Free Valley of the Moon by Bronwyn Archer Page A

late, okay?”
    Caleb. I hadn’t heard a thing from him since that stupid selfie he sent me. Either he got swept away in an avalanche, or he’s just not that into you. But what was another heartbreak? Was there even anything left to break?
    One of these days my heart was going to shatter for good.
    Like a snow globe pushed off a shelf.
     
    ***
     
    “We’re going out Friday night with the boys,” Piper said at lunch the next day. “You’re welcome to come, too.”
    “I’m working an event for Justine tomorrow. You guys have fun.” Actually, I wasn’t. I had hardly worked since before Christmas. But I was doing my best to avoid odd-numbered dates, like third-wheel dates with Piper and Wyatt and fifth-wheel dates when Maya and Evan joined them. Yeah, no thanks.
    Caleb was 418 miles away in L.A.
    I had Google-mapped it.
    Piper squirmed on the bench. “Heard from Caleb recently?”
    “We text,” I said. I didn’t want to get into the details. Like the little detail that there were no details. Three texts in a month? One call since our date? The bell rang and we packed up to head to class.
    “Have you told him about Cressida yet?” Piper asked.
    “Why would I do that?” She gnawed on her pinkie finger.
    “I don’t know. Because he’s your boyfriend?”
    “No, he’s not.”
    “Yet.”
    “Piper, why would I want to pollute my Caleb time with Cressida talk?” I asked.
    Piper shrugged. “True. Less said about her, the better.”
     
    ***
     
    When the home phone rang that night, I picked it up. Anything to avoid studying for a French quiz.
    “Lana, it’s me.” As in, Caleb.
    “Hey, what’s up?” I tried unsuccessfully to sound casual.
    “I’ve been thinking about you.”
    “Oh yeah?” I said. “I couldn’t tell.”
    “Never, ever play three varsity sports in one season,” he groaned. “I want to see you. It’s been insane down here. Lucky for you I’m recovering from an ear infection, so I get to miss a water polo game this weekend. If I come up to Sonoma on Saturday, can you hang out?”
    My cheeks hurt from smiling. “I think I may be free,” I said. I forgot that I hated him. All was forgiven.
    Five minutes after I got off the phone with him, it rang again.
    I picked it up before my dad could.
    “Miss me that bad?” I said, laughing.
    There was silence for a few seconds. “Good evening.” The voice was deep and accented.
    “I’m sorry, who is this?”
    “Is your father there, Lana?” His voice gave me chills, like something evil was creeping out of the phone.
    I heard my dad pick up in his room. “Victor?”
    Victor’s voice changed. It got sharper. Rougher. “The situation has changed. We need to talk.”
    I put the phone back in the cradle.
    What situation?
     
    ***
     
    By the time Caleb rang the doorbell Saturday afternoon, I had been in and out of three pairs of jeans. I ended up in some old ones. They were newly washed and felt soft and snug on my legs. I didn’t want to look as excited as I felt, so I had pulled on an old t-shirt and a fitted flannel shirt.
    He showed up looking amazing in jeans, a navy sweater, and a black Patagonia jacket. It felt like I had just said good-bye to him yesterday instead of five weeks ago. It’s been five weeks since he kissed you.
    “You look great.” He grinned at me like a fool. I’m pretty sure I did the same, since my cheeks started to ache.
    “Thanks. Want to come in?”
    He glanced behind me. “Is your dad here?”
    “He works on Saturdays.”
    His eyes twinkled at me. “If you’re offering me a tour, the answer is hell yes.” He stepped inside and looked around. I cringed. No Sub-Zero fridge, no marble countertops. The toilet in the bathroom had one of those soft, puffy seats.
    “Here you see our magnificent kitchen, where I make the culinary magic happen,” I said. “Down this hall is the den and our luxurious sleeping accommodations.”
    “Any magic happen in those?” he asked. My face flushed and he grabbed