The Scarlett Legacy (Woodland Creek)(22)

A young girl’s laughter made Evie smile as she glanced over her shoulder toward the family sitting around their campfire not too far away. Evie and Parker were comfortable with each other. The silence didn’t bother either of them. As children, their families would come out here on some summer weekends, and Evie and Parker would run and play in the woods that they looked upon at that moment.

Memories of her first time seeped into her mind, making her blush as she chewed her fries. It had happened in one of Nightmoon Creek’s cabins over the summer.

She would never forget it. She’d waited so long, and couldn’t be happier with her choice. Every time she thought of that magical night she smiled.

Evie was happy despite what was going on in her world.

A soft breeze flew through, bringing the smell of pine along with it. She gave him a sidelong glance and he noticed. He reached over and gave her hand a squeeze.

She couldn’t lose him. Whatever Avalon had in his mind worried her.

Her attraction to him worried her even more.

She sighed and closed her Styrofoam takeout box. “Thank you for this, Parker. I know you wanted to take me out and show me off, but there’s no way I could’ve faced the townspeople so soon after what happened to Hugh.”

“I know. People can be so obnoxious sometimes. It’ll all blow over in a few weeks, and I will show you off then,” he said with a smile.

His smile was contagious. She looked off to the forest. Sometimes she was drawn to it. She just wanted to run free like a child, with no worries or cares. It was as if something pulled her to it, and yet she resisted.

“You ever think about leaving Woodland Creek?”

Parker took a sip of his root beer and shrugged. “Sure. Sometimes. What about you?”

Evie nodded. “I love Woodland Creek and all, but I wonder what it would be like to live somewhere else.”

“Like where?”

“Maybe New York, Paris… I don’t know. There are a million places I’d like to see.”

“So, you’re saying you want to leave now?”

Evie rubbed her. “Maybe.”

Parker set his drink down and reached for her hand.

She didn’t resist when he pulled her onto his lap. She straddled him and looked deep into his eyes. “Would you come with me if I left?”

“In a heartbeat,” he said.

A smile stretched across her lips as she searched the hazel depths of his eyes. She could see herself having kids with him. She could see a life with him — one where she could be her own person, and do what she wanted.

Maybe Wes and Adelaide would be all right without her. Wes and Olivia could have children and there would be happiness, hope, and laughter in the halls.

All she knew was that something deep down inside urged her to get away. She’d never felt the warning so strongly before.

Too many secrets were buried in that town — and her father’s secret haunted them all.

Parker brushed her hair from her face to get a good look at her. “I knew you wanted to see the world, but you’re making it sound as if you want to leave tonight.”

Evie wanted to tell him everything. Tears stung the back of her eyes. She fought to keep them at bay. She’d never been so afraid in her life.

“If I did, would you come?”

He searched her eyes, worry filling his own. “What’s wrong? Are you about to cry?”

She closed her eyes and leaned over to bury her face in his neck. “So much is wrong, Parker. You can’t even imagine. Why can’t I live a simple life with a normal family?”

“Your family is a little weird, but they aren’t that bad.”

Evie snorted. “You have no idea.”

“But why the urgency? What aren’t you telling me?”

“I just want to go. I want to be free. I just can’t go without you.”

“What about classes? We only have a few months left.”

Evie pulled back. She cradled his face in his hands and looked pointedly at him.

“I don’t have a few months left.”

Alarm flashed in his eyes at her words. He gripped her by her shoulders.

“What’s going on, Evie? Did someone threaten you? Tell me who and I will kick their ass.”

She shook her head. The look in his eyes frightened her. He was serious. She knew better than to tell him the truth. Boxer or not, she knew he would be defenseless against a wizard.

“Then what is it? Are you sick or something?”

Biting her lip, Evie tossed her head back and looked up at the moon.

“I can’t tell you too much. Not unless you go with me.” She looked back down at him. “I’ll tell you everything if you come with me.”

“Everything?”

“Yes,” she said, nodding. “Everything.”

Parker pulled her into his chest and hugged her tight. She felt safe in his arms even though she knew he couldn’t protect her.

“Fine,” he said. “We can leave tomorrow.”

Evie shook her head. “Tomorrow might be too late.”

“It won’t. You’re staying with me tonight. One last night in Woodland Creek. I’ll protect you. I won’t let you out of my sight.”

She sighed. He would never understand until she told him the truth. She had to try once more. “Why not tonight?”