Wayward Hearts by Susan Anne Mason Read Free Book Online

sound.”
    Aidan had left that morning, needing to get back to his job in Arizona. The sound of his voice increased the pangs of loneliness. “Glad to hear it.” She tried not to envy him being able to leave all the problems here behind him.
    “How’s Mama?” he asked.
    “About the same. I’m not sure if it’s her illness or depression over Charlie, but all she wants to do is sleep. I can barely get her to eat.”
    At Maxi’s feet, Shep whined. She pushed open the screen door as she talked and let him out.
    Aidan sighed on the other end. “Let’s pray the house sells fast, and we can find a good place for her. I hate leaving you with the brunt of all this.” He paused. “You sure you’re OK?”
    Maxi swallowed her sadness. “I’m fine. Just tired.”
    “Well, call me anytime if you need to talk.”
    “I will. Thanks.”
    Maxi hung up feeling more desolate than before. She tidied the kitchen, let Shep back in, and went to check on her mother, who’d dozed off on the couch. Maxi roused her and got her into her room and settled in bed with the German shepherd lying guard on the mat.
    Weariness settled into Maxi’s bones as she locked up for the night. In the darkened kitchen, the lonely glow of her cell phone beckoned to her. She picked it up, her mind turning to Jason. The longing for his soothing presence became a physical ache.
    They’d agreed to be friends, hadn’t they? She could ask him to come over. They could talk about old times, play some cards, watch a movie. Her heart beat faster as she punched in the first few digits of his number. Then the memory of their encounter at the shelter made heat flare in her cheeks. She snapped the phone off and tossed it on the counter. Probably a very bad idea. In her vulnerable state tonight, who knew what could happen?
    She walked into the living room, straightened the pillows on the couch and turned off the lamp. With no desire to watch mindless television, she decided to turn in early, hoping things would appear brighter in the morning after a decent night’s sleep.
    With any luck at all, she wouldn’t even dream—especially not about Jason.
     
    ****
     
    Jason checked his pager and his cell phone to make sure both were still on. He’d been on call for the Kingsville Fire Department for the past eight hours and now looked forward to a hot shower and the comfort of his bed.
    He ran a hand over his gritty eyes and checked the time on the clock of his truck. Twelve thirty. He should make it back to Rainbow Falls by 1:00 AM. With any luck, his mother would be asleep.
    He blew out a weary breath. Maybe the time had come to get a place of his own. He hated the thought of leaving, but once he became a fireman full time, he’d be working crazy shifts, and his mom didn’t sleep well, waiting to hear his truck in the driveway.
    His thoughts turned to Maxi as he swung the vehicle onto the country road leading into town. Soon he would pass by the Norths’ farm. Would he see any lights on, or would Maxi be long asleep?
    Darkness spread out before him, broken only by the long beam of his headlights. Above him the stars winked a silent greeting. He felt like the lone person alive on the planet.
    A sudden flicker up ahead caught his attention. For a moment, he thought it a trick of his imagination until the flicker became a red glow. He craned his neck to see better, his instincts kicking into high alert.
    Fire!
    He hit the accelerator hard to get closer as fast as he could. Fear gripped his insides the minute he realized where the light was coming from.
    The North farm was on fire.
    Jason slammed down his foot on the accelerator and pulled out his cell phone. He punched in the speed dial number for the Kingsville Fire Department.
    “It’s Hanley. Fire on rural road eight. Charlie North’s place. Looks like the primary burn is the barn. I’m going to check the house. Meet me there.”
    Gravel flew as the truck roared onto the side road leading to the property. His