Black and Blue

By D.R. Ryan

“The eyes were exactly as she had remembered them, cold and vacant, his irises indistinguishable from the colour of his pupils as if they had been swallowed by dark voids of emptiness. They were dead of any love, any compassion.”

Despite growing up in a world of privilege, Audrey Montgomery has spent most of her life sacrificing her own happiness and catering to her mother’s every demand. This quickly changes, however, when she falls for Logan, a handsome groundskeeper with a modest upbringing. Together, they dream of a future where they can be themselves and free of the constraints of their everyday lives...

...A future that Audrey’s mother, Ida, will never allow her to have.

Audrey is introduced to Colton- a wealthy businessman who is accustomed to always getting what he wants. Humiliated and scorned by Audrey’s rejection of him, it becomes evident that Colton will stop at nothing to keep Audrey in his malevolent clutches.

Audrey quickly realizes the lengths that both her mother and Colton will take to control her know no bounds. Trapped and at the mercy of those wish her harm, Audrey slowly becomes a hollow, empty shell of her former self. Meanwhile, as Logan struggles to free her, he is met by a similar fate, becoming nothing but a sacrificial pawn in Colton’s malicious game- a game he knows he can never win.

When all hope seems lost, it begs the question- will love ultimately prevail or are there some forces so strong that they simply cannot be overcome?

• Language: English
• Publisher: D.R. Ryan
• Release date: Jul 26, 2016
• ISBN: 9781370025695

D.R. Ryan

D.R. Ryan is the author of the debut fiction novel “Black and Blue”. She was born in Newfoundland, Canada, which is where she currently resides with her husband and pet rabbits. She has a master’s degree in psychology and currently works in the field of health research. A self-proclaimed true crime junkie, she also loves animals, traveling, and random adventuring. When not working or writing, she can usually be found spending time outdoors in the summer or hibernating with a warm blanket and good book in the winter. To learn more or get in touch with her, visit: www.dannaryan.com.

Book preview

Chapter 5

Chapter 6

Chapter 7

Chapter 8

Chapter 9

Chapter 10

Chapter 11

Chapter 12

Chapter 13

Chapter 14

Chapter 15

Chapter 16

Chapter 17

Chapter 18

Chapter 19

Chapter 20

Chapter 21

Chapter 22

Chapter 23

Chapter 24

Chapter 25

Chapter 26

Chapter 27

Chapter 28

Chapter 29

Chapter 30

Chapter 31

Chapter 32

Chapter 33

Chapter 34

Chapter 35

Chapter 36

Chapter 37

Chapter 38

Chapter 39

Chapter 40

Chapter 41

Chapter 42

Chapter 43

Chapter 44

Chapter 45

Chapter 46

Chapter 47

Epilogue

Chapter 1

It is in those few seconds during the transition between dreaming and wakefulness that reality becomes illusory and the line between actuality and fantasy begins to blur...

As a thin beam of yellow sunlight fought its way into Audrey Montgomery’s bedroom, she found herself snuggled under the warm embrace of her thick comforter, still clinging to the fabric of her imagination. Images of the dream she had just experienced bounced before her eyes and for mere seconds, she was left with a deep sense of contentedness. She could still feel the affectionate embrace and see the warm, blue, loving eyes gazing fondly into her own with almost perfect clarity.

In that second there was a rapid succession of knocks on her bedroom door and she was swiftly pulled from her moment of bliss to the harsh bitterness of reality. Sitting up in her king-sized, canopy bed and glancing around her large, elaborately furnished bedroom, Audrey’s mind slowly settled back into the present.

Come in! she yelled, turning her attention to the knock at the door.

The antique door handle clicked lightly as it turned over, and in stepped a refined looking middle-aged woman. Ida Montgomery was wearing sleek designer clothing that were perfectly tailored to fit her slender frame. Her dark hair, highlighted with subtle streaks of grey, had been styled and arranged into a sophisticated bun at the back of her head, and her makeup had been perfectly applied, right down to the deep crimson red colour coating her thin lips. It was not that she was an unattractive woman by any means, but there was something present in the strong set of her jaw line, the prominence of her cheekbones, the solemnity of her gaze, that made her appear slightly severe. Her eyes scanned the room before her and came to a stop as they made contact with her daughter, who was still curled amongst the tangle of sheets and blankets in her bed.

