Free Parker's Island by Kimberly Schwartzmiller Page B

sighed and asked, “Was it Brian?”
    “NO!  Brian wouldn’t…NO!”
    “I’m sorry.  I had to ask.”
    “How could you think that Brian would…?”
    “I know he was your date to the party.  I didn’t think he would…hurt you, but I had to ask.”
    “How did you know he was my dat e?” I asked, curious now.
    “I um , I saw you two walking on the beach earlier tonight , ” h e admitted shamefully.
    “You were on the beach?”
    “ Ye s .  I saw you get off the ferry.  You looked so beautiful .  Y ou are beautiful.  I parked outside the hotel, hoping to see you again.  When I saw you two head to the beach, I drove down the highway and followed you .  I know I ha ve no right to be jealous, but I was.   Delaney, you have to tell me who did this to you, PLEASE! ”
    “I told you, I don’t remember.”
    “I’m sorry, but I don’t believe you.”
    “It’s true . I think I was drugged.  Both Brian and I got sick… Oh , I hope Brian ’ s okay.  W hat time is it?  I have to get on the ferry.”
    “It’s after 3 am , so the ferries are done for the night.  I’m afraid you’re stuck here.”
    “Oh no , w hat am I going to tell Molly a nd m y parents ?   T hey can never know about this!  It would kill them!”
    “Don’t worry about it right now.  You can call Molly in the morning.   Would you like to put some clothes on?” h e asked; glancing away from me as the towel slipped off my shoulder, exposing the top of one of my breasts.
    I pulled the towel up and said, “Yes, but I can’t put that dress back on , and I don’t have anything… ”
    “Here , ” h e said, hand ing me one of his shirts.
    “Thank you.”
    He turned his back so that I could change.  “I’ll be right outside the door.”
    “No, it ’ s okay, I’m already dressed.” 
    He turned back around and took a deep breath.  “I thought you looked stunning in the dress, but I don’t think you’ve ever looked more beautiful than you do right now.”
    “I don’t feel beautiful .  I don’t know what to feel.”
    “Please tell me who did it.  You know who it was ; I can see it in your eyes.”
    “I don’t…I can’t.
              “Why are you protecting him?”
    “I’m NOT!  I’m protecting you.”
    “From what?”
    “From doing whatever it is you’re planning.  I can see it in your eyes .”
    “He deserves to suffer , Delaney.  He had no right to…”
    I started to cry again, and Logan was there, holding me.  “I’m sorry.  I didn’t mean to upset you , again. ”
    “Please, can you just let it go?  Please ? ”
    “Can you?”
    “I have to try.  I have to.  If I go after…him, then everyone would know .  A nd I can’t live with that.”
    “Okay, we’ll talk about it in the morning.  Why don’t you just sleep now?  You can take a ferry home tomorrow .”  He stood up and started to walk out the door.
    “Please don’t leave me.  I don’t want to be alone.”
    “I’ll stay. ”
    “ W ould you hold me, please?  I feel so… lost and alone .”
    “I’m afraid I won’t ever want to let you go , ” h e said.
    “It’s okay . I understand if you can’t , ” I said and pulled the blankets up tight around my neck.
    H e climbed onto the bed, laying on top of all the blankets, and wrapped his arm around my waist.  “Just sleep now , okay.  You’re safe.”
    As long as Logan’s arms were around me, it was easy to forget Chad and the horrible thing he had done to me.  I leaned into Logan, and exhaustion finally took hold.  I fell into a deep sleep.
     
    When I woke up, I thought I was still sleeping and having the most wonderful dream.  Logan was next to me, with his arm snuggly wrapped around my waist.  “Please don’t let me wake up from this dream , ” I said out loud to myself.
    He smiled then and said, “That’s what I said all night.”
    I wanted so badly to reach out and touch his face, certain I was dreaming.  But a gnawing feeling kept