The Torn, Book One of the Holding Kate Series Read Free

Lynn.”
    “I love you, too, Momma.” I felt my brow crumple and quickly ironed it out in an attempt to be brave. There was so much I wanted to say to her. Be brave for Jimmy. Get on with her life and stop pining for Daddy. He didn’t deserve her anyway. I was sorry for making everything worse, but there was no time, no privacy and that mysterious scream left me shaken.
    “I…I…I’m so sorry,” I stuttered.
    “I know, darling.” She kissed my cheek and pushed me away. “Now, go on, my brave Katie.”
    I turned, my attention riveted on the trees and my heart distracted at the abrupt goodbye. I scanned for the carriage with Pinky’s flash of fuchsia hair, and started toward it, wiping my tears. I glanced back to see Mom already heading toward the car.
    SLAM!!
    I hit a wall of flesh and ricocheted back losing my balance.
    “Whoa.” A strong arm wrapped around my waist and kept me from falling.
    “Sorry.” I quickly swiped at a traitorous tear and ducked my face.
    He cut me a sympathetic expression. “No problem. Hey, you okay?” He touched my chin and turned my face toward him.
    I chanced a glance at his face and felt warmth seep into the parts of me that his hands touched. His emotive brown eyes brimmed with concern, topped by a prominent furrowed brow. He had dark brown hair that swooped across his forehead and peaked in a point at his temple bringing Japanese anime characters to my mind. His chiseled angular face was softened with tender expression, a perfect balance of masculinity and gentleness.
    “Yeah, I’m good.” I breathed, suddenly very aware of his hand on my body.
    “Okay, then.” He suddenly seemed aware of it too and jerked his arm up awkwardly, then touched the point of his bangs. “I’m Trip. What’s your name?”
    “Katie Ly… Kate. Just call me Kate.”
    “Okay, Kate it is.” He smiled and reached out to tuck a stray strand of my hair behind my ear. His hand lingered on my cheek. I think my heart stopped.
    His smile was contagious. I was shocked when my face responded to mimic his. Smiling was not in the plan for the day. It was a nice surprise.
    “Yo, Trip! We got you a seat.”
    I glanced over to see a group of boys gesturing for him to join them. They were in a flatbed trailer drowning in hay and hitched to a team of mules.
    “I guess I’ll see you around,” he quirked his left eyebrow. “Eyes forward, Kate, I wouldn’t want you to have any more fateful encounters.” He leaned forward and lowered his voice as he spoke behind his hand. “Gives me an edge over the competition.” He chuckled then ran off toward the mules.
    I wasn’t at all sure what that was supposed to mean, but I followed his advice and kept my face pointing in the direction I wanted to go. My heart felt lighter, like maybe this summer wouldn’t be so bad after all.
    I climbed into the carriage with Pinky and Caitlyn. “Ooohhh, I like the way you play, chica!” Caitlyn bobbed her head in opposition to her shoulders. “Definitely, the cutest boy so far, mmmm….es muy guapo.”
    “And solid as a wall.” I grinned and cocked an eyebrow.
    Pinky and Caitlyn ogled at me and broke out in a chorus of “My heart beat is dancing for you, boy!” Pinky dangled out of the back of the carriage singing “bumbump, badabump whew!” while Caitlyn wiggled her hips, salsa style, until the carriage lurched forward and she slammed into her seat. I laughed and sang along as the boys in the hayride hooted and hollered at us. Kim shook her head and giggled.
    Another girl rode in the carriage and she was gorgeous, top model stuff, for sure. Her long blond hair was wrapped around to rest on one well defined shoulder. Her shorts revealed strong long and lean legs. She was perfectly tanned a honey golden color and I swear she had periwinkle eyes that sparkled. She didn’t sing with us, she cast a glance at me then looked the other way. I was glad. She made me feel invisible and ugly at the same time.
    The carriages