Are you feeling sick, dear? I can’t think of any other reason why you would still be in bed at this late hour, her mother asked in a voice that implied concern, but was dripping in disapproving undertones. She raised a perfectly coiffed eyebrow, waiting for her daughter to respond.

Audrey blushed instinctively, embarrassed that her mother constantly seemed to be disappointed with her behavior as of late, even more so than usual. No, mother, I feel fine. My personal trainer called yesterday to tell me she couldn’t meet with me this morning, so I thought I would use the time to catch up on some rest.

Her mother stared at her with a blank expression that her daughter couldn’t quite discern. Reflexively, Audrey ran her fingers through her tangled hair, trying to appear less unkempt.

Just because you aren’t taking any classes this summer doesn’t give you an excuse to become lazy and unmotivated, her mother replied, her tone scolding and all-too-familiar. Look at you, you’re a complete mess. Get up out of bed and do something with yourself.

Audrey fixed her gaze downwards as her mother made her way towards the large double-hung bay window and gave the silk woven curtains a harsh tug outwards. At once Audrey’s room was filled with beams of bright light as the sun radiated high in the sky above.

There, this room could use a little more light. Now make yourself presentable and find something useful to do for the day, Ida reprimanded harshly. With that, she turned on her heels and puttered her way back through the opened doorway.

Sighing deeply, Audrey threw the covers aside and slid her feet over the edge of her bed. The arguments and disputes with her mother were so frequent that she often wondered what it would be like to have a pleasant conversation with her. As she pulled her silk bathrobe around her slim frame, Audrey caught sight of herself in a floor-length mirror situated some distance across the room. She tried to refrain from viewing herself as her mother often seemed to view her- a disappointment. Throughout her twenty-two years of life Audrey constantly struggled with balancing her own desires against those her mother had ascribed to her. Her goals, her passions, her interests, never quite seemed to coincide with her mother’s expectations. Although she had grown up in a world in which every privilege had been made available to her, Audrey often felt trapped, as if she was drowning in the weight of expectations.

As she continued to watch herself in the mirror, the physical reflection that stared back slowly began to convey all of these doubts and fears. Before her was a girl with slumped shoulders, downcast eyes, a solemn expression threatening to overtake her beautiful features. Audrey allowed herself a few more seconds to peer at this girl, an image so well known to her, yet one that was hidden, covered-up when presented to the outside world.

Upon hearing the sounds of muffled voices trickling in through her window from the garden, Audrey snapped her head up, straightened her shoulders, lifted her chin and broke eye contact with the girl in the mirror. With her attention now diverted outward, she made quick strides to the window, tying her robe into a tight bow at her midsection. Squinting slightly as the bright sunlight intersected with her vision, she leaned towards the glass and gazed outwards towards the source of the voices.

Her eyes scanned the green, freshly groomed acres of land with a slight air of boredom. For anyone setting foot on this property for the first time, this would truly be a remarkable sight. Long, winding cobblestone walkways weaved themselves throughout lavish and vibrant flower gardens of every colour and variety. There were acres of lush green grass, perfectly pruned hedges and blossoming trees at every corner. Fountains and walking paths were placed strategically throughout the property to maximize the visual effect.

Audrey examined the entirety of the grounds from her view at the window, her eyes gradually falling upon three figures standing near the center of the yard. Two older men were stood facing a younger man, talking loudly and gesturing at various locations throughout the garden. The younger man stood at attention, nodding occasionally as he nervously shifted his grip on the handle of his shovel. Squinting at the image, she was suddenly captivated with curiosity, as she wasn’t accustomed to seeing new faces on the grounds. The two older men had worked on the property for years; Audrey had grown to know their faces well. The younger man, however, she couldn’t recall having ever seen before.

Leaning still closer to the window pane, Audrey focused her view on the unknown man. He was young, possibly the same age as her, but his tattered clothing, tanned complexion and tired eyes gave off the impression that he had experienced a life quite contrary to her own. Curiosity began to build towards the boy as she continued to scrutinize his appearance. He was quite handsome, that was without a doubt. He was tall with light brown hair that sat in wind-swept tangles across his forehead. His deep tan and strong build suggested that he was no stranger to hard and laborious work under the hot sun. Despite his dishevelled clothing and unkempt hair, however, Audrey noticed that he had a kindness about his features that she rarely detected in other people. Although he appeared somewhat nervous, his mouth was set in a pleasant smile, his light blue eyes full of kindness and life. He listened intently to the instructions that were being relayed to him by the other two men, nodding compliantly and wiping his soiled hands across his glistening brow.

