Unbroken by Jennifer McNare Read Free Book Online Page B

one of the local bed and breakfasts, I operate a small catering service for some of the locals.”  Reaching into the back she grabbed a large cooler and set it on the ground and then handed Britney two large sacks filled with groceries.  “Jake’s not much of a cook, so when he visits I stop by twice a week with pre-cooked meals that he can just pop into the oven and warm up.  Since mom passed, I do the same for my dad.”  Hefting the cooler, she started toward the house as Britney followed behind.  “Do you have any food allergies I should know about?” she asked over her shoulder.
    “Allergies, uh no.  But you don’ t have to go to any trouble on my account.  I don’t mind shopping and cooking for myself.  It’s really not a problem.”
    “Nonsense, Jake pays for all of the groceries and for me cooking isn’t work, but pleasure.  So it’s really no trouble at all, dear.” 
    Britney followed her into the house, instantly awed by the elegant, yet welcoming décor.    
    “Unless you would prefer to cook for yourself, of course.” 
    Noting the slight affront in Rosemary’s tone , Britney quickly back-pedaled as she followed the older woman into the kitchen.  “Oh no, it’s not that.  I just wouldn’t want to be a bother, what with you already cooking for Jake.”
    Setting the cooler next to the large s tainless steel refrigerator, Rosemary turned back to Britney with a warm smile.  “I always make more than enough for two, so don’t you worry about a thing,” she said, sounding mollified.  “Now be a dear and run out and grab the rest of the bags while I start unloading, will you?”
    “Of course,” Britney replied, setting the two bags she was holding onto the immense granite-topped island that took up the middle portion of the large, open kitchen.
    Passing Jake on the front porch, she saw that he was carrying her other suitcase.
    “I’ll take your bags upstairs to the guest suite,” he told her.  “Then I’ll show you around the house once you and Rose are done in the kitchen.”
    “Al right, thanks.”
    Grabbing the remaining grocery bags out of Rosemary’s vehicle, Britney shut the hatch and then stopped for a moment, taking in the lush beauty that surrounded her temporary home.  From where she stood, she had an unobstructed view of the Sawtooth Mountains and they were truly spectacular to behold.  Their rugged gray peaks were wreathed in low-hanging white clouds, while the encompassing wilderness was awash in a kaleidoscope of colors.  It really was a beautiful sight.  Perhaps it wouldn’t be so difficult to keep the images of that other remote wilderness at bay, for there was nothing even remotely sinister about this place.  There were no agonizing screams ringing in her ears, only the peaceful singsong sounds of the birds, the gentle buzzing of flying insects and the soft chirping of crickets.  She was safe now.  She had to remember that.  She couldn’t allow her fear to overwhelm her and drag her back to that horrible abyss that lurked in the back of her thoughts, just waiting to swallow her.  She had to be strong.
     

Chapter 5
     
    Later that afternoon, once Rosemary had left and Jake had shown her around the house, Britney sat in the office reviewing his schedule.  The next two weeks were relatively clear, an interview with the local paper and telephone interviews with ESPN, Maxim and another with Fox Sports.  The following week however, was going to be hectic.  Three years ago, Jake had signed on to be the face of an advertising campaign for one of LA’s hottest new clothing designers.  The pairing had been remarkably successful and had launched Jake into a realm of celebrity status far beyond the NHL.  His face, having frequently graced the covers of publications such as Sports Illustrated and Sports Weekly, was now seen on the covers of publications like GQ, Harper’s Bazaar, Vogue and Esquire as well.  His fame had been further enhanced the