Revelations (The Revelations Series Book 1) (16 page)

WHEN
Jenna woke the next morning, the sun was shining brightly through the crack in her bedroom window curtains. She tossed her powder blue comforter off her and climbed out of bed making her way to the window. She pushed the curtains aside and stared out over the orchard. She still couldn’t believe how beautiful it was. Her talk yesterday with Alex helped her get a new outlook on life. She still wasn’t over her mom’s death, but she forced herself not to yearn for a life she would never have again. Instead, she’d look toward the future.

Maybe I’ll take a walk through it later,
she thought as she grabbed her favorite pair of jeans and an old purple t-shirt out of her dresser then made her way to the bathroom. She showered and quickly dressed with the intention of getting out of the house today and checking out the town. She wanted to get a feel for the place before she started school at the end of the summer.

She hurried down the stairs and walked into the kitchen to get something to eat before heading out. She rounded the corner to see Arlene sitting at the table talking to a teenage boy.

“Excuse me, I didn’t mean to interrupt anything. I’ll come back when you’re done,” she apologized and started to walk away.

“Wait, Jenna, I want you to meet someone.” Arlene gestured toward one of the empty chairs at the table. “Take a seat.”

Jenna reluctantly walked over and took a seat across from the boy who seemed to be about her age. His tall muscular body had the beginning of what looked like a farmer’s tan. He had the most amazing brown eyes that matched his short wavy brown hair. They exchanged a polite simultaneous smile. As their gazes met and held for a brief moment Jenna got the strangest feeling of déjά vu‘.

“Jenna, this is Dylan Jacobs. I thought you two should meet. He helps out with the orchard and does odd jobs around here when I need something done.”

Dylan extended his hand toward Jenna and she shook it reluctantly. “Nice to meet you,” he said with a shy smile that warmed Jenna up to him.

Jenna met his smile and the hand that was offered. “You, too. How long have you been helping Aunt Arlene?” Jenna made a mental note to work on calling Arlene her aunt as she smiled back at Dylan. He seemed nice enough and she was happy to at least know one other teenager in this town besides Alex.

“For about two years now. Not many people would hire a fifteen year old, but your Aunt heard I was looking for work and hired me to help her here. She told me your brother and you are going to be seniors this year. Me, too. I could show you around if you’d like?”

“I would, thank you.” Jenna glanced over at Arlene who was pretending to do some dishes. By the sly smile on her face, Jenna could tell she was happy they were getting along.

“Well, I have some things I need to get done, so I have to leave,” Arlene said as she dried her hands. “Dylan, there’s no hurry to get that list done. So, feel free to show Jenna around the farm today if you want. Jenna, if you want to go into town I have a Jeep that Alex and you can share when you need it. The keys are in the bowl by the front door. There’s also a cell phone for you on the counter. I already gave Alex his and programmed all the necessary numbers in it, including Dylan’s.” She smiled at both of them and left the room.

Embarrassed, Jenna shook her head. “I’m sorry about that. I don’t know what she was thinking. I’ll understand if you were just being polite when you offered to show me around. I can check the place out myself if you don’t want to,” Jenna said getting up from her chair.

Dylan pushed himself to a standing position. “I really don’t mind. I’d do anything for your Aunt. She gave me this job when no one else would hire me. You ready,” he asked walking towards the door.

Jenna smiled, grabbed her phone off the counter and hurried out the door. “So, where do we start?” she asked Dylan.

“Well, Arlene just had the orchard sprayed with pesticides so that area is off limits until tomorrow. How about we start at the barn and then I’ll show you the hiking trails.”

“Sounds good to me,” Jenna said as she followed Dylan toward the big barn that stood a few yards away from the house.

The hinges creaked on the old barn door as Dylan pulled them open, and gestured for Jenna to go in ahead of him. “To be honest there’s not much to see in here but the tractor and a ton of apple baskets that we use during the harvest.”

Jenna walked into the barn and looked around. From the outside, it looked small, but on the inside it was huge. It even had a loft that spanned three quarters of the ceiling with a staircase at the far end of the barn leading up to it. A tractor sat in the middle of the barn, and behind it were about fifty apple baskets lined up against the wall.

“Do you fill all those at once?’ she asked as she pointed to the baskets.

“Sometimes, yes. Arlene is popular at the farmers markets for her apples. But, the real fun begins when we make jam out of the ones she doesn’t sell. Now that’s harder than picking them. I mean we must peel at least a ton of apples a day.” Dylan smiled as he brushed a stray piece of hair out of his eye.

“So how many trails are there around here. I like to hike,” Jenna asked.

“Who said anything about hiking? When I told your Aunt I’d show you around, I meant I’d show you around
my
way.” A sly smile formed on Dylan’s lips as he gestured for her to follow him. “Besides working here, Arlene lets me store my quad here in the barn. It’s the best way to see the sights on the trails, and the fastest.”

They stopped in front of a small stall that looked like it had been used for an animal at one point, but now held a shiny red quad.

“I found this as just a frame one day here in the barn while I was cleaning it out. Arlene said I could have it if I wanted. So I used my pay checks to fix it up and I take it out whenever I get a chance.”

Jenna stared at the quad then looked at Dylan. “You don’t expect me to get on that… do you?” she asked.

Dylan threw his head back and laughed. “Yes, Jenna, I do. Don’t worry, I promise I’ll go slow.”