Audrey continued to watch the exchange intently, unable to define precisely why she was so fascinated by this young man. There was something so familiar about him, something vague and intangible within his eyes that she couldn’t quite identify. During this moment of deep contemplation, one of the older men gestured towards the tall trees that were intricately wound around Audrey’s bedroom window. The young man glanced up, noticing the girl in the window for the first time and locking eyes with her. For a moment, Audrey found herself briefly lost in their soft blue, the colour radiating warmth and familiarity. An emotion arose within her, something she could only recall having felt in dreams, much like the one she had experienced that morning. The boy shifted the shovel to his left side and raised a hand in the air to greet her. With this, Audrey swiftly relocated her gaze to the floor, blushing as she turned away from the window. How foolish she must have appeared, standing there in her bathrobe, staring at a boy in the yard as if she had nothing more pressing to do with her time.

Hurriedly, she crossed the length of her large bedroom and made her way to the ensuite bathroom to begin preparing for her day. She reached into the shower, turning the nozzle and running the hot water, letting warm steam work its way throughout the room. Feeling increasingly relaxed, Audrey removed her bathrobe and stepped inside, letting the water massage her skin and cleanse her mind. There was something indescribably soothing about the way in which the shower stream trickled down her skin and danced against the ceramic tiles of the floor, creating intricate patterns and shapes. Letting her mind relax even further, Audrey chuckled to herself, thinking back to how silly she must have seemed, staring peculiarly at a stranger like that. Clearly she was suffering from boredom and in need of something more substantial to occupy her time while spending the summer at home from school.

As if on cue, her thoughts became suddenly occupied with the upcoming tasks she had to complete. Luncheons with friends, social gatherings in the evenings, fundraisers and events. These thoughts now occupying her fully, the memories of the mysterious boy in the yard slowly buried their way into the back of her mind as the steam arising from the hot water gently engulfed her.

~ * ~

The blistering sun was sitting high in the Virginia sky that afternoon and beating down on the earth with unrelenting heat. It was these sweltering temperatures that made those unfortunate enough to be outside drastically crave the comforting shade of a tree or the cooling nature of a light breeze. Logan Scott was all too accustomed to working in these kinds of conditions, however, and had never known the luxuries of resting idly in the shade or basking in the refreshing breeze of an air conditioner. Ever since he had been strong enough to lift a shovel, he had been working. Digging stake holes, shoveling dirt, assembling bricks, this is all he had known. Many people he had worked for would give him questioning looks, clearly curious as to why such a young man would ever willingly choose this line of work. For Logan, this was not a choice, but a necessity. Growing up without a father and having to support himself and a mother who chose to drown herself in cheap vodka every day rather than earn a living had forced him to take these jobs. How he envied those who could go to school and learn, those who could choose their own path in life, rather than being forced into a corner, with but one direction in which to exit.

Lifting his hand to wipe the thick droplets of sweat that were accumulating on his brow, Logan cautioned yet another glimpse in the direction of the girl’s window. He couldn’t explain why he routinely glanced back there, just that he had been doing it all afternoon. In all of his years working, he had never paid considerable attention to those who employed him. He was there to work, not to contemplate the lives of the rich or fantasize about what kind of life he would have if he were the one on the opposite side of the walls. Wealthy people in particular never did offer much of an appeal to him. There was something about their general sense of entitlement, the way they looked upon him, clearly acknowledging him as an inferior person. He often kept his gaze fixed directly on the work in front of him, in an attempt to block out the images of the home-owners sitting on balconies, fanning themselves in the shade, sipping cocktails, while he slaved away in the unrelenting heat. At the end of the day they would throw a cheque his way, just a meager portion of their unconstrained wealth. Pennies to them, life to him.

But there was something inexplicably intriguing about the girl he had spotted earlier today. Something in the way she was looking at him, something in the way she blushed and turned away when he had caught her meeting his gaze. It was much different from the way that most of the families he had worked for typically regarded him. Rather than scorn or pity, there was something akin to curiosity or admiration present in her eyes. Something desirable in her humility and the way she looked embarrassed when he had locked eyes with her. He couldn’t quite define what it was. There was no doubt she was an attractive girl. Even in those brief seconds in which their eyes had met, he could clearly see the beauty in her soft, subtle features. Her small stature, the way her long, dark messy curls framed her delicate face. The way her bright eyes widened and her full lips parted ever so subtly when she noticed him looking at her. Still, even beyond her physical appearance, there was something more there. Something that kept her image playing continuously on his mind as he dug his shovel deeper into the dirt.

