This Side of the Sun (The Sun Trilogy) by M. Lauryl Lewis Page A

that guy?”
    I nodded. “Saul.”
    “You sure you’re safe with him? I mean none of us know him.”
    “I’m sure. He’s a good guy, Ev. I promise.”
    He sighed and crossed his arms over his chest and looked down at his feet. “Okay. Just…” he trailed off.
    “Just what?”
    “Just be careful.”
    “I will.” I grabbed his hand again and squeezed gently to reassure him. “Ev?”
    “Yeah?”
    “Thanks for talking to me.”
    He smiled.
    ***
    After Everett and I had a heart to heart in the kitchen, we walked back to the living room together. Helen was busy adjusting the hem of her beige jacket and fluffing her floral silk scarf in an attempt to look sophisticated while my father was kissing Justine on the cheek.
    “Hattie. We’re headed out to check in at our hotel. Hope to see you for dinner,” said my father.
    I didn’t bother to respond, since he obviously didn’t care about anything going on in my life that might be important to me.
    “Dinner?”
    I turned to the chair in the corner, where I saw Saul sitting.
    “Saul?”
    He stood and walked to me, kissing me on the cheek. I could sense Everett tense beside me.
    “When did you get here?” I asked, surprised that he was suddenly in the room with me.
    “Just a minute ago. I hope you don’t mind, your brother let me in.” He extended a hand to Everett, who took it hesitantly. “Everett. Good to see you again.”
    “Saul.”
    The entire room felt tense and I was pretty sure I wasn't imagining it.
    “Hattie, what’s up with dinner plans tonight?” He stepped closer to me and slid my hand into his. I instantly felt calmer.
    “Her stepmother and I have just flown in from Kenya, and Hattie here says she’s too busy to meet us all for dinner.”
    “I told you I have plans,” I said, trying to keep the anger out of my voice.
    “What time?” asked Saul.
    “F our-thirty,” answered Helen.
    I really wished it was acceptable for me to smack her in the face.
    “We’ll be there,” said the man holding my hand.
    I looked at him, horrified.

CHAPTER 10 ~ FIRST DATE
     
    Finally settled into the cab of Saul’s truck, I frowned at him.
    “I don’t want to go,” I said , being very honest.
    He looked at me very seriously, his blue eyes making me want to melt despite my frustrations over family.
    “I know you don’t, but it makes me look good to get you there.” He winked and leaned over, kissing me tenderly. Eventually, he whispered near my ear. “I missed you.”
    “I missed you too,” I said, still sulking.
    “Stop pouting? I promise we’ll do something fun after dinner.”
    I sighed. “You don’t know how irritating she is.”
    “Who?”
    “Helen.” I looked over at him as he pulled away from my house. “My stepmother.”
    “You can tell me all about it tonight,” he said. “If you want.”
    “What do you want to do until dinner?” I asked.
    He glanced at the clock on the truck dash.
    “We have an hour. How about a drink? There’s a little bar I found that’s pretty quiet.”
    “Sure. Might help me get through dinner.”
    “Cheer up, sweet thing. I’ll make sure you have fun.”
    He sped up as he hit the main highway, and I felt his warm hand on my knee. We drove in silence, aside from the quiet hum of classical music from the radio. I watched the landscape outside the window as we drove by. Dark clouds were rolling in, as if mocking my mood.
    “Penny for your thoughts,” said Saul as he turned the radio off.
    “It looks like it’s gonna rain,” I said lazily.
    As if the sky heard me, drops began to splatter the windshield.
    “You’re quite the weather lady,” he said, chuckling.
    “Sorry I’m in a bad mood.”
    “The bar’s just up ahead. I’ll have you feeling better soon enough.”
    “You’re sweet.”
    “As pie.”
    The Tracks was a hole-in-the-wall bar and grill tucked behind a small strip mall not far outside of Anacortes. It was situated halfway below ground, underneath a book store. The stairs