Faithful Shadow Read Free

nearly empty parking lot. Not too many tourists staying at the inn, given the state of things. Kelly looked up at the unnatural redness of the morning sun shining through the black smoke of the fire. She shook her head, angry that such a tragedy should befall the park the one year she’d decided to work there. It was a family tradition for the Foster clan. Her mother and father had first met working there. Her brother Phil had even worked there, but he had entirely different reasons for making the trip. He once told her it was the best place to sell pot since the market was virtually wide open. Kelly had come for the beauty of nature, the peace, and experience. It would be so sad if her time here were cut short by the fire and horrible if the uncontrolled burn made it to the inn.
    Kelly walked through the cabins across from the inn’s parking lot, looking from one empty cabin to the next. They’d started off with a full booking, but then word had spread as quickly as the flames in the south; one cancellation after another. A cabin on her left had a broken front window. The glass littered the small porch. Probably a drunken employee having a laugh since no one was around. The park was still completely open and enjoyable, leaving all the major tourist attractions unharmed and accessible. Most people never got out of their cars anyway. They rolled down their windows, snapped a photo, and moved on. Kelly felt sorry for them, people like her snoring roommate. All so absorbed in their own little worlds, unable to take a few moments to take a deep breath and admire the beautiful palette of nature. Kelly laughed at herself, feeling like some sentimental poet trying to convince people of how deep he was. She paused at the trail’s head and pulled her MP3 player from her thin sweater’s front pouch. She put on the headphones and pressed play.
    As she did every morning, she began with a light jog. The trail offered some fantastic scenery with a flat and reasonably smooth path. She ran this trail almost every morning, excluding mornings with excessive cramps or hangovers. This was something that reminded her of home. She’d been born and raised in a small town outside of Mobile, Alabama. Behind her house was a beautiful creek lined with trees, a smooth path, and wild-flowers. She and her dog Biscuit, an old Lab now, went running every morning.
    Kelly screamed as someone grabbed her from behind, lifting her off the ground with his arms wrapped tightly about her stomach. She thrashed beneath the tight grip and was quickly released. She spun around the second her feet hit the ground with her hands raised and ready to rumble. She may be dainty and sweet, but her dad had taught her a thing or two about self-defense.
    “Richard!” Kelly lowered her arms, pressing a hand to her heart as she slowed her breathing. “You stupid son of a bitch!”
    “Language.” Richard Cain laughed hard, holding his stomach as he took a seat on a nearby fallen tree.
    “You nearly gave me a heart attack.” Kelly’s agitation faded with a smile.
    Her Southern accent was quite the turn-on. Being one of the hottest girls in the park didn’t hurt either—blonde hair down to her shoulder blades, a perfect tan. Her eyes were deep blue and her teeth were a sparkling white. For Richard, she was the definition of a Southern Belle.
    “A simple hello will do from now on.” Kelly took a seat beside him, giving him a hard elbow to the side. “Almost made me drop my MP3 player.”
    “Who are you listening too?”
    “Mozart.”
    Richard shook his head. “Sounds like I did you a favor then.”
    “You’re just an uncultured California boy.” Kelly really enjoyed her time with him. He had the most beautiful smile. “Is this your way of joining me?”
    “If you don’t mind.” Richard proceeded to stretch his hamstrings.
    Kelly smiled, wanting nothing more than to have him tag along. Since the beginning of summer, she and Richard had been flirting. Then on