So Shall I Reap by Kathy-Lynn Cross Read Free Book Online Page B

Rushing was never advised because I lacked coordination, possibly from a disconnected wire somewhere between my eyes and both feet. Breathing slower, I checked the closet door. Thankfully, it was unlocked. Offering myself a pat on the back for courage, I opened it. Digging toward the back where she kept the no longer in style items, I found Mom’s black Coach Amina high heels. Her black Coach Signature Clip Demi Flap bag complemented my outer wrapper. Thank the stars we wore the same sizes because it doubled my wardrobe… as long as she didn’t find out about my system of borrowing.
    Sprinting back upstairs to gather my list of needs: real ID, fake ID, wallet, extra makeup, I kept only necessities. Mentally, I checked off each item and gathered everything together to dump into the purse. Opening the bottom drawer to the dresser, I grabbed the tampon box from under my time-of-the-month panties to dig out the hidden cash stash. To my way of thinking, most robbers would not take the time to look through feminine hygiene products to score. I pulled a wad of bills out, crammed it into the zipper pocket, and flipped the flap to lock it. With a finger looped through the heel straps, I carried them downstairs, punched in the code on the wall lockbox and waited for the beep. The door popped open.
    A silver key ring with a calligraphy style “A” sparkled in greeting. The coolness of the metal ignited a wish for a vehicle of my own, but then again… I wouldn’t be able to indulge the drink. It was not up to me to judge others if they made the wrong intoxicated choice to risk losing their rides. Freedom was a responsibility just slightly out of reach as I pictured a silver Jeep with chrome rims and light gray microfiber interior. In Vegas, leather would give me second-degree burns. My cell phone belted out Tod’s ringtone from a distance, interrupting my daydream.
    Jutting out my lower lip, I puffed a stray curl out of my eyes. The cell was still in my room. Pissed at forgetting it, I dropped everything to bolt back up the stairs, bare feet hitting every other step. Tripping over the mountain of clothes, I heard Gigi’s low growl of protest from the disturbance. Snatching the phone from the bed at the same time a twinkle from the hourglass caught my eye. Still in the moment, I watched the last portion of sparkly black sand continue to pour over the small hill. Less than a minute of sand left before the last grain fell. Time pressed, and I yelled at the dog to get out while using a free hand to push against her butt. Wonderful. Drool all over my gym socks. Gross. Then I slammed the door so the miniature horse would get the hint to stay out.
    Once again, my feet flew down the steps. By the time they hit the last stair, I was out of breath. After bending down to gather up everything, I stood and snagged the key ring from the hook, closed the key box and opened the front door. Right then, Tod laid on the horn, making my body jerk as if it tried to cough up my heart.
    “I’m coming. Damn. Be right there. Still have to lock up.” He was either talking under his breath or singing with the Metallica song blaring out of the vehicle windows. His eyes were dark with impatience as his fingers drummed to the song.
    I locked up and ran on my tiptoes down the paved drive to the passenger side of the truck. Before I got there, he reached across to push the door open. Dangling the purse and shoes, I rose up into the truck and tossed everything onto the seat. Tod leaned forward to help, and then met my lips with a quick peck. Yeah, he was pretty pissed off, but damn, my chest was aching from the two hundred yard dash, with stairs no less. I pulled the seatbelt across my chest and snapped it in place. “Let’s go.”
    Within three seconds of the word go, Tod gunned the engine again, fixed the rearview mirror, and flashed me a half smile.
     

Tevin’s side: Through the eyes of a Reaper
     
    While all of this was transpiring, she remained