Shadow of Time - Book 1: (Paranormal Romance) (20 page)

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Authors: Jen Minkman

BOOK: Shadow of Time - Book 1: (Paranormal Romance)

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Hannah felt her stomach turn
as they sat down in the car, still without uttering a word. Josh started up the engine and turned toward her. “If I drive too fast and you feel sick again, let me know.”

Hannah risked glancing up at him.
His eyes looked sad and determined at the same time. If only she could reach out and touch him, pull him toward her, but she didn’t dare move.

Josh
turned his gaze toward the road again, his hands tightly gripping the steering wheel. She couldn’t remember what nightmares had plagued her, but the reality to which she’d woken up had to be much, much worse.

When they turned onto Lakeshore Drive and the beach of
St. Mary’s Port appeared in the distance, Hannah couldn’t take it anymore.

“Josh,” she started, cringing at
her faltering voice. “What’s wrong?”

He looked
sideways, his eyes distant. “We need to talk,” he said, his voice so cool it sent a shiver through her.

Josh kept driving, passing the beach and turning
onto the sandy track leading up to the log cabins. He parked the car alongside the road and cut the ignition before turning toward her. The enduring silence between them made Hannah’s ears throb.

“I’m sorry
,” he finally spoke up. “But I need some space. This is all going too fast.”

She
eyed him uncomprehendingly. “You – you need time?” she croaked.

Silence tick-tocked betwe
en them. Josh closed his eyes, slowly shaking his head. “I think I made a mistake.”

A mistake?

His words hit her heart like bullets. Tears welled up in her eyes as she stared at Josh, completely lost for words. Her hands started to shake. She wanted to say something, convince him this was nonsense, but a giant hand had locked her throat, preventing her desperate thoughts from spilling out.

“But
– why?” she finally whispered plaintively.

“I thought I wanted this, but it’s not working for me. I should h
ave thought it over. I’m sorry,” he said in a monotone. His eyes didn’t betray a single feeling or thought going on in his head.

Hannah swal
lowed, blinking back her tears. Her heart slowed down, stuttered, and for a second, she wished she would just disappear. She’d never felt more hurt and betrayed in her entire life. “Oh,” she whispered.

He looked grim
, his face almost creased with distaste, as if he was about to kick her out of the car.

“Well,
I guess I should be going then.” Her thoughts were a mindless jumble, spinning wildly. Hannah remembered how Josh had looked at her with such heartbreaking desire when they’d kissed each other for the first time. He’d said how much she meant to him. And now, it was all gone. He didn’t want her anymore – just like that.

With teary eyes,
she reached for the door handle on her side when suddenly, she felt his hand on her shoulder. Hopeful, she looked up. Was he going to stop her?

“I’ll see you around
,” Josh said softly.

She tried to decipher the look in his eyes, the emotions hiding behind them. No regret. No sadness.
No, it was acceptance. And yet, he looked so mournful that she couldn’t believe he was only seventeen.

The next moment
, his hands were back on the steering wheel, his eyes cold again. He’d shut her out. He had closed the door.

In a daze, Hannah got out of the car. She just stood there, not looking back when Josh turned the car and drove off.

She was still there, motionless, when Ben appeared around the corner, his face a big question mark. “Was that Josh just driving away? Didn’t he want to have dinner with us?” He looked more closely at his sister, taking a step toward her. “Hey, Han. You feeling okay? You look like shit.”

She shook her head. “No.”
No. No.
The only word repeating over and over in her mind. She numbly stared at her brother.

“Okay, you’re scari
ng me. What’s up?” he insisted.

“He
... ” She felt fresh tears well up in her eyes.

“Who?” Ben put his arms around her and held her close. “Who?” he
repeated softly.

“Josh,” she
sobbed, clinging to Ben.

“Did something happen to him?” Ben gently shook her. “Say something, please.”

“He – broke – up – with me,” she hiccupped, sounding pathetic. “He’s gone. He doesn’t want me anymore.”

Ben hugged her
even tighter, rubbing her back. At the same time, she felt him tense up. He was angry.

“Come on,” he whispered in her ear after what seemed like an eternity. “You can’t stay here. Let’s go
back to the cabin.”

He caref
ully led her up the porch steps, dismissing Ivy with a wave of his hand as she approached them. Hannah stumbled into her bedroom, sinking down on the bed.

Ben followed her and sat down on
the edge of the bed. “Tell me what happened.”

Hannah cleared her throat. “Everything was fine today
. And then, he suddenly changed. He was so distant. He – said he’d made a mistake. Said he needed space.”

Ben’s face grew more puzzled by the
second. “Made a mistake?” he echoed. “But that’s absurd. I
know
him. I’ve seen the way he looks at you. It’s impossible.”

“Pl
ease, Ben.” Hannah’s voice had dried to a whisper. “Emily was right to warn me. Josh pushes people away when they come too close. She said so. I should have listened to her.” She turned on her side, staring at the wall.

Ben touched her shoulder. “Okay. I know this
must be horrible for you. I’ll leave you alone.”

She turned her tear-streaked face
toward her brother. “Are you having dinner at the neighbors’?” she sniffed.

Ben smiled. “Yeah, I’ll be close. No worries.” His voice was sweet. “I
guess you want to stay here?”

Hannah nodded wordlessly.

“You still want to tag along to Canyon de Chelly tomorrow?” he went on.

She hesitated for a second. The idea of staying here for two days without Ben to cheer her up when she missed Josh
like crazy wasn’t exactly appealing. Actually, it was a good idea to leave St. Mary’s Port behind for a few days.

“I still want to
,” she replied. “Tell the Greenes I’ll feel better tomorrow.”

Ben patted her on the head, then got up and quietly closed her bedroom door. Hannah waited till she heard Ben leave the house before she burst out in another bout of tears.
In the end, she slipped away into a restless sleep. The dark taking hold of her felt peaceful and safe.

Don’t miss the conclusion of Shadow of Time! Book 2 available now:

http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00LRKL8V2