Signed and Sealed by B.A. Stretke Read Free Book Online Page B

“Why is it that he can make me feel like this, stirring up emotions and needs that I don’t have time for right now?” he said out loud. It was probably the stress and uncertainty of the entire situation that had him so off balance. Will needed to get his bearings and figure out what Elijah really wanted. Eli is keeping me here for a reason other than collateral. What sort of satisfaction is he after and what part will I play in his quest for such?  

    Will was suddenly jolted out of his considerations by the telephone ringing. He had a telephone in his bedroom and was duly impressed. Will recognized Katrina’s whiny tone instantly.

    “I’m sorry, Will,” Katrina began and then sobbed. “I didn’t know what to do. He was letting me go, but I had to leave before you arrived.”

    “That’s not what he told me. He said it was your choice to leave before I got here. I would like to have spoken with you before you hung me out to dry.” Will was sharp and impatient.

    “I was afraid he might change his mind if I took too long.” Katrina’s explanation was feeble. “I knew you would do this for me. It’s just until the thirty-first. He really wants you there.” She was rambling, trying to come up with something that Will would accept. “The exchange was his idea. He spoke with you on the phone, and then I told him about you, and then he demanded that I get you to Montana.”

    “Why didn’t you warn me that I was going to be a prisoner here?” Will was barely holding his temper.

    “I didn’t know that part. I didn’t know he was going to keep you and let me go until today.” She sounded sincere, but Katrina was an impeccable liar. Will remained doubtful of her ignorance.

    “He came back to the ranch after helping you change your tire, and he told me to leave.” Katrina’s voice picked up a high pitch that she used when she thought she wasn’t being believed. “I’m telling you the truth. You can ask him yourself.”

    “What are your plans?” Will decided to move on to a more practical and important issue.

    “I don’t have $500,000. I have no idea what I’m going to do.” Will knew that statement to be the truth. “I have to return to the ranch by the thirty-first and give him all that I have, which isn’t much. My bank account is less than $10,000, and I haven’t much property.”

    “Just remember to come back, please,” Will said firmly.

    “I’ll figure something out, and I’ll be back. I promise,” Katrina assured him. It was a shallow pledge, but it was better than nothing.

    Elijah went to bed earlier than usual. He lay there thinking about nothing except the young man in the bedroom next to him. It was obvious he wasn’t going to get much sleep tonight. His mind continued to analyze Will’s every word, his every action. Will had a lot of anger in him, he noticed. No one knew anger and its destructive capacity more than he did. His thoughts drifted back to the living room. Will felt so right in his arms. If Mrs. Coleman hadn’t interrupted, who knows what might have happened. Will had responded to him; he tried to resist, but it didn’t last. Is he sincere, or is he playing me? He would find out in time. No one could maintain a facade of conservative purity for too long if it was not truly part of their character. He smiled ruefully and drifted to sleep.

    In his own room, Will could hear a whimpering sound. Someone was in distress. “Where are you?” he asked. Their cries were so clear, but he couldn’t find them.

    “Will, Will, wake up.” Who was that calling for him? There was someone with him. He woke with a start to see Eli leaning over him. He was seated on the edge of Will’s bed, and his hand was stroking his face.

    “Elijah? Where am I?” was his first response as he quickly sat up.

    “You’ll remember as soon as you’re fully awake, and you can call me Eli,” he said. He moved closer to Will and gently smoothed his hair back from his face.