Taken Home (Lone Star Burn) by Ruth Cardello Read Free Book Online

Melanie and Sarah looked like they were bursting to tell her something.
    Could one of them be pregnant?
    Did Melanie and Charles pick a date?
    Chelle had done some serious reflecting since her freak-out at Sarah’s wedding. She refused to be the kind of person who couldn’t be happy for her friends just because they were in a better place than she was. In that spirit, she smiled and asked, “I can’t take it anymore. Spill whatever it is you two are sitting on.”
    Sarah clasped her hands on her lap. “I spoke to Josie. She said you had gone to her travel agency and picked up some brochures last week, but she hadn’t heard from you since.”
    Chelle’s smile faltered. That wasn’t at all what she’d expected her to say. “I’ve been busy.”
    Melanie leaned forward, and her skepticism was obvious. “Is that all it is?”
    Chelle looked away and shrugged, not comfortable with sharing what she didn’t want to admit even to herself. “Sure. You were right. I do want to travel. I just haven’t had time to decide where I want to go.”
    Sarah reached behind a cushion on her couch and pulled out a small gift-wrapped box. “I was hoping you’d say that.” She held the box out to Chelle. “I made this for you, but before you open it, I want you to promise me something.”
    Chelle took the gift and held it on her lap while watching her two friends cautiously. “I’ve never gotten a gift that came with conditions before.”
    Sarah’s smile widened. “Then today is your lucky day.”
    Melanie nodded toward the box. “Sarah made it, but I have to admit I like the idea.”
    Chelle lifted the gift and shook it. The contents sounded like pieces of cardboard sliding back and forth. As her curiosity grew, she started to unwrap it, but Sarah quickly placed her hand on it to stop her.
    “First, you have to promise to use it.”
    Looking back and forth between Sarah and Melanie, Chelle said, “How can I do that before I know what it is?”
    Melanie shared a look with Sarah.
    Sarah waved a hand at the still-unopened gift. “Do you trust us?”
    Chelle thought about how good both of them had been to her. Sarah had been open and kind since the first day she’d met her. And Melanie, well, she took longer to open up, but underneath her tough exterior, she was actually pretty sweet. Neither had ever given her a reason to doubt their friendship. “Absolutely.”
    Sarah pointed to the box again. “Then just promise. Let us help you change your life.”
    Melanie raised and dropped one shoulder. “I wouldn’t have said it so dramatically, but I do think it’s a nice idea.”
    Chelle tipped the box again, trying to guess the contents from the sound inside. What could she possibly use that would come with life-changing rules? “You’re serious?”
    Sarah nodded forcefully. “Swear to follow the rules before you open it.” When Chelle didn’t agree immediately, Sarah held out her hand. “Of course, if you’re too afraid to do that, you can always give it back to me.”
    Chelle tightened her hands on the gift. Her fears were already holding her back from leaving town; she wouldn’t let them stop her from opening a silly little present. “I swear.”
    Sarah clapped her hands. “Then open it.”
    Chelle ripped the white wrapping paper off, revealing a simple cardboard box. She removed the tape that held it closed and reached inside. Her hand closed around what felt like a deck of cards. She pulled one out and studied it. It was a regular shiny playing card with a photo of Niagara Falls taped to one side of it. She looked at Sarah in confusion.
    Sarah said softly, “Josie gave us a list of everywhere you had taken information about. I glued each destination on a different card and put all of them in there. Now all you have to do is close your eyes, stick your hand in there, and let fate decide where you should go.”
    Chelle pulled out a handful of the cards and fanned them out. It was just as Sarah had said. From Paris