Free Uncaged by Katalina Leon

one day, you will thank me for telling you to move on.”
    “Can we stay in touch and be friends?”
    “It’s a bad idea.”
    She looked hurt. “I’ll drop it.”
    “Christy, I meant—”
    “It’s okay. You listened and gave me a chance to say what I needed to say.”
    “I’m saying all the wrong things, aren’t I?” He glanced toward the door. “I’m going to ask Gee if he can put me in his room tonight.”
    “No, don’t do that. I’m the one who should leave.”
    “I’m not putting you out tonight. Besides, there’s nowhere else to go.”
    “It’s been a long day. I’m exhausted.” She plopped down in the easy chair. “Throw me another quilt. I’ll be asleep in ten minutes.”
    He rushed toward her and grasped her arm. “Get up. I’ll take the chair. You take the bed.”
    Her lips drew taut. “It’s your bed.”
    He tugged a little harder. “Please, I’m offering.”
    The line of her mouth remained resolute. “I’m fine here.”
    Taking hold of her wrist, he coaxed her to rise. “The bed is more comfortable. I’ll feel better.”
    Resisting his motions, she dug in like a badger. “I’ll stay.”
    “Sitting so close to the window, you’ll freeze. Don’t be so stubborn.” He leaned over, scooping her into his arms, quilt and all. After carrying her to the bed, he dropped her on the mattress.
    Landing on her side, she looked indignant. “That wasn’t fair.” Rising on her elbow, she cast the quilt aside and bolted toward the chair.
    “Oh no, you don’t!” He rushed toward the chair and launched himself into it at the exact moment Christy became airborne and landed in his lap.
    “Ouch!” She smacked down on him before sinking between his thighs.
    His arms locked around her waist when she tried to wriggle away. “Are you okay?”
    Heaving a deep breath. “Yes.”
    “Good.” He longed to keep her on his lap but released her instead.
    She walked over to the bed, threw herself down, and started laughing.
    For no reason, he laughed, too.
    “We must look foolish.”
    He laughed harder. “I’m sure we do.”
    Still laughing as she slipped her boots off. “You can have the damn chair.”
    “You can keep the damn bed.” Snatching a quilt for himself, he realized for the first time in a long while, he was happy.
     

Chapter Four
     
    Climbing under the covers, Christy settled into Mitchell’s bed. The red flannel sheets with snowmen printed on them looked too Christmasy for late March but felt cozy on such a stormy night. “Who’s going to turn out the lights?”
    “I will.” Mitchell tossed the quilt aside. “I’m going to brush my teeth.”
    She bolted upright. “I need to brush, too.”
    “I’ve only got one toothbrush.”
    “I carry a small armory. Fortunately, I’m prepared to fight plaque as well. There’s a mini in my purse.”
    Pointing toward the bathroom door. “Ladies first.”
    She entered the dark bathroom. “Where’s the light switch?”
    “Above your head. Pull the chain.”
    Flailing her hand at the air until a metallic link came to her hand, she gave it a tug. The single bulb glared. The tiny room was literally a plumbed closet with a sloped ceiling.
    “It’s not fancy,” he called from the far side of the room.
    Setting the tote bag on the sink, she hunted for the dental kit with its travel toothbrush and tiny tube of minty paste. “Fancy doesn’t matter.” She almost reminded him she’d spent months living with Reverend Simon in unplumbed cabins and earthen bunkers outfitted with foul latrines, but the past felt irrelevant.
    She squeezed speckled blue toothpaste onto the baby-sized brush as she looked in the bathroom mirror. Mitchell. His name floated through her thoughts as she cleaned her teeth. What a puzzle he’d become. Open and childlike one moment, full of brooding secrets the next. For years she’d carried a certain picture in her mind of who he might be, a warrior, hero, avenging angel, and ultimately fallen angel. All those