When Lee witnesses a murder, her only chance at survival is running. Somewhere along the way she meets a man who takes her to The Runaway House, a safe place for fugitives and runaways. There she begins to find peace, courage, love, and a real famil...
As I shake out my hand, my eyes graze over the pages I've scribbled my heart onto. I've been writing all morning, pouring out the pent-up emotions inside of me.
And somehow a sketch of the kitchen has ended up in the notebook, with Travis at the sink, morning light spilling over him. A slight smirk rests on his face, his plaid shirt unbuttoned to show his ease.
I sigh and fall back onto my bed, where I've been hiding all day. Why does he always have to wear plaid? He looks so charming in it. Even in my sloppy drawing.
After I drop my notebook onto my blankets, I massage my hand. Maybe I need a break.
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I pull on my shoes and head outside. Travis is over by the van, slaving away. A few of the kids are lounging in the yard, but some are still finishing up chores: weeding, hanging laundry on the line, mowing.
Maybe it's because the lawn mower is so close, and that's why I hear him. He practically has to shout over it.
"Do it, Samantha, or I will personally make you regret ever setting foot on this property."
"And how would you do that?" she snaps.
"You know how," he growls.
I round the corner of the barn just in time to watch the color drain out of Samantha's face. When she spots me, her eyes widen.
"Do what?" I say.
Ben whips around, shooting a glare at me.
Even though Samantha is mad at me and Travis warned me not to do this again, I cross my arms and return the glare. It sends a chill through my spine, Ben bullying people. And someone as sweet as Samantha? It's sickening. Watching the color drain out of her face and seeing the fear in her eyes—I have to do something.
Ben steps toward me, his chest puffed out. It takes all of my willpower not to cringe. But I stand tall. "Get out of here," he huffs.
"Do you ever stop forcing people into what you want, Ben?" It comes out as a frustrated sigh.
"Maybe I wouldn't have to if you all wouldn't mess everything up for me."
"And maybe we wouldn't mess everything up for you if you'd quit using us and just leave us alone."
As Samantha sighs and shakes her head, Ben just stands there. Because he knows I'm right. It's the dirty, cold truth, and it needs to be told. Offering a shoulder to cry on to snag a girl? Threatening Samantha? And I know that's just the surface—everyone does. Penelope just has too big of a heart to send him away.
He narrows his eyes at me. "You'll regret that." He pushes past me, knocking me into the side of the barn.
