Broken Promises (The Broken Road Series Book 2) by Melissa Huie

Author:Melissa Huie [Huie, Melissa]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Published: 2014-02-12T05:00:00+00:00

Chapter 16

We left the hospital the next morning with a clean bill of health for both Katie and me, along with new baby care instructions. I doubt these pages had any instructions on how to be a mom. For example, we were just about to leave the hospital and she decides that right then is the perfect time to explode in her diaper. After a couple moments of panic, we quickly figured out how to bathe the screaming, squirming baby. With that out of the way and after Shane struggled with installing the damn car seat, we finally made our way home. Well, to our home away from home.

I had Shane make a detour so I could survey the damage to the house. He didn’t want to, but after much cajoling, he finally relented. My eyes widened in horror once Shane pulled onto Hazelnut court. The blackened pile of brick and wood was a stark contrast to the rest of the street. Tall chain-link fencing surrounded both sides of the duplex, keeping out troublemakers and looters. Shane stopped the SUV in front of Mrs. Sanders’s house, and we both stared at the unimaginable sight before us.

“I can’t believe this. You said it was bad, but I didn’t envision anything like this.” I was horrified. The sheer amount of damage that the fire caused had my heart lodged in my throat.

“I don’t want to think what might have happened if Cole hadn’t found you,” Shane whispered. I clutched his hand tightly.

“Don’t think about it. I’ve seen enough. Let’s get going,” I urged, the bile in my stomach starting to churn. The very sight of the destruction made me sick. I looked over my shoulder at Katie sleeping peacefully in her seat, not knowing the danger we’d been in. If I had my way, she’d never know.

“I told Cole that we’d stop by. I figured you’d want to see Penny,” Shane said, pulling away from the house. I tore my eyes from the burnt out frame and glanced at him.

“That sounds good. I’m sure she misses us. We’ll bring her back to Mom’s with us.”

It never felt right when Penny was away. Ever since I picked her up from the shelter almost two years ago, we’ve never really been apart. We drove the short distance before pulling up to a one-level rambler on the other side of Crofton. The house, small and comfortable, was lacking in what my real estate mother would call “curb appeal,” with minimal bushes and peeling faded blue paint. Kate’s Lexus was parked in the driveway, along with another blue Chevy truck. I braced myself for the chilly weather and quickly zipped up my sweatshirt as Shane hopped out to get Katie. He brought her around, all snug in her fleece blanket. We didn’t have to wait long after ringing the doorbell to hear Penny’s welcome.

“Someone’s happy to see us,” Shane said with a smile.

I grinned. I missed my little mutt. The door swung open, and I stepped back in surprise.

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