"I love you . . ." She clamped a hand over her mouth and gasped in horror. But the sudden intake of air didn't recapture the words. His lack of response sent a painful flush into her neck. It was the last thing he would want. He liked things the way they were. She sat up and grabbed her purse. "We better go in." Hopefully her voice didn't sound as unsteady to him as it did to her. She opened the door and scrambled out, shutting it without another word. Without looking back, she dashed to the house, past a startled Sarah, and then to her room. There she collapsed on the bed and started to cry - quietly this time. Let him explain all of it to his mother. One thing was sure. She couldn't. It was a total mystery to her why Len and Howard couldn't light a fire in her the way Yancey did. Never in her life had she been so attracted to a man - so totally out of control in his presence. Maybe she should pack her things tomorrow, and leave. Facing him again was an unbearable though. Those eyes would be mocking her, or maybe filled with fear. No, not Yancey. He might feel fear or express it verbally, but it would never be in his eyes.
At some point, the tears stopped and sleep began. Exhaustion forced her to sleep through the night. The next morning she woke, still in her clothing. She immediately looked in the mirror at her neck. Bruises in the shape of fingers reminded her of the ordeal. Her neck was tender and swallowing was painful. Every muscle in her body was sore. She walked stiffly to the closet, deciding quickly on a pair of blue jeans and a light shirt with a collar that would hide most of her neck.
After a warm shower, she felt better. Instead of braids, she brushed her hair into a ponytail. She looked and felt cool, and only part of the bruising was visible. Slipping into a pair of tennis shoes, she headed for the kitchen.
No one was in the kitchen, but a note from Sarah explained that she and Tammy had gone to town shopping again. Her first thought was the path. It was simple enough to wander around outside, as if she were looking for something. When she decided Yancey wasn't around, she started down the path, keeping close to the trees without breaking her promise not to wander in the woods.
No one was in sight when she reached the building, but the door was open. Cautiously, she crept up to the door and peered around it, jerking her head back instinctively when she spotted Yancey unlocking a door to an inner office. She peeked around the door again just in time to see him walk into the office and close the door. Silently, she slipped into the building. She paused, allowing her eyes to adjust to the dim light. The odor she had smelled earlier hung in the air. She glanced around, noting several objects covered with cloths, as well as a box that sat on a table beside the door.