Page 50 of Shiver

He led her into the kitchen, where she poured them both cups of coffee, then sat next to him at the table.

“It’s really okay,” he said encouraging her. “I’m not here to judge.”

“What do you want to know?”

“Let’s start at the beginning. Start with Tommy Marshall.”

She nodded; it was inevitable that he’d find out. She couldn’t hide from what happened, but still, she was reluctant to let her mind go back to that day fifteen years ago. “As far back as I can remember I’d had a normal life. Some would even say an ideal life. I grew up in a small town in Washington State.” She took a long sip from her cup. “Every free moment I had I played in the forest.”

He nodded, encouraging her to continue.

“That particular day was one of those rare sunshine-filled days when the big leaf maples with their thick undergrowth of ferns and ivy came to life in a sea of green.” The memories started filtering back. “Tommy was my best friend and closest neighbor.” A small smile touched her lips. “He had stepped out of the bushes, joining me on a rock beside the river with a large bowl of wild raspberries in his hand.”

She remembered he’d handed her the bowl and she’d taken a bite of the soft fruit, all the while wondering if he’d noticed her chest had begun to develop. She closed her eyes as the memories of that long-ago day washed over her and suddenly she was thirteen years old again, and Tommy was the light of her life.

Wanna go for a swim? he asked, a wicked grin splitting his face.

You crazy? That water’s freezing.

I’ll keep you warm.

He waggled his eyebrows and she imagined him holding her tight, the way they do in the movies, causing a rush of embarrassment to streak across her cheeks.

Don’t be silly, Tommy Marshall,she said and, laughing, threw a handful of river pebbles at him.

Come on, Devra. You’re thirteen years old now. Don’t you think it’s time you stop acting like a kid? He reached out and touched the daisy she had tucked behind her ear.

A strange rush of excitement quickened her blood, making her almost dizzy.W-what do you mean? she stammered. How was she still acting like a kid?

We could…um. I mean, how about if we kissed?

Shock washed over her and her heart started to pound. Tommy had never talked to her that way before. Though she had to admit she liked it, just a little. She did want to kiss him, had even dreamed about kissing him. He must have read the look on her face, for he pushed the raspberry bowl nestled between them to the side and leaned forward, his lips inches from hers.

She stared into the green depths of his eyes, afraid to move.

Close your eyes, he whispered.

Obediently, she did, as anticipation rushed through her. His soft lips falling tenderly across her own sent her heart soaring.

A twig broke.

The blood rushed to her head, making it swim.

A shadow fell across her face.

Laughter bubbled inside her. She was so deliriously happy.

A sharp thud.

Tommy fell to the side, his shoulder knocking into her.

Devra opened her eyes.

“I can’t,” she said to Riley. “I can’t go back there.” Her heart was pounding so hard she could barely breathe.

“You can. He can’t hurt you. I’m here.” He hesitated a moment then pulled her onto his lap and wrapped her in his arms. “I’m right here. Tell me what happened.”

Her first instinct was to pull away. But he was so warm and comforting, and she felt safe in his arms, safer than she ever remembered feeling. She took a deep breath and continued. “Tommy and I were…talking by the river. He gave me my first kiss. My eyes were closed, and the next thing I knew he was laying on the rocks in the shallow water. Blood was oozing from the side of his head and running down his cheek.”

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