Free Soul Control by C. Elizabeth

trips, so it could have happened. Anyway, this war was supposed to be the ultimate of all wars with both sides using every warrior in their arsenal, and much more.”
    “What happened?” I breathed, completely enthralled.
    There was a fake surprise in his features as he slackened back a bit. “I can’t give the ending away,” he said, handing me the book.
    I gawked at it.
    He thrust it at me. “Here, you can borrow it. You’ll find it very fascinating.”
    Glancing quickly between him and the book, I insisted, “Nathanael, I can’t take it.”
    “Of course you can, my dear!” A big smooth, booming voice came from behind me.
    My body moved quickly around to see a very tall figure standing in the doorway, the same one that graced the hardware store’s window. He looked a lot like Nathanael, except his hair was slicked back with touches of gray running through it. It was longer, as well, and his eyes were dark like Job’s and Joshua’s. He had the perfect lips and high rosy cheeks and reminded me of those gods you see in picture books.
    Holding a drink in his hand, he pressed further into the room. “I’m afraid, Saydi, my son has yet to master the skill of enticing a young mind to the point they could never refuse such an offer.”
    Nathanael put his hand on the small of my back. “Saydi, this my father, Andrew Braxton.”
    “Hi, Mr. Braxton.”
    “Miss Gardiner, it’s nice to meet you. Now will you allow me to kiss the hand that seems to have my son completely enamored?” And without waiting for an answer, he took my hand in his and kissed it, then looked at me through his eyelashes. “Yes, enamored to the point that after walking you home, he retired to his room and wouldn’t come out.”
    I shot a look at Nathanael, who darted his eyes down with a childish grin on his red face.
    Mr. Braxton stood and waved his hand in the air. “I’m certain he told you he ran errands and didn’t feel much like visiting with his new friends. Truth be told, he was in his room daydreaming about how he was going to kiss you.”
    “Father!” Nathanael wailed.
    I giggled under my breath while a smile played around Mr. Braxton’s lips. It was cute to see his dad joke around with him.
    Mr. Braxton took the book from Nathanael and handed it to me. “Please, Miss Gardiner, it would give me great pleasure if you would read this. Nathanael told me how you were drawn to it. Besides, it will give all three of us something to talk about, other than the daily turmoil of living the life of a teenager.” He rolled his eyes, laughing at his own joke.
    Again he had me giggling, and I graciously accepted.
    “Well, I must take my leave. Work calls, and I only took a short break to meet you. And so I have.”
    It felt like I should curtsy.
    “Nathanael, ensure you get Miss Gardiner home on time.”
    “I will, Father.”
    Mr. Braxton practically floated from the room. “Good night,” he called back.
    “Good night,” I responded.
     
     

Ten
     
     
    With the book cradled against my chest, Nathanael walked me to my door, holding my hand and swinging our arms, then he started whistling.
    I giggled.
    Again he kissed my hand. “That’s what I like to hear.”
    A soft drumming pumped in my ears in anticipation. Is he going to kiss me? We stepped up to the door and he faced me. His eyes found mine—there was a concern that played around the edges of a softness he hid behind a mask. It was a guard hiding something deep, something he didn’t want anyone to see.
    He smiled. “This may sound crazy...” he stated gingerly. “But I feel like I’ve known you my whole life. The minute I saw you walk into Sloppy’s, I felt a connection even if you didn’t see me.”
    The feeling was mutual, and I couldn’t believe someone like him could be in my life. It felt so right, so fast. “I do too.”
    Air left his lungs in a spurt. “Whew! It took so long for you to answer I was ready to run.”
    Getting up the nerve, I slowly reached