He turned his head and checked the window again.

Chapter 2

Audrey watched the small droplets of condensation gathering on the side of her glass, slowly gaining momentum and merging with other beads as they streamed their way down, forming a tiny puddle on the coaster underneath. Bored, she pushed her drink to the side and switched focus to her cup of tea. She picked up her spoon and began stirring lazily, watching the fresh cream swirl in the middle and listening to the gentle clinking sound as the spoon made contact with the side of the mug. Focusing on this alone, she was able to drown out the incessant babble of her mother’s friends as they discussed yet another topic that she could not bear to feign interest in.

Audrey, must you continue to make that dreadful clinking sound? Please, sit up straight and try not to look so bored!

At the sound of her name being said in her mother’s scornful tone, Audrey sat at attention. Attempting to place an authentic smile on her face, she glanced around the table at her mother’s acquaintances, nodding in agreement and allowing herself a small chuckle from time to time whenever someone made an attempt at a joke.

Well, we just got back from the most amazing trip to Florence. Charles was occupied with business the whole time, of course, but that left me with so much time for shopping. And luckily our suite was right next to the Via dei Calzaiuoli...

Audrey kept her face animated and nodded on occasion, feigning as much intrigue as she could possibly muster. Inside, her thoughts were far away from the table and the superfluous chatter. As if her mind had a will of its own beyond her control, images of the boy in the yard began swirling in her head, dominating her imagination. She began wondering about his life, about what led him to this place, working these long hours in this blistering heat. He appeared to be of college age- was he a student working a summer job? Was there sadness or pain behind those seemingly friendly eyes? Unconsciously, Audrey retrieved her spoon and resumed stirring her tea while lost in contemplation.

...Richard hired him, but I’m a little reluctant because young men of that age tend to have a horrible work ethic. If he doesn’t prove his worth in the first couple of days, I’ll just fire him and find someone else. Grounds laborers are a dime a dozen these days.

The words of Ida Montgomery’s idle banter cut through Audrey’s thoughts and instantly brought her back to the present. Suddenly interested in the conversation, she returned her spoon to the saucer with a light clatter and shifted her gaze upwards.

Oh yes, we had a young one hired on last summer and had to get rid of him. We looked out one day to find him sitting down in the shade, as if he’s getting paid to lie around like a sloth! another woman retorted. She shook her head with disbelief as she lifted her tea cup to her mouth, jutting her freshly manicured pinky finger out to the side as if to display her refinement to the world. Audrey narrowed her eyes at the pinky, fighting the urge to grab it and pry it roughly back in place.

Ida laughed shrilly, Well, we will have to keep an eye on him to make sure that isn’t happening. As you all know, we recently expanded our estate so we have many acres of land that need to be cleared out and pruned. There’s really no way for us to accommodate incompetence. With that, she smiled smugly and ran her hand along her hair, ensuring that each strand was pinned back tightly into place.

I find young men of that age to be better workers. More willing to work long hours, and most of them don’t hassle you about extra pay, another one of Ida’s friends interjected. She sported a frumpy hair-do and wore a mask of makeup so thick, Audrey often suspected she would be unrecognizable if one were to catch sight of her before she was primped for the day. She was plump and round, but pride caused her to wear her designer clothing a few sizes too small, resulting in bulges, buttons being strained, and her large bosom spilling out over the top of her shirt.

Oh, extra hours were already negotiated with this young man. He was told he would have to continue until the work is completed for the day, as we are on a tight schedule. Of course, he never mentioned anything about requiring extra pay, which is one of the reasons we decided to keep him around, Ida said snidely.

Audrey could feel a strong sense of irritation welling up inside of her. At this last comment, she could do nothing but allow it to spill forth. Really, mother? You seem to have no trouble spending thousands of dollars on a purse, but yet you’re suddenly too cheap to pay someone a fair wage?! Her voice was strained and annoyed, but despite fear of her mother’s reprimands, she refused to bite her tongue.

Ida looked up sharply, her eyes piercing into Audrey’s, silently daring her to continue. The room suddenly felt icy cold as they sat in their respective seats, locked in a cold stare. Audrey could feel a distinctive chill climb its way up her spine, but she refused to look away. For too long she had been bullied into submission by her mother, and she was ready for things to change.

