Leoti Read Free Page B

the chambers of her heart.
    She knew her mother expected greatness from her. Carlton just wanted her unquestioning devotion and support with the offer of nothing in return. But Josie longed for something more. Before she couldn’t quite name what she needed. Well now she could. She called it freedom. Reaching over she turned off the lights and tried to forget how vivid her imagination was. If the Native American man from the store visited her dreams she wouldn’t turn him away. Josie chuckled and turned over with a smile on her face, feeling better than she had in weeks.

Chapter Two
     
    Elu poured a fresh cup of coffee. He ground his own beans for a richer, more potent swill. It helped his day begin. A day that started with a morning walk on his land to watch the sun rise, then a trip back into town. Nate relied on him to open the store for the traveling tourists until he could wander off his horse farm and tend to business himself. The old man was getting slower so Elu didn’t mind. Nate was family to him.
    Putting down the mug he heard Po barking at the door.
    “Yes, yes, I know boy.”
    The dog paced and wagged his tail. Elu plucked his jacket from the chair and slipped it on. Mornings near the forest and lake were always chilly no matter what the season. He picked up his rifle near the door then threw the door open. Po pushed past him and once down the front porch steps he threw his hind leg up and let go.
    Elu chuckled walking out to join him. He watched Po rush off in a sprint across the lawn, stretching his legs, connecting with the wolf spirit that dwelled deep within him. He whistled for Po to return. There were bears in these parts, which always concerned him.
    He was an outdoorsy mountain man and he loved his life. A woman was all he needed, and they rarely came a calling around here. His young bride had died several years ago and he always regretted that they’d never had kids. Looking back at the log cabin he built with his own hands he smiled. He’d built it for her.
    “Po! Give a man a chance to catch up.” He hurried his stride and disappeared into the forest after him.
     
    Josie plucked at her locks to extend them into a stylish fro. At night she twisted her hair so it unwound with natural curls in the day. Tiffani, her sister, turned her on to the natural look. It fit with her busy lifestyle.
    Staring at herself in the mirror she sighed. “Okay, a little exploring, maybe some shopping, then I’m packing it in and sitting down at that typewriter. I don’t care what anyone says, I can do this.” She waited for her reflection to speak back. Tell her how pathetic she was by hiding behind her mother’s objections to justify her fear against writing for pleasure instead of academia. Alas her inner self had no words. Josie had heard them all before.
    She padded out of the bathroom to the nightstand where a folded picturesque pamphlet lay. She’d swiped it from the general store. Unfolding the pages she read that a café in town opened at five AM and a few boutiques opened at six. They rose early and closed earlier. That suited her just fine.
    Josie located her purse and sunglasses, which she put in her hair. Outside the sun had risen and the air smelled of dew covered grass and fallen pine cones. It was a crisp clean smell. Josie, out of habit, went to the trunk of her car and threw her purse inside. Growing up in the city she always preferred to ride with her purse in the trunk instead of on the seat next to her. She slammed the trunk down and returned to the car and started it. It was cooler than she imagined late April should be. She turned on the heat and eased in Carlton’s latest CD. Her boyfriend was the lead singer in an alternative rock band. Even the hardest of critics had crowned Notorious Noise musical geniuses equal to Kurt Cobain. Josie couldn’t stop bragging to friends about it. She was so proud of him. His legions of fans, from women to men, spanned all races. And her Carlton was