This Side of the Sun (The Sun Trilogy) Read Online Free Page A

were anticipating a lengthy investigation and that area of the town would be out of commission until it could be rebuilt. They were predicting an economic hardship for the area. The death toll was still coming in, but currently at twenty confirmed lost. There were six people in critical condition at Harborview Hospital in Seattle, and at least another sixteen at local area hospitals with varying degrees of injuries. The gravity of the situation began to hit me like a ton of bricks, as did the reality that I very well could have been included in that death toll. Not to mention the tiny baby Saul had gone back for. I wasn't ready to shed tears. I wasn't sure what I wanted or needed to do. I took a deep breath and hung my head.
    The sofa behind me squeaked. Startled, I turned to see Everett sitting up.
    “Everett, I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to wake you.”
    “You ok, Hat?”
    I shrugged. “I guess. A little sore.”
    He stood and walked over to me.
    “That’s not what I mean. You’ve been through a lot. Are you ok, like, emotionally?”
    I bit my lip and cracked my knuckles. “I think so. Glad to be alive.”
    Soon he sat beside me and wrapped an arm around me. “Me too, Hattie. Me too.”
    His embrace felt like just a bit more than that of a friend, and made me tense slightly.
    “Where’d your mom go?”
    “She had to go home to take care of the dog. She said she’d be back and make us all breakfast.”
    “That’s nice of her.”
    “Did you want to talk about what happened?”
    I shook my head as he tightened his arm.
    “Ok, but let me know if you need me to lend an ear, ok?”
    “Thanks, Everett.”
    I smiled at him. As I started to turn my head away he put his palm on my cheek. I knew by the look in his eyes that he was looking at me not as a friend or a sister, but rather as someone he might love. My core went cold as he leaned in, presumably trying to kiss me.
    I backed away just a bit. “Everett…”
    He sighed and looked at me, not letting go of my face.
    “I’m sorry,” I said. “It’s just…things are really crazy right now. I can’t handle more craziness on top of it all.”
    He took his other hand and put it on the other side of my face. “I’m sorry, Hat.”
    I put my own hand over one of his. “I know. I should go back to bed.”
    He nodded and slowly let go of my face. “I think I’ll go for a run. See you in the morning?”
    “Yeah, sure.”
    We both stood and went our separate ways. The last thing I wanted to do was hurt him.
     

CHAPTER 4 ~ THE SIMPLE THINGS
     
    I went back to bed and managed to sleep for a couple more hours. I woke to the smell of cooking bacon and coffee. I knew that Miranda must have returned, so I drug myself out of bed and dressed in a pair of tight cotton exercise pants and a t-shirt before heading across the hall to use the bathroom. I was ravenous and anxious to get downstairs to eat, which made my trip to the bathroom brief. My hair in a messy ponytail, I hurried down the stairs despite sore muscles from the day before.
    “ Mornin’ Glory!” chirped Miranda when she saw me enter the kitchen. “You’re just in time for breakfast.”
    “Hey sis,” said Joe. “Get some sleep?”
    “A bit. Any news on what happened yesterday?” I asked. My need to know was growing.
    “They said investigating could take weeks,” said Justine after swallowing her coffee.
    “Hattie, have you seen Everett?” asked Joe.
    I sat down in an empty chair at the kitchen table and looked up as Miranda handed me a cup of tea. “Thanks, Miranda.” I looked at Joe as I blew the steam away from the top of the mug.
    “Everett?” asked Joe again.
    “He went for a run early this morning,” I said simply. I wondered if somehow Joe knew about my little incident with Everett during the night.
    “Did I hear my name?” I heard Everett say as he shut the front door. He was still dressed in spandex shorts and a tank top from his run. He grinned at me, a little longer than made