Page 22 of Mountain Dreams

“I understand.”

“I feel so displaced. I thought I had a home, and now…” She turned away from him, but he didn’t go to her this time.

“I know this isn’t your home, but I want you to feel comfortable here.” With me, he wanted to add.

“It’ll take some time for everything to sink in.” She seemed to say it more to herself than him. Then she turned back around and smiled. “Thank you for letting me stay here.”

“You’re welcome. Do you need anything else before I turn in?”

She glanced at her watch. “It’s only nine o’clock.”

“I thought I’d watch TV in my bedroom so I don’t disturb you.”

“Oh.”

“Sorry there’s no TV in here, but you can go back downstairs and watch if you want to. If you get hungry or thirsty, feel free to raid the kitchen. Just don’t judge me for all the unhealthy snacks in the pantry.”

She smiled. “I might grab an unhealthy snack and then read in bed.”

He recalled how much she’d liked reading in school, and he’d noticed a paperback sticking out of her tote bag.

“Sounds good. Oh, and I have a bathroom in my bedroom, so the one across the hall is all yours. Feel free to litter the counter with products if you want to. I’m used to it from my sister.”

She laughed. “I’ll try not to make too much of a mess.”

“I guess I’ll see you in the morning.” He never thought he’d get to say that to her.

She seemed surprised by it too. “Okay.”

“Sleep well, Maddie.”

“You too.”

He resisted the urge to give her another hug. Instead, he turned and went out the door, closing it softly behind him.

Eight

Maddie tossed and turned in Cody’s twin bed, not because it was uncomfortable but because it was Cody’s bed! He’d probably slept in it as a teenager back when she’d first met him. She still remembered that day vividly…

Maddie entered the classroom for American history and glanced around, seeking a familiar face.

“Welcome. Have a seat anywhere you like,” Mr. Bryce, the teacher, said.

She saw a couple of girls she knew, but there were no empty seats beside them. Then she caught eyes with Cody Sawyer, someone she recognized but didn’t really know. He was part of the “popular crowd,” and she tended to hang around with the “bookish crowd.” They’d never had a class together before, and whenever she’d seen him in the hallways, he’d been surrounded by a group of people, usually girls. Now he was waving at her and motioning to the empty desk beside his.

Surprised, she glanced behind her to see if he was waving to someone else, but she was the only one standing there. Not wanting to draw more attention to herself, she crossed the room and slid into the empty seat.

“Hi. I’m Cody Sawyer. Nice to finally meet you,” he said and stuck out his hand.

Is he for real? He’s been wanting to meet me? “Hi. I’m Madison Harris.” She shook his hand, noticing it was warm and dry, not sweaty like teenaged boys’ hands often were.

“I know.”

She raised her brows.

“One of my friends already told me your name.”

She wanted to ask which one, but then she decided it didn’t matter. Cody had a reputation of being a big flirt, and she wasn’t about to fall for his charm.