ve never come out here before?”
    “I didn’t want to scare you,” Jesse said and I didn’t like the way his eyebrows creased as his gaze drifted toward the house.
    “Why would I be scared?”
    “Well…” Jesse began and I could hear the hesitation in his voice.
    “What is it, Jesse?” I insisted.
    “Well…it’s thought that Mrs. Kramer was murdered.”
    “What?” I gasped. “I’ve lived in Carver my whole life.  How come I’ve never heard of this?”
    “Because,” he said, his voice suddenly dropping. “The cops knew it’d cause a huge panic.  They think it was devil worshipers or some kind of cult.  I only know because my dad came down here to check out what was going on when he saw the cops drive by to come investigate.”
    “You’re such a liar,” I said, but Jesse didn’t crack a smile.
    “I’m not lying, Mandy.  There’s still a pentagram  inside,” he said and I felt the hairs on the back of my neck standing up. “Wanna see it?”
    I turned my head slowly in the direction of the old house, suddenly intrigued.  I