Expecting her mother’s voice to ring out loudly, Audrey was taken by surprise when Ida composed herself and addressed her in a calm demeanor. Go to your room, dear. The other women glanced awkwardly at each other around the table, clearly uncomfortable with the direction that the afternoon tea gathering was taking.

Audrey was tempted to back down. She was aware it would be much easier if she simply retreated to her room. A fabricated and forced apology at a later time would likely pacify her mother enough that they could continue their strained relationship without any further difficulties. But there was a force inside of her, controlling her, tempting her to press even further. Why mother? You made me come here so I can sit and listen to your friends banter about their manicures and their rich husband’s business trips against my will, and now you suddenly want me to leave? Make up your mind!

With Audrey’s final comment, a hush fell over the room. She could feel the tension mounting, rising higher into the air, pressing down on her chest, smothering her. She kept her attention focused on her mother, watching as her jaw began to clinch, her muscles tightening, her hands slowly constricting their grip on her tea cup. Her eyes were narrowed and focused, conveying a sense of ferocity that Audrey had only witnessed a few times.

Get out of here, now! her mother thundered in her most authoritative sounding voice. Audrey could tell that she wanted to say more, that she would have liked to continue telling Audrey everything that she lacked when it came to being a suitable daughter. However, the presence of her friends forced her to hold back, to try to maintain some sense of dignity and grace despite the circumstances.

There was no more room to challenge her mother, she had pushed it as far as she was willing to go. Visibly shaking with a mixture of fear and anger, Audrey stood up from the table and pushed her chair to the side with one swift movement. Nice seeing you all, she muttered as she turned on the spot and hastily fled from the dining room.

Dashing through the house, Audrey bypassed her room and instead headed towards the pantry, which had a back door leading out to the garden. She clung at the hair clip that had been painfully digging into the side of her head during the entirety of lunch and ripped it out, letting her curls fall loose and wild down her back. Once her feet hit the grass, she kicked off her shoes and ran barefoot, letting the humid air and gentle breeze overtake her senses and direct her on where to go.

~ * ~

The day seemed to be finally drawing to an end as the sun began shifting its place in the sky, no longer as hot and menacing as it had been. The trees and hedges began casting gentle shadows along the ground, and a sense of quiet and tranquility was beginning to set in. Logan had been piercing the ground with the sharp blade of his shovel for so long, that time had begun to lose any sense of meaning. He wore no watch, but the sun’s position in the sky gave him an indication that he had been here for a very long time. Standing back and surveying his work, he saw that he had completed a good amount for the day. The ground was slowly beginning to take shape, to flatten out. He glanced back at the house, ensuring that nobody was catching him taking this brief respite from his work. Sighing, he rested some of his weight onto the wheelbarrow behind him, relieving some of the pressure from his knees and feet. He had to admit that he enjoyed the quiet and peace that came along with a hard day of work. There was nobody around, no intruding noises, just him and his shovel. He could lose himself in the work in front of him and block out any thoughts of his life or any concerns for the future.

A sudden muffled wail accompanied by the sounds of quick steps pounding against the ground interrupted his thoughts and caused him to jump up from his perch against the wheelbarrow. Had he been caught slacking off? He glanced around nervously, scanning the area for the source of the noise. At once he caught sight of the girl- the girl from the window. She was running rapidly across the grounds with an expression of despondency on her face. Logan’s attention was immediately peaked and he continued to watch as she slowed her pace and ducked behind two large trees, now hidden from his view. He could hear her footsteps come to a halt and the sounds of her sobbing growing increasingly louder.

Logan glanced back down at his shovel. I should really get back to work, he reasoned with himself, it’s not my place to concern myself with the problems of these people. As he lifted his shovel back into the air, he paused again, the sounds of the sobbing forcing themselves into his head, blocking out any other coherent thoughts. What if she was sick or hurt? He couldn’t just ignore her, not offer his help… could he?

Resolutely, Logan placed his shovel on the gravelly earth next to his feet. He slowly made his way towards gap in the tall trees where he had seen the girl enter. He glanced back at the house nervously. If someone were to see him following her like this, he would undoubtedly be fired and out of work. He reached the trees and hesitantly slipped in between them the way the girl had just done minutes before. Stepping inside, he surveyed his surroundings. The trees and hedges had formed a small clearing, blocking itself from the view of the house. Inside, amongst the green grass and wild flowers, was a large stone wishing well. It looked old and rugged and in need of upkeep, but still had a small wooden barrel hanging above it by a slightly-frayed yellow rope. The girl was sitting next to it, her tear streaked face staring up at the sun, her back against the corroding stone.

