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

eyebrows come together. Smiling, I shake my head.
    “ I asked you first.” It’s amazing how difficult this girl is. Her over-confident smile and intense stare have given way to a surprised girl who’s hiding something, literally, and I intend to figure it out. Not that I need more hiding or more games in my life, but she’s proving to be irresistible. She pulls at me like no one ever has, and it’s getting harder to keep acting like I don’t notice her. Standing near her slows the spinning confusion in my head because I’m focused on her. That both scares me and makes me want to stand closer yet.
    Gracie grabs my forearm, pulling me from my thoughts, and looks over her shoulder once more. I try to follow her eyes, but she takes off down the porch steps, pulling me with her. We round the corner of the huge house before she stops and presses her back against the wood paneling. Her chest rises and falls with fast breaths. She turns to me with this expression that makes me want wrap her up in me and never let her go. Her eyes gleam with pure trouble, reflecting mischief and adventure. Her lips pull into a genuine smile that would bring anyone to their knees. She digs her nails into the skin of my forearm just as the screen door slams. I look behind me then back to Gracie. I’m confused. She pulls her other hand out from behind her back, and puts her finger to her lips. She’s holding a small, leather bound book in her hand.
    Moving forward again, she crouches to pass under the windows until we duck behind the house.
    “ Gracie? What’s going on?” Concern coats my voice, which is very strange for me. I’m usually good at locking that up.
    “ Can I trust you?” She leans into me, and I step back until my back hits the wall. God dammit. I feel like I’m 'the girl'. I even press my hands against the panel so I don’t touch her.
    “ Uh, yeah.” What am I supposed to say? I’m on her farm in the middle of an ocean of corn, soy, and hay, I’m not sure why I would be untrustworthy.
    “ Then chase me.”
    She starts walking backwards, and my head is clogged with a giant cloud of confusion.
    “ What?” The word comes out crooked, if that’s even possible, but I have no idea what she’s doing. She keeps walking backwards, away from the house.
    “ You wanna know where I’m goin’, you’re gunna have to chase me.” That smile is back. The real one. The one that has trouble written all over it. The one that’s going to get me into trouble. That accent, pure and smooth but filled with twang. I’m beginning to think this is the girl she’s hiding from.
    “ Chase you? To where?”
    “ Well, if I told ya that, Bentley McKinna, it would ruin the chase.”
    And with that, she turns and runs. My feet are stuck to the ground as I watch her. Her hair streaming out behind her, her long legs pushing forward.
    Like something jumpstarts my brain, I snap out of it and take off after her. It doesn’t take much to catch up. I am what some might call a gym rat. Appearances, and all. Part of my job.
    I’m soon keeping pace with her, but she knows the farm better. She doesn't lose speed as she crosses an open space between two huge tractors, but I have to slow down so I don’t break my leg. She makes a sharp left and skids around the corner of a small run down barn. My chest is heaving, but she stops and turns, her face as smooth and relaxed as if we were just standing around chatting. Her hands are on her hips and her shoulders hunched forward.
    “ What was that all about?” I point behind me then to her.
    “ This is my spot. No one knows about it.” She steps over to the old barn. It’s obviously not used anymore.
    “ It looks like it’s going to collapse.” I scan the warped boards with paint peeling and flaking onto the tall brown grass that is taking it over. The building has a severe lean that suggests it should be burnt to the ground.
    Something flickers across Gracie’s face resembling sadness but is