Read Under the Dusty Sky (Holloway Farms) for Free Online Page A

didn’t leave you. She left us, Graceland. All of us. I would never leave you. Not like she did.”
    I force back the tears that burn and again have to swallow the hurt. I nod, and Hunter pulls me in for a quick one-armed hug.
    “ The day will come when you have a chance to get off the farm. Don’t tell me you wouldn’t take it. I know you’d be lying.” He nudges me again and winks.
    He’s right. I would. I'm trying. Why else would I need my license so bad? I’ve already made the appointment to take the test, and I don’t even know how to drive yet.
    “ Fine,” I say through a smile.
    Hunter pats my cheek and stands up, holding out his hand. I let him pull me up and into a hug.
    “ You’re the best mom a girl could hope for.” I laugh into his chest, and he shakes me.
    “ Thanks, kid.” He kisses the side of my head quickly and turns to leave, pausing at the door. “It’s noon. Do you really need to start getting ready now? It’s just the Kick-Off, and you’re gunna be gross by the end of it anyway....Oh, and Also, I might let the twins give you birthday bumps this year. Just a heads up.”
    “ I retract all former praise of your mothering,” I say, shaking my head. Plus the twins won’t dare, not with the dress I’ll be wearing.
    Hunter laughs and shuts the door.
    The Summer Kick-Off is like a big town barn dance. It happens every year around my birthday. Sometimes they’re the same day, but not this year though. This year they had to bump up the date because of some Rodeo thing, so technically I don’t turn sixteen for just under two weeks, but my family always celebrates my birthday on this night. It’s one of the best memories I have. When I was twelve, everyone in town sang for me, I danced with Dermott O’Hale, and he was a good dancer. He’s also a good kisser. He was my first kiss, and it was perfect.

CHAPTER 8
    Bentley
    I’m so sick of being perfect. No, not actually perfect but expected to be so. Bentley McKinna, the poster child. The heir to an empire, the next in line of fake royalty. I don’t want any of it. I toss my cell phone into the air a few more times before I read the text again. I’m over my initial shock that my mother has actually learned how to text, and now I’m just pissed. She hasn’t stopped sending me the same message repeatedly for days. I stab out her number and tap my foot on the porch railing. Leaning forward on one hand, I look out over the Holloway farm. It’s quiet. So quiet. All I hear is the ringing of the phone.
    It clicks as she answers.
    “ So have you come to your senses yet, Benny?” My mother’s smooth high-pitched voice sounds. I can hear a faint tone of irritation, but she’s keeping it cool, which means there are people there. Faking it.
    “ Hi, Mom.” I turn quickly and lean against the porch railing. My voice is just as smooth as hers, as I have learned from the best.
    “ Well?” She breathes out loudly.
    “ Well, what?”
    “ Are you coming home, Bentley? Are you giving up on this hippie ‘finding yourself’ journey and ready to do what you’re obligated to do?”
    I grit my teeth just as the screen door slams, and my head snaps up. Gracie stops to look at me with a scrunched up expression. She looks like I just caught her running away. I probably look guilty of something too, the way my eyebrows are raised and my mouth’s open to yell at my mother.
    “ Benny? Are you still there? Jesus, answer me. I don’t have all day.” My mother’s voice comes from the speaker, and I clear my throat.
    “ I, uh, can’t talk right now.” I tap the end button. My mom hangs up on me all the time, so I don’t feel even a little bit guilty. We only have to pretend when we’re in public.
    “ Where are you off to?” The way Gracie’s dark eyes widen and she swings her arms behind her, hiding the object in her hands, I know she wasn’t expecting me. She looks over her shoulder then back at me.
    “ Who were you talking to?” Her