Wander and Roam (Wander #1) Read Free Page A

standing, they would rise only to my waist. Movement-wise, though, they hop around similarly to the kangaroo.
    How cool. I never planned to see Australian wildlife on my trip. The pleasure of watching the animals and eating with Sage fades. Coming here was never for leisure or fun. How can I enjoy myself without Robbie?
    I stand abruptly, sending the wallabies scattering in all directions. “Thanks for lunch. I’ll see you later.”
    Ignoring Sage’s quizzical stare, I head back to the yurt. I need to lose myself in the relief of pen, paper, and purple envelopes.

I CAN barely keep my eyes open as the first bands of sunlight stream into our yurt. I tossed and turned most of the night, managing to fall asleep only a few hours ago. While I’d like to blame my insomnia on jetlag, if I’m honest, the time difference only figured in the smallest amount.
    Sage, on the other hand…
    I’ve never shared living space with a guy. Even Robbie. Despite all the countless hours I hung out with him, we never spent the entire night together. It would have been too awkward, since he still lived with his parents.
    Throughout the night, I was drawn to Sage. The rustle of his sheets, the soft exhale and inhale of his breaths, his smell; fresh, with a hint of spice.
    Now that it’s morning, I beat myself up over my attraction. If I were stronger—more loyal—I wouldn’t even notice how the beam of light shining through the window accentuates the bronze highlights of his tanned face. I wouldn’t pay any attention to the broad expanse of his shoulders as he stretches his muscular arms and yawns.
    Groaning in frustration over these thoughts—unwanted, unbidden, yet irritatingly relentless—I hide my face in my pillow.
    “Morning,” Sage says. “Sleep well?”
    A bell tolling in the distance saves me from answering. Thankfully. I truly don’t know how I could have responded to that question.
    “Breakfast’s served.” Sage pulls his shoes on. “Susan always rings the bell to let us know when meals are on the table. Ready?”
    Not really. I wish I could have remained hidden away in my dorm at Erie University, northwest Ohio’s most lackluster university. I had been lucky enough to get one of the new dorms, a single with an en-suite bathroom. With my mini-fridge, microwave, and coffee maker, I could hermit away as much as I liked.
    Until they figured out I wasn’t attending class or turning in assignments. Getting kicked out sucked. Surprisingly, I didn’t miss the learning or my major or any of that. I yearned for the solitude, though.
    “Well? Are you ready?” Sage holds the door open.
    “Go ahead. I’ll meet you there.” I take a few moments to collect myself before grabbing my toiletry bag and heading to the bathroom.
    When I heard about the composting toilet and well-fed sink and shower, I was nervous, but the bathroom’s nicer than I anticipated. A large, glass-walled shower sits in one corner, and it even has one of those rainfall showerheads. The toilet looks pretty normal, until you notice that it isn’t water-filled like the ones back home. Like the yurt, Susan’s made the bathroom homey with a large bowl of flower and fruit potpourri.
    After freshening up, I head down to the picnic tables. The covered eating area is just a short walk from Susan’s home. Sage’s voice and Susan’s responding laughter grow louder as I walk. Great. More conversation and interaction, when all I want is to hide away from everybody. It’s as if the world is conspiring against my isolation.
     

     
    “Sage will show you the drill,” Susan explains as we finish the last bites of waffles and fresh fruit. “I ask for five hours of labor a day, but you can divide the time up however you’d like.”
    “Susan’s very flexible. A bloody brilliant hostess .” He pronounces the last sentence with a terrible Australian accent.
    She smiles and shakes her head. “Sage always takes a post-lunch break before finishing his last two