At once she looked up at him, startled. She quickly brought her sleeve to her face, wiping the tears away, embarrassed that he had seen her. Logan held out his hand towards her in an apologetic gesture and began to back away, ashamed that he had overstepped his bounds and interrupted a private moment.

Wait, the girl’s voice rang out, crackling under the strain that the crying had brought on.

Logan turned on his heels, facing the girl again. I am so sorry, ma’am, he apologised abruptly. I heard you crying in here, I thought you might have been hurt. I didn’t mean to intrude.

The girl sniffed and continued to wipe her eyes with the back of her sleeves.

Fumbling in his pockets, Logan produced a handkerchief. He still wasn’t sure why he carried it around with him. It had been his fathers, and of course, was no longer of any use to him in jail. Despite his deep-seated feelings of anger towards his father, he had been carrying this around in his pocket for the last ten years. Cautiously, he reached his hand out in the direction of the girl, presenting her the cloth. She gazed up at him, a confused expression on her face. Then slowly, she pulled herself up from the ground and made a few steps towards him. She reached her hand out and accepted the cloth, her pale hands making contact with his, which were rough and tanned. For a moment he entertained the idea of taking her hands, feeling their smoothness between his, basking in how gentle and soft they must be. As quickly as this entered his mind, he dismissed it, thinking of how ridiculous he was to ponder such things.

The girl dabbed her face gently with the cloth, slowly wiping away her sadness, revealing a startling beauty underneath. Logan glanced around the clearing awkwardly, unsure of where to look.

Thank you, she said, handing him back the cloth. Oh, I guess I should take this back into the house and wash it out for you, sorry! she exclaimed, her cheeks revealing her embarrassment once again.

Logan stared at her, taken slightly aback. It was unlike any of the people he had ever worked for to treat him with such dignity or respect. Why wasn’t she telling him to go away and mind his own business? Why wasn’t she ordering him back to work?

That’s quite alright, he said, taking the cloth from her hand and placing it back inside the pocket of his ragged shirt.

Wow, it’s really hot out here, isn’t it? the girl exclaimed, fanning herself with one hand while she steadied herself with the other against the well. She paused for a minute, appearing to be in deep contemplation. Suddenly looking apologetic, she turned towards Logan, facing him. Oh, I’m sorry. I must sound silly to you, complaining about being outside for a few minutes when you’re out here working in this all day. She fidgeted with the sleeve of her blouse, casting her eyes down towards the ground again. Would you like me to fix you some lemonade or iced tea?

This time, Logan could do nothing to mask the startled expression that overcame his facial features. Oh, no, ma’am, that’s quite alright! he exclaimed.

She looked at him for a minute, scrutinizing him. You don’t need to call me ma’am, she finally said. My name is Audrey.

Logan.

Nice to meet you, Logan. The girl held out her hand and he reached out to take it, stepping forward and bridging the distance between the two of them. Her hands were just as soft as he imagined, cool and smooth to the touch. The handshake lingered a few beats longer than what would be expected of a standard greeting between two strangers. Logan finally let go, regretting it almost immediately as her hand slipped between his and the distance between them was restored.

I apologize if I’m overstepping my boundaries by asking this, but are you okay? I couldn’t help but notice that you look really upset. Logan spoke softly, worried of offending the girl and scaring her away.

Audrey let out a sigh and glanced around the clearing. You may regret asking me this, as it’s going to be a long story... she trailed off, flashing him a sheepish smile.

Logan turned his head, glancing back in the direction of his shovel. Shrugging softly, he lowered his tired figure down into the grass of the clearing. I’ve got nowhere to be.

Chapter 3

The summer days began to slowly whittle away as Audrey fell back into her daily routine. She had resolved things with her mother and returned to engaging in the standard activities of attending luncheons, shopping and hosting dinner parties. Despite the fact that she would normally have found herself bored with this lifestyle, she now had one item added to her routine that worked to break up the monotony of her daily life. Nearing the end of each afternoon, when the sun began to shift slightly in the sky, she would find herself heading to the clearing, sitting and enjoying the gentle breeze as it rustled the flowers and weaved its way through her hair. It would usually only be a matter of minutes before a nervous young man would squeeze his way through the trees, making his way towards the center of the wishing well and sitting himself down upon the grass near her.

