Read Shelter You for Free Online Page A

conclude that avoidance will work best for tonight.
    All of my questions and concerns will just have to wait till morning. I feed and change Lily, get her situated in her bassinet, turn down the lights and settle into my new but temporary comfy bed. I shut my eyes and force myself to clear my mind, to let the stress of the day and the last few weeks go if only just for a little while. Before long I fall asleep and have perhaps the best night’s sleep I’ve had in a long time.
     

 
    A crash of thunder causes my eyes to snap open. I take in the unfamiliar surroundings as confusion hits. I roll onto my side—searching for Lily, and see her bassinet next to my bed. Peeking over, I take in the sight of her sleeping peacefully. I look out the window and remember the events of last night as I watch the rain fall. It all comes rushing back: Logan, coming to my rescue, sweeping me away to his castle like a white knight come to save the damsel in distress. There were no promises made between us, no vows of love or lust, but still there was something there. A sliver of attraction, an invisible pull drawing us together and for now it’s enough. I’m not ready for more and he’s likely not willing to give it but it’s still more than I could have ever hoped for in my situation. So why does my mood not reflect the optimistic thoughts in my head? Why do I feel like the unsteady raindrops that fall against the window, dark and gloomy, unwelcome. It’s because I’m living a lie, because to Logan I’m “Kelly” and Mia is just a girl who I left behind in Florida. She’s someone I left behind the moment a tiny little fist wrapped itself around my fingers; that’s when I ceased to exist. The only problem is, I miss who I used to be, miss my identity and I want to share that with Logan, want him to know the real me. I want to be able to tell him as much of my story as I can, fill in the gaps of my past and hope to god that he’s still willing to stick around after. Even if only as a friend…I think I can live with that.
    The decision is made. Being honest with Logan is my only real option. I can’t feel good about accepting his generosity or hospitality any other way. If Lily cooperates with her normal schedule, I have about another hour before she wakes up for a feeding. I leave my bedroom, making my way downstairs in search of Logan. The butterflies in my stomach take flight, alerting me to just how nervous I really am about coming clean about my past and with a cop no less. I give myself a mental pep talk, reminding myself that I’m eighteen now and no one can force me to go back home. I tell myself that I don’t need his approval or acceptance; I’ve made it this far on my own, I’m sure I can keep on going.
    When I reach the kitchen I see Logan sitting at a small bistro style table, drinking a cup of coffee. He looks up at me, our eyes lock and my nervousness becomes worse. My senses are heightened. I can tell there’s something wrong.
    He looks cold almost devoid of emotion. Maybe he’s changed his mind about me and Lily staying here now that he’s had a chance to sleep on it, a chance to think about what it really means to have us here. Biting the bullet, I decide to make the first move. I walk further into the kitchen and give him a timid smile.
    “Good morning,” I say softly.
    He closes his eyes and rubs the bridge of his nose between his thumb and his forefinger. He releases with a sigh and looks back up at me. “Good morning, Kelly… I’m sorry, I meant Mia .”
    The moment he says my real name, my stomach drops. I feel lightheaded, like I might just pass out from the shock of hearing that name coming from his lips. My heart starts to race in my chest, mimicking the sound of the rain drops pelting on the shingles that cover the roof.
    “That is your name, isn’t it? Mia ?” He reaches into his back pocket and pulls something out, it looks like…a passport. “Mia Reynolds of Winter Park, Florida,”