Scattered Thoughts (Betrayed by Love Book 1) by HD Kelley Read Free Book Online Page B

the same high school and even the same college. It felt natural that she’d want to experience this with me too. And, boy, was it an experience. That night I felt music in a whole new way, far beyond the isolated upbringing of a rancher’s daughter. I was forever changed by the power, the emotion, the drama, the story without words.
    Before going away to college my cultural experiences had been shaped solely by the events I’d managed to convince Jack Jones, my overprotective father, to let me attend while he worked the livestock auction at the Colorado State Fair. Most kids couldn’t wait for the annual event, but I hated the fair. It was a  constant  reminder that a cattle ranch was merely a business, and the cows  I’d helped care for since their birth were our product, a product that would end up on dinner tables everywhere. The only thing that made it bearable was the hope of seeing a concert, a rodeo, an art show, or some hot new product exhibit. It had been my only window to the world for years.
    That trip to Miami was full of firsts for me. My first symphony, the first time I’d had sushi, the first time I’d ever been drunk. Not to mention the first and only time I ever kissed a girl. The three of us never talked about that night again. The details of the whole crazy weekend were still a blur really, except for that amazing concert that reached all the way to my soul.
    I shook my head. “Focus, Izzy,” I said out loud. I took a deep breath, closing my eyes once more, concentrating on smell this time. A shiver ran down my spine as I recalled the smell: cigarettes, alcohol, and something else, a familiar sweet smell. I opened my eyes and scribbled down what I’d managed to remember then quickly stuffed the notebook back in the drawer, relieved to be done with that brutal exercise.
    Every sore, aching muscle in my body objected as I climbed out of bed. I picked up the bottle of Advil and shook four pills into my palm this time. I popped them all in my mouth at the same time then took a long drink from the water bottle I’d brought upstairs with me last night.
    Gingerly, I made my way to the bathroom to take care of a pressing need. After my hands were dried, I brushed my teeth, pulled my hair into a ponytail, all the while doing my best to ignore the dark circles that had formed under my eyes from the severe lack of sleep.
    My body was too sore for a run this morning so I slipped on my robe and headed downstairs for some much needed coffee. Voices caught my attention as I neared the bottom of the stairs. Nervously, I wondered who it could be. Drew and Anna weren’t usually up this early and Spencer was in Chicago, wasn’t he? As I got closer to the kitchen I could clearly make out Anna’s voice, but the other one was still too faint. It sounded heavy, like a man’s voice.
    As soon I stepped into the kitchen I froze. Spencer. He wasn’t in Chicago. He was here. My body tensed as images from last night’s dream flashed through my mind.
    “It was just a bad dream,” I whispered, praying I was right. I wanted to ask Spencer when he’d gotten home but I was afraid I’d make a scene with the amount of adrenaline coursing through my veins.
    “Look who’s home,” Anna said, bringing my attention back to her. “He made my favorite breakfast too.”
    Anna threw her arms around Spencer’s neck and began a barrage of kisses on his cheek. He tickled her until she finally stopped. The two of them laughed hysterically as if sharing in some private joke, typical for them really. Anna and Spencer had shared a special connection from the moment he first held her. She’d always been daddy’s little princess, and he treated her like one too.
    I forced a smile in Anna’s direction as I tightened the sash on my robe, suddenly feeling underdressed in Spencer’s presence. When I looked up, I was relieved to find the two of them had returned to their conversation. I poured myself a cup of coffee and took a seat