Set Me Free (A Fugitive #2)
Melissa Pearl
For MeatPac
For being my husband's best friend and the guy who would do anything for him and the woman he loves.
xoxo
NOTE FROM THE AUTHOR
I love to try new things in my writing and this book lent itself to alternating the characters’ points of view.
“I Know Lucy” was told from Zach’s point of view. “Set Me Free” is Lucy's story and therefore, it is told from her point of view while Zach’s recollection of the events are told in third person.
I hope you find this to be a fun and original way to follow this story...I certainly had a good time writing it.
Chapter 1
LUCY
The ride back to Danville had been quicker than I expected. The trucker who picked me up near Bakersfield had made a detour on his way to San Francisco, just to drop me off.
"Thanks for the ride," I mumbled, jumping from the cab.
His deep brown eyes shimmered with warmth. "You take care of yourself, quiet one."
I grinned and flicked him a wave before slamming the heavy door and watching him drive off.
He was a good guy. A family man who I knew all about after our three-and-a-half hour trip together. I had barely said two words the entire trip and he'd filled in the space nicely. It was a good distraction from my beehive of thoughts. My body was buzzing with so many emotions I could barely function.
Hiking my bag onto my shoulder, I orientated myself. Trucky Derek had dropped me off on the outskirts of town. I recognized the buildings and took a deep breath before heading towards the brick house near the middle of town.
I never usually hitched, walking was more my style. Six weeks ago I had walked out of Danville, scurried away from the love of my life because I was scared. I made it all the way to San Diego. I could practically smell Mexico, but I just could not make myself cross that line.
I was a grimy, stinking mess when I finally admitted this to myself. I crawled behind a smelly dumpster and sobbed until my belly ached. I couldn't do it. I couldn't leave him. At least I couldn't do it without telling him how sorry I was.
The next morning, startled awake by yet another nightmare, I stood on shaking limbs and began my trek back north. It took me eleven days to reach Bakersfield and when I bumped into Derek, I just could not refuse his offer of a ride. I knew it was foolhardy, but I had to get to Zach. The need within me had grown desperate.
I slowed to a stop outside his house, the white door so familiar. I had walked through it for several study sessions in the little time we had together. His parents were so cool. I loved the warmth of his house, the comfort it provided. Sure, it did remind me of a sweet childhood that was snatched away from me in an act of brutality that left a gnarly scar on my soul. I had found that part unsettling, but it hadn't been enough to stop me from coming back. I entered Zach's world and fell in love with it.
I wanted those feelings back, even though I didn't deserve them.
Biting down hard on my bottom lip, I shuffled towards the door. My finger was shaking as I pressed the doorbell. I thought I might throw up as I waited for someone to answer. What if it was his parents? I ran my dirty fingers through my greasy hair and cringed. How was I going to explain myself?
I nearly left. I nearly turned and fled on my weak legs, but the door clicked and swung open to reveal the most beautiful thing I'd ever seen.
Zach.
Man, I'd forgotten how gorgeous he was. Those gentle eyes of his, that square jawline holding his perfect features in place. I wanted to touch him so bad, but knew I had no right. I squeezed my fingers together, trying to control myself.
I had to say something. He was bugging out big time.
"Hi, Zach." The words barely made it out of my mouth.
He swallowed, gripping the door and just staring at me like I was an apparition.
"I um..." My voice was stumbling and tripping all over the place. Why hadn't I rehearsed a speech or something? I was usually always so prepared, but for one of the most important conversations in my life, I'd thought of nothing? I was such an idiot! I licked my bottom lip, buying precious seconds. "It's been... Well..."
"What are you doing here, Dani?" His voice was just a little icy. Soft, but cold.
I winced.
He called me Dani.
Man, I had so much explaining to do.