Beloved

Chapter Two

*Reagan*

Lorelei stayed and spoke to me for about half an hour before she was called away. We exchanged phone numbers and she left with the promise that she will be picking me up tomorrow morning around 9.

I went back to my motel with a box of leftovers and a slice of pie. Thoughts of what tomorrow will bring swarm around my mind. What exactly will tutoring consist of? What age is the boy? Even though I passed high school with exemplary grades, I'm not sure if I'll be able to teach the material.

But I will try my best, for I need a job. If this family is friends of Lorelei, then I will choose to believe that they are going to be good people. Besides, I do not think she would offer me a job for someone unjust or rude.

Before I go to bed, I clean my cuts and take a quick shower before reapplying the bandages. I wrap up my hand, wincing. The slices on my palm are the most painful, probably because it keeps coming in contact with objects and is being jostled from time to time.

I go to bed in comfortable PJs, sighing in contentment. Even though I am exhausted, I hover between sleep and awareness. Every movement outside my room causes me to tense and I become aware that I have no means of defense should Wes ram through the door.

I silently make note to purchase a gun tomorrow.

When it came time for Lorelei to pick me up, I had already been awake for three hours. I changed into a respectable outfit: a dark green sundress with a halter top and subtle red and white boho print. I put on a pair of brown cowgirl boots that I had bought yesterday and twisted my hair into a bun.

Since dying it, I do not enjoy having it down and on display. I'm almost ashamed for changing the color and feel as if it doesn't exactly suit me. But because of this outfit, it does look good with my hazel eyes popping.

I hear a car pull up in the lot and I grab my purse as I exit the room, jogging towards Lorelei's old Ford pickup.

"Good morning. You look fabulous." Lorelei compliments. I arch an eyebrow but smile in appreciation nevertheless.

I lean against the seat and watch as the town disappears from sight. We drive through open fields with the beautiful sight of the Big Horn Mountains. Oh no, I never want to leave.

I don't let my eyes miss any of it. I try to capture every ounce of beauty this state provides. How could one prefer the noise of the city over this? I internally shake my head with confusion. I felt as if I was going crazy, being locked away. Now, I am free and I have the whole world to explore...

But I think I'll be happy spending my time exploring Wyoming first.

When Lorelei turns her truck down a private driveway, I direct my attention out the windshield and instantly stiffen with wide eyes. My jaw falls slack as my heart races within my chest, almost asking to leap from within. My breath is lost, causing tears to gather in my eyes. They flicker to my right to see the large mountains within view, so close you'd think you could touch them.

The gravel of the driveway crunches under our tires as Lorelei pulls to a stop. I stare at the simple white ranch house that is one story tall with a railing porch. I see two chains drop from the roof over the porch, holding up a two person bench that swings back and forth in the wind.

The blue paint on the shutters and door are chipping. The garage door is stuck just a few inches away from the ground and I can't help but smile at how beautiful it is, flaws and all. I tilt my head to the side to see a red barn with a similar paint problem. The large doors are pulled open, causing me to avert my attention to the fields where I see approximately four horses grazing. I can't tell if the house is blocking the view of more.