Jailbird by Heather Huffman Read Free Book Online Page B

her.
“Sometimes the sisters God sends us throughout life are better than
the ones we’re born with.”
    “Sometimes,” she seemed hesitant. “Do you
want breakfast?”
    “Breakfast? Shoot. No. I’m supposed to be at
Charlie’s. He’ll think I’m ditching him if I don’t hurry.”
    “Will you be back for dinner tonight?”
    “Promise,” I couldn’t tell her no. The look
on her face was too much to resist.
    I grabbed a quick shower and changed into the
cotton dress. I really did need at least one more outfit. First
batch of jelly sold, I was buying some clothes.
    Charlie was waiting for me, my coffee poured
just the way I like it. Beside it was a plate with bacon, eggs and
grits. My mouth watered at the sight.
    “Oh you are my hero,” I slid into my seat and
patiently waited for him to say grace.
    “So this is what it takes?” he teased after
offering a word of thanks for the meal.
    “It’s a good start,” I closed my eyes to
savor that first bite. After ten years of prison fare and more than
a month of scrounging the forest for edible roots and mushrooms,
food had never tasted so good.
    “Okay, so I should feed you well. I shouldn’t
touch your neck. Any other tips?”
    “So we’re going there first thing, huh?” I
gave him a dirty look. “How about ‘don’t ask too many questions?’
Can we make that a rule?”
    “See, now it’s things like that—and being
afraid to face a game warden—that make me wonder what you’re
running from.”
    “Something that would hurt me very badly if
it found me,” I answered as honestly as I knew how. Going back to
prison now would probably kill me.
    “Okay,” he seemed to be processing that.
    “About last night…” I hated to sully a good
breakfast with bad conversation, but he seemed determined. “I uh…
well… the last time I was alone with a man it wasn’t exactly
consensual.”
    “Oh.”
    “I mean, I think he would have killed me if
I’d let him. I know he would have,” I took a jagged breath and
tried to still my shaking hands. It was amazing how fear could
bridge such a span of time. The emotions were still really fresh
when I talked about it. Maybe because it was the first time I had
talked about it since the trial.
    And that hadn’t gone particularly well for
me.
    “I don’t know what to say,” he shook his
head. The tormented look in his eyes was almost too much to
bear.
    “There’s nothing to say,” I pushed my eggs
around my plate. Next thing I knew, I’d been swept into a fierce
hug. I was a little startled at first. It wasn’t quite the reaction
I was expecting. But I quickly realized it was the reaction I
needed. I found myself wrapping my arms around his waist and
hugging him back. It felt good, and so very safe.
    I burrowed my face into his shoulder and just
soaked in the moment.
    “Sorry,” he seemed suddenly self conscious.
“I couldn’t seem to help myself.”
    “It’s okay,” I sat back down a little
awkwardly. “It was… nice.”
    “Good.”
    “Okay,” I nervously went back to the
eggs.
    “So what’s on the agenda for today?”
    “Dandelions?”
    “Wonderful.”
    “Hey Charlie?”
    He paused mid-bite and looked expectantly at
me.
    “I’m no good for you. I should walk away from
this. You should run.”
    “Is that what you want?”
    “Not at all,” my eyes tried to convey all of
the emotions tumbling around inside.
    “Me either.”
    “But there are some things I’m just not ready
to tell you.”
    “I want you to tell me, but I’m willing to
wait until you’re ready. I don’t think you’re out to hurt me, or
Cara. We’ll just feel our way along for the rest.”
    “Are you sure?”
    “No. But I am sure I want to be with you
every waking moment. We’ll see where it takes us.”
    I nodded, then turned my attention to the
last piece of bacon. If for no other reason than his ability to
make breakfast, he was worth taking the chance on.
    “I have a couple of appointments I couldn’t
get