Jenna walked into the stall and circled the quad. “I don’t know; I’ve never been on one before.”

“Trust me you’ll have fun. There’s a spot on the hiking trails I have a feeling you’ll love. It’s faster to get there on this.”

Jenna ran her finger along the seat and shook her head. Although she couldn’t deny the spark of excitement at the prospect, she wasn’t sure riding this machine was a good idea. But, she did know that she needed to start enjoying her life. Especially since she had no idea how long she would even be alive. Last night she had decided she wasn’t going to mope around, it’s the last thing her mom would have wanted. Her mom had sent her here to start a new life, and that was just what she was going to do. She wanted to do something fun, and this sounded like it might be just that, fun.

“Okay,” she said. “But, remember this is my first time so go slow.”
What am I getting myself into
? Jenna thought as Dylan pushed the quad out of the barn, climbed on and started it.

“You can get on now,” he told her as he moved closer to the handle bars to give her room on the back of the seat.

Jenna took a deep breath, touched her mom’s bracelet on her wrist, exhaled slowly then climbed on behind Dylan and placed her hands on his sides. “I’m ready,” she told him.

Dylan gave the quad some gas and they took off toward the trails. Jenna gasped and wrapped her arms so tightly around his stomach that she could feel the heat from his body. She felt as though her heart was beating a thousand times a minute as the wind flew through her hair. If she had to be honest, it felt great.

“You okay?” he yelled to her over the roar of the engine.

“I’m good. You were right. This is fun,” she yelled back. She was a little embarrassed by how hard she was holding on to him. She loosened her grip a little, but immediately tightened it again as Dylan gave the quad a little more gas.

The roar of the engine drowned out the thudding of her heart and they drove for about ten minutes before Dylan stopped in what looked like a secluded spot in the forest, and shut off the quad.

“We’re here,” he announced.

Jenna climbed off the back and looked around. All she could see were trees. She hoped she hadn’t allowed Dylan to take her to his favorite make out place thinking she was easy.

“Where’s here?” she asked cautiously.

“You’ll see,” Dylan said. “It’s right through those trees; but make sure to stay behind me. Once we get through them, there’s a steep drop off.”

Jenna stared at Dylan for a second not sure if she should follow him.

“Come on, you’ll love it. I promise,” Dylan said as he started through the bushes.

Jenna pushed the branches aside and followed Dylan through the brush. She made sure to stay right behind him as he instructed. It didn’t take long before they stepped through the last of the trees. Jenna gasped as she realized they were on the edge of a cliff.

“Don’t worry. You’ll be fine as long as you stay back here,” Dylan told her.

“Are you sure?”

“Yes, I’m sure,” Dylan insisted. “Now stop worrying and look at the view.”

Jenna had been so busy worrying about falling off the cliff that she had yet to notice the view. It was gorgeous. From here, she could see the whole valley, even the orchard.

“How did you find this place?” she asked her eyes never wavering from the scenery.

“I was hiking one day and stumbled upon it.”

“Does anyone else come here?”

“I don’t think so. I know I’ve never shown anyone, and I don’t think there’s any other way to get here besides the trail behind the barn. When you said you liked to hike I knew you would love this view.”

“Who wouldn’t? Thanks for bringing me here.” Jenna smiled. Up here, in this spot, she felt as if things were starting to look better. They stood there in silence just staring out over the valley for a few more minutes.

“Sorry to cut this short,” Dylan announced turning toward Jenna, “but I have chores I have to get done. I know Arlene said they could wait but that means double the work tomorrow and I have plans tomorrow night and want to leave early to get ready.”

“That’s fine, I understand. Next time I’ll hike here so I can stay longer,” she told Dylan as she followed him back through the trees.

“Do me a favor and make sure to tell someone where you’re going. You’re new to these woods and if something happens I’ll know where to look.”

“Okay,” Jenna replied as they reached the quad and both climbed on. She wrapped her arms around his waist again as Dylan started the quad and headed back towards the house. “Thanks for the ride,” she told Dylan as they stopped in front of the barn and climbed off. She had to admit she had actually enjoyed the ride and was sad that it had ended so quickly.

“Jenna, wait,” he said as she was about to leave. “There’s a beginning of summer party on the beach tomorrow night with a bonfire for the seniors. You and your brother should come with me. It’ll be a great way to meet some of the kids in this town.”

Jenna’s face brightened at the offer. “Thanks for the invite. I’ve never been to a bonfire before. It sounds like fun.”

“Really? You’ve never been to one before?” Dylan asked.

Jenna bit her lip, and looked away. “No, I never had the chance,” she said as she played with a pebble with her foot.

Dylan laughed. “Gee, I feel honored,” he said as his face split into a wide grin. “Today I took you on your first quad ride and tomorrow I get to take you to your first bonfire. I’ll be sure to bring some marshmallows. Trust me you’ll have fun.”

Jenna smiled. She hadn’t felt this carefree in a long time. “I’m sure I will, but only if you promise not to desert me.”

“I promise. But, before I can show you how to roast marshmallows like a pro, I have some work to do around here. Make sure to bring a light coat. It can get chilly at night on the beach. I’ll pick you up tomorrow night about seven.”

“Sounds good.” Jenna started toward the house and couldn’t help but smile. She looked back over her shoulder to see Dylan pushing the quad into the barn. He looked up, smiled at her and then entered the barn. She couldn’t help but think of her mom and how happy she would have been that she was finally doing something a normal teenager would do.