Read Until the Stars Fall From the Sky for Free Online Page B

as I go. I quickly shave and brush my teeth. I grab some Levi 501’s and light blue chambray shirt and put them on. I program Kiera’s address into my phone and climb into my truck. I can’t believe that I’m this nervous. I’ve been dating for half my life. What is so different about Kiera? Once I reach her house, I wipe my sweaty hands on my jeans and eat a couple of Tic-Tacs, just to be safe. I take a deep breath and exhale as I knock on her door.
    Kiera opens the door, and I am rendered speechless. I thought she was stunning when I saw her at the lake. Nothing prepared me for the shock of seeing her again.
    The first thing I notice is that she is wearing my jacket. It is so large on her that it is hanging off of her shoulder. It gives me an odd sense of pride to see her in it. Before now, I never really understood the appeal of letterman’s jackets. It is much clearer to me now because I would like to announce to the world that she is mine.
    She is even more beautiful than I remember. Instead of pigtails, her hair is in an up do, and she is wearing a sundress with spaghetti straps that highlight her figure beautifully. She is wearing some cool shoes that look like they have been hand-painted. When I finally regain my power of speech, I manage to stammer out “Kiera, you look amazing!” I have learned some things from my mom and my sister, so I hasten to add, “I really like your shoes.” Instantly, I wish that I had a delete button for my so-called conversational skills.
    At first, she seems puzzled by my admittedly odd greeting. She looked down at her feet and then back up at me. She gives me a dazzling smile. “Thank you. I love them too. They are from a company called Alegria. I have a bunch of different styles because it’s one of the only brands that I can wear.” She backs her wheelchair out of the way so that I can get through the doorway. “You can come in if you’d like, I just need to pick up my purse.” I step just inside the entryway as she grabs a leather backpack and hangs it on the back of her chair. “I’m ready to go, if you are.”
    I motion for her to go first as I respond, “Sounds good to me. Is there anything you need me to do?
    “It would be helpful if you can shut off the lights and shut the door behind me,” Kiera asks easily. “Is the blue truck yours?”
    For the first time, I consider my truck from her vantage point. Not only is it ugly as sin, my truck sits very far off the ground. I’m really embarrassed that I didn’t think about this ahead of time. I grimace as I answer, “Yes, it’s my truck.”
    She ponders the situation and offers a solution, “The way I see it, we have two choices. We can take my van, or you can lift me into your truck, and we can stick my chair in the back.
    “Do you have a preference?” I ask carefully, not wanting to offend her.
    I think she senses my discomfort, because she gives me an encouraging smile as she replies, “Nope, whatever works for you is fine with me. Now, if it were raining, I might give you a different answer because it is a pain to sit in a wet chair.”
    I return her smile and reply, “In that case, I vote we take my truck. You’ve given me a socially acceptable reason to hold you in my arms, and I’m sure as hell not going to turn that down.” Kiera blushes bright red and I wonder if I have pushed the boundary too far.
    Suddenly, Kiera looks up at me and winks, “I was hoping you’d say that. It was pretty comfortable in your arms the last time I was there.” I watch as she flushes even more.
    Her comment seems to take both of us by surprise. I chuckle softly and respond, “Well, I guess your chariot awaits.” I lift her up as gently as I can. Her arm slips around my neck for support. I notice that she inhales sharply, and I wonder if I am causing her pain. “Am I hurting you?” I ask with concern as I place her on the bench seat and reach across her to buckle her in.
    Kiera laughs as she blushes again and