Forced Handfasting Read Free Page B

Moore.
                  “Miss Gradin, how did you like your first-year teaching?” Mr. Moore asked her as she sat down.
                  “It was wonderful. I loved every minute of it,” she said smiling.
                  “I am happy to hear it. Do you have plans for the summer?”
                  “Yes, I am heading out to Puerto Rico Saturday for a two-week stay.” She took a bite of a fresh strawberry.
                  Tracy choked for a moment then looked up at her. “Puerto Rico? When were you going to tell me about this?” The entire table laughed at Tracy’s shocked face.
                  “I just confirmed my plans last night. It’s an early Christmas present from my parents,” she said.
                  “I thought your parents were out of the picture?” Tracy replied.
                  “Let’s just say they are trying to win me back!” she laughed.
                  Her parents were the story of her life and she didn’t feel like going into it while a roomful of co-workers listened. She managed to divert the conversation to her upcoming vacation, and what everyone else was doing for the summer. Before she knew it was three o’clock, time to begin her summer.
                  “Well, call me when you get back from Puerto Rico. You can tell me about all the hot guys you see.” Tracy joked then hugged her goodbye.
                  “You should come with me,” she said.
                  “Can’t. I am going to spend some time up in the mountains with my sister. Her baby is due any day now, and I told her I would come, and help her out for a few weeks. Just be careful.” Tracy kissed her cheek quickly then ducked into her car and drove away.
                  She watched as her friend drove away, feeling a bit sad knowing she wouldn’t see her for a couple of months. Once she got in her car all thoughts of her friend fled her mind. She was so excited about going on her trip that she could barely stand the wait. At least her plane was leaving early Saturday, so that meant she only had a day, and a half to wait. She just needed to go home a pack.
                  The flight to Puerto Rico was uneventful and arrived as scheduled. Her hotel which was located in Old San Juan, and had a perfect view of the Atlantic Ocean. She stood on the balcony of her room, and took in the scenery that was stretched out before her. The blue water of the ocean glistened as the waves crashed against the shore. An old fort, Fort San Cristóbal, stretched along the coast and had at one time protected Old San Juan. It was one of her first stops on her self-guided tour she was set to begin tomorrow.
                  The sights and sounds filtering through the door of the balcony enticed her to go for a short walk. The air was still warm and humid as the sun slowly sank below the horizon. A trickle of sweat ran between her breasts, but she ignored it. Everything around her fascinated her enough to not let herself be concerned with her sweat.
                  After a short walk, and bite to eat she retreated to her room. She wanted to get a good night’s sleep in preparation for her first real look at the island. She showered quickly then slipped between the cool sheets of her double bed. Switching the television on, she flipped through the channels until she found a movie to watch. It wasn’t long after that she felt her eyes grow heavy with sleep.
                  The sunlight streamed through the window of her hotel room the next morning. She felt its warmth on her cheek as she slowly came out of her dream. It took a moment for her to remember where she was, and when she did she bolted upright in the bed. She dressed quickly in a pair of jean shorts, and a t-shirt that said, “I love teaching” on the front of it then slipped on