They would discuss things; their lives, regrets, hopes and wishes. There was something about the ease at which they talked, the way they seemed to be able to share personal stories without editing or holding back, that neither of them were accustomed to. Audrey treasured these moments and this brief respite from her everyday life. Coming from her world, she had always felt alone, as if nobody understood her or even tried. She recognized the unusual way in which Logan looked at her while she was talking, the way he tilted his head slightly to the side as if he was truly listening to what she had to say. She discussed things in her life, her family, her feelings of isolation. What it was like to grow up in privilege, both the bad and the good. He told her about his family, his father being sent to prison for trafficking and smuggling drugs, amongst a slew of other crimes, his mother’s depression and alcoholism leading him to take on the role of caregiver and bread-winner for the family. Although they both had such different experiences, they could relate to each other, empathise with each other, listen while abstaining from judgement. They barely knew each other, but yet, they felt as if they had always known each other.

On one particularly mild July afternoon, Audrey was stretched out in the grass, propped up on her elbows and gazing at the intricate patterns of clouds forming in the sky. A slight rustling sound in the trees briefly diverted her attention, and she turned her head to see Logan stepping into the clearing. He sauntered over towards her, still projecting an air of awkwardness, as if he feared at any point she might simply dismiss him or scold him for neglecting his work duties. She offered him a warm smile, attempting to ease his anxieties.

He made his way towards her and lowered himself into the grass. She couldn’t help but notice the way the wind swept his light hair across his forehead into his eyes, or the way the exposed bronze skin on his arms sometimes glistened with tiny droplets of sweat. He sat at a safe distance, as he had been doing for the last few weeks. To Audrey, his location demonstrated his willingness to be near her, yet his weariness about getting too close. She watched as his eyes made their way upwards to watch the clouds slowly dancing and shifting in the sky above them. She allowed herself a few seconds to study him, the content expression on his face, the warmth in his eyes, the way in which the corners of his mouth turned up slightly. He seems happy, she thought, and this somehow radiated outwards, making her feel warm and contented in return.

Audrey was suddenly very aware of the space between them. Looking at him sitting in the grass, eyes cast upwards, body relaxed and comfortable, she was filled with the overwhelming urge to bridge the gap that separated them, to be near him in some small way. How was it that despite the conversations they had engaged in, they had not shared a single moment of contact apart from the first time they had shaken hands? Did he want to keep his distance for reasons other than fearfulness? Audrey allowed this thought to enter her mind only for mere seconds before banishing it. The space between them now seemed magnetized, a force beyond her control pulling her in, closer to him.

Audrey briefly contemplated the idea of getting up, walking towards him, taking his hand in hers. She had been taught her whole life that such behavior was unacceptable. She was a young lady of class, a young lady that should merely sit back and wait for young, respectable men to begin courting her. Bold moves were not an option. Contemplating this line of thinking for a moment, she realized that in the past, she had rarely accepted such rules. On the surface, perhaps, she had acquiesced, oftentimes simply to avoid conflict or to smooth things over. Thinking back, she had rarely believed in what she was doing, her actions were always completed out of habit, mechanical behaviours void of any real meaning.

Without any further thought, Audrey got to her feet and began taking steps forward, steps towards the boy in front of her. At the sound of her movements, Logan’s eyes automatically shifted from the sky to the girl walking towards him. Overcome with sudden bravery, she kept eye contact with him and slowly lowered herself onto the grass, just inches from him. He looked at her with an expression she couldn’t quite decipher. Confusion? Anxiety? Desire? It was almost impossible for her to tell; his eyes were deep blue voids of mystery.

The inches that separated them seemed to buzz with electricity, she could almost feel the forces drawing them to each other, the need to touch him overpowering. Unable to resist, she reached out her smooth, pale hand and placed it on his. He responded instantly, turning his palm upwards, closing his fingers around hers. The electricity continued to surge between them. She stared down at their interlocking hands, hers, delicate and soft, displaying a life of ease and luxury. His, rough and scarred, showcasing years of hardship and suffering. It was strange how two very different sets of hands could come together and fit so perfectly. As if both were part of a jigsaw puzzle, created specifically to fit together despite their striking differences.

His eyes moved slowly across her face, as if he were trying to see into her mind, read her thoughts. At once, his hesitant voice cut through, breaking the lengthy silence. "How do you feel about meeting