New In The Territories (Book 1) COMPLETED

Chapter Part 8 Sam

Glad the drama was over, I stopped paying attention to the surroundings and focused on the CD collection Nate had in the car until the vehicle came to a stop. Looking out the window, the first thing I saw was at least 40 other cars parked on the grass, two dozen motorcycles and a dozen or so ATV's. My anxiety level was about to hit melt down. "Son of a..., look at all the vehicles!" On the right, I caught a glimpse of an enormous house. The white siding, grand 3-storey Victorian style home, with royal blue shutters. I was one of those home you would see on a cover of a home magazine. The stained glass double front doors encased in a white wood frame highlight by the wrought iron railing of the wrap-around porch. A turret stood at the back corner with elegant stained glass windows. "Whoa, look at that house." All I could do was sit there in ah for a moment, the house now held my full attention. The extreme amount of people waiting in the backyard forgotten, at least pushed aside for the moment.

Nate had already made his way out of the truck around to our side and had the doors

opened. "It's something else isn't it," he admired.

"Yeah..." Mady and Nate's eyes shined with amusement. "Don't get me wrong, your guy's house is absolutely gorgeous, but this...this is whoa." I didn't mean to offend them and by the look on their faces I knew they understood.

"No offence taken. It's an amazing house, just wait till you see the inside," Mady replied.

Once again remembering the large group of people, I pulled myself together, still wishing I could have avoided this till later, maybe even all together. Taking a deep breath and forcing a huge friendly smile that I was not feeling to ease Mady's reservations before she demanded we leave. Again.

Jumping out of the truck, it hit me like an explosion; air almost too heavy to breath in, skin crawling with the feeling of ants running up my skin, and a violent shiver that shot up my spine. Stumbling back a step, Nate's fast reflexes stopped me from falling on my butt.

Holding me up with his hands braced on my upper arms Nate bent down slightly to see eye to eye, he asked, "Sam, are you OK?" his voice laced with concern.

"Ah...yeah, just a little light headed for a moment." Even to me my voice sounded shaky. By the time the last word left my mouth the sensation was gone.

Eyebrow rose, clearly not convinced. Not that I blamed him. "You sure?"

Shaking it off, trusting my legs would not give out, I looked at both of them, then proceeded away from the truck. "Yeah see, I'm fine, just my nerves getting the better of me."

"If you're sure then? Let's go," Mady said, entwining their arms, and headed for the back of the house.

I couldn't hold back the winced from the contact. "Sorry got a shock." I explained as I pulled away from Mady's touch. The same feeling I had gotten shaking Nate's hand last night, only on a much lower scale.

Nate was watching me with suspicion before asking. "You sure...?"

I cut him off. "Nothing a cold beer and some window shopping won't cure," I said with a playful grin.

Laughing, stepping in between us, he offered his arm. "Ladies shall we."

I hesitated for a moment before taking his offered arm; tensing, waiting for the assault to come but didn't. See, no weird feeling. It's just in my head. I tried to convince myself.

Walking towards the back of the house, towards the sound of music, power tools, children playing, and a lot of laughter invaded my hearing and helped put me at ease. A little anyways. Rounding the corner, the first thing I saw were groups of people who seem to be enjoying themselves. That was until the wind picked up, whipping my hair forward, blinding me for a brief instant. Pulling my hair out of the way, I couldn't help but notice the noise that just invaded my hearing had stopped. The intense stares from most, daggers from a few, and a lot of curiosity from the rest had my fight or flight response kicked into flight so strong that I had to dug her nails into Nate's shirt covered forearm to prevent from running down the road screaming, and flaring my arms like a mad woman.