Read The Lies Uncovered Trilogy (Books 4, 5, and 6 of The Dancing Moon Ranch Series) for Free Online

man Rick was now, and she became preoccupied with him in a totally new way. It was disturbing and confusing.
    After a while she was able to quiet her mind, and before long, eerie, haunting sounds began to emanate from the bowels of the mountain. The whole legend of voices driving away evil spirits was nothing but legend, but as she listened to the ethereal sounds, she felt a calmness that was unexpected for such a disturbing time in her life. She also felt a need to verbalize things she never intended to talk about.
    Letting out a little audible sigh, she said, "I'm tired of having to fit into the box Justine and my father built for me. My whole life has been one of restrictions. Dress modestly. No dating in high school. Go to an all-girls' college where men won't be a distraction. Kissing leads to necking which leads to other things so don't single date, and on, and on."
    "Which they did so you wouldn't follow the path your mother took," Rick pointed out. "They care about you and now you resent them for it. You really owe them an apology."
    "Please don't start on that again," Sophie said. "Maybe I won't screw the first guy I meet, but I'm not going back to living like a nun either."
    "Yeah, I kind of got that impression," Rick said, "but a whole lot can go on short of being screwed. Do you even remember what that guy was doing when you were on his lap?"
    "No, and I don't need a reminder."
    "I think you do," Rick said. "You were about to let some nameless guy have sex with you because you were having a tough time at home. But this thing with you right now isn't about sex. It's about you destroying yourself to get back at your mother. And yes, Justine is your mother. She's been there for you since you were five."
    "You just don't understand," Sophie, said, "and I don't feel like trying to explain it. It's too complicated and too exhausting."
    Rick didn't respond, but after a stretch of silence, he said, "If you don't want to talk to me about this then I suggest you get counseling."
    "I suggest you get counseling," Sophie mimicked in a sing-song voice, then wondered why she reacted to Rick that way, when all he was doing was trying to help. But she didn't want Rick as a psychologist or a brother. The problem was, she didn't know how she wanted him.
    "This is going nowhere," Rick grumbled. He climbed out of the pool and tugged his tee shirt over his wet torso then shoved his legs into his jeans, and said, "Meanwhile, we need to get your car and your things from my mother's place."
    "Don't bother," Sophie said. "I already told you I'm staying with her." She stretched her arm out of the pool and reached for the towel, but before she could ask Rick to turn around so she could get out, his back was to her, but not before she caught the look of disgust on his face.
    "I'm sorry I'm a disappointment to you," she said, as she was drying off, "but I'm tired of living a life that isn't mine. Maybe the alcohol and pot made me a little uninhibited last night, and I did things I normally wouldn't do, but it was also sort of an awakening for me."
    "Yeah, it was for me too," Rick said. "I'll wait for you in my truck." He left the cavern and started down the trail.
    And for the first time since she'd known Rick, Sophie realized she no longer had him dancing to her tune. She got the distinct impression she no longer had him at all. It was a very sobering thought.

     
    CHAPTER 3
     
    When Rick returned to the house after leaving Sophie with his mother, he found his step-sister, Becca, sitting in the living room nursing the baby. He saw her first through the porch window as he'd approached, and he stood for a moment to take in the sight of her. It was a quiet scene, Becca and her baby, much like it was when Aunt Grace had a new baby. He could see the love and devotion on Becca's face as she looked down at her daughter, who looked up as she nursed, and who had already bonded with her mother.
    Then there were women like his mother, who should never