Free Out of Bounds by Ellen Hartman Page A

brought it out.” She put her hands on her knees and leaned forward. “Was he interested?”
    Posy couldn’t meet her cousin’s eyes. She didn’t want Maddy to know how badly she’d wanted Wes to be interested.
    “That’s beside the point,” Posy said. “My mother stole from him.”
    “Can I meet Wes?”
    “Why?”
    “So I can have my evil way with him.” Maddy rolled her eyes. “Because I want to meet the guy who let loose your wild side.”
    “I’m not going to repeat that performance.”
    “But I love your wild side.”
    Posy sighed.
    Maddy put her scraper down and pulled a folded piece of paper out of her back pocket. “I’m glad you went first because I liked that story and there’s a chance you’re going to stop talking to me right now.”
    Posy waited.
    “Your mom checked in this morning for a silent retreat. She gave me a note for you.”
    Maddy held the note out and Posy took it. It was the same thick paper with the Christmas border and Wonders logo she’d used for the first note. Was it only a few hours ago that Posy read that one and counted down the days until she’d be out of this trouble?

    Dear Posy,
    I’m sorry I lied to you. Aunt Denise wasn’t able to lend me the money, but I couldn’t face telling you that. I am going to continue my retreat until the police come for me, unless you have a better idea.
    Your loving mother,
    Holly
    P.S. Give Angel a kiss for me.

    “Holly?”
    “We allow our silent retreat guests to choose a name that’s symbolic of their journey.”
    “What is she thinking? She’s waiting for the police to get here? Does she know what happens after the police get to you? Can you imagine my mom in jail? No,” Posy said. “I have to fix this.”
    Maddy took the note from her and read it through. “You don’t have to fix it.”
    “I should let my mom go to jail?”
    “Your life isn’t your own as long as you’re being pulled back into hers every few months.” Maddy put her scraper down and set another candle into a spot on the rocky shelf in front of her. Then she faced Posy. “I think you’re afraid of yourself. You’ve spent your whole life trying to be smaller and less competitive and more like the daughter Trish thought she wanted. Someone who fit in and didn’t make waves and kept everything nice. But something about this guy stirred up the real Posy. You have a chance to get to know a guy who might be really good for you. Tell him the truth and let your mom work this out herself. Don’t let her stand in your way.”
    Posy’s palms felt hot and beads of sweat appeared on her forehead.
    “If he wasn’t scared by you, maybe it’s time for you to figure out why you are.”
    “Maybe he’s a kinky weirdo who likes the taste of his own blood.”
    “Maybe,” Maddy said. “Or maybe he wasn’t scared because he’s a guy who likes a woman who knows what she wants and isn’t afraid to fight for it. Your mom is hiding out here, Posy, hoping everything will work out somehow. Are you hiding, too?”
    “It’s not that easy, Maddy.”
    “I was there right with you when we were kids and you were always on the outside. I know how hard Trish made it for you because she doesn’t understand you. But you’re twenty-eight. You need someone to stand up to you—someone strong enough to stand with you.” Maddy touched her shoulder. “Maybe Wes isn’t that guy. But you deserve to find out.”
    “I can’t let my mom go to jail,” Posy said. “I’m going to help her one more time and then that’s it. I’m going to get a loan to cover this and pay myself back when I sell the house.”
    “You’re sure?”
    “I don’t know what else to do.”
    Maddy hugged her. “I have a little money. A bit more than three thousand dollars. Let me lend it to you.”
    Posy hated taking her cousin’s money, but she was in no shape to turn down a loan.
    “Thank you. I’ll pay you back as soon as I can. Where is my mom? I need to talk to her.”
    “She’s