The Laundry Hag's Christmas Rental by Jennifer L Hart

Author:Jennifer L Hart
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: Mystery, Military Romance, series
Publisher: Jennifer L Hart
Published: 2015-11-01T16:00:00+00:00

Chapter Eighteen

Jackie

“OKAY,” I TURNED TO Kenny and Josh when Maggie and Neil’s taillights disappeared down the street. “We’re all clear. Let’s get this party started.”

The boys raced for the garage, where Neil told me he’d stowed the Christmas tree he’d bought earlier. It was one of those pre-lit deals with the multicolored lights. I’d agreed to help Kenny and Josh set it up while they were out at dinner as a surprise for Maggie.

Assembly was easier than I thought it would be. First the stand, which was three beams of metal and then three sections that snapped together, one smaller than the other, although Abu kept climbing the thing as if it was his new jungle gym. Half an hour later it glowed by the front window.

We stood back to study our handiwork.

“Something’s not right,” Josh tilted his head, gazing at the small tree.

“You’re right,” I plucked Abu off the branches and he chittered angrily, then wrapped his tail around my neck in mute apology. “It’s missing something.”

“Decorations.” Kenny looked at me hopefully. “Do you have any Jackie?”

I shook my head. “No. I don’t. Sorry.”

“Maybe we could make some.” Josh suggested.

“Well, there’s nothing here. “ I gestured around the rental. “Maybe you can make stuff at my house. I have tons of seashells and paper and whatnot.”

The boys agreed that sounded like an excellent idea so we all trooped through the back yards and let ourselves in to my bungalow.

“What’s up?” Luke called from the living room couch. He paused the football game he’d been watching.

“The guys wanted to decorate the tree their dad bought for their mom,” I said, heading into the bedroom. “We’re just gonna grab some supplies. Guys, check in the third bedroom. There’s some string and glue in the closet there.”

Luke followed me into our room, shutting the door behind him. “Jackie, we need to talk.”

I was busy rummaging in my walk-in, so I didn’t turn to face him. “It’ll have to wait.”

The box I wanted was of course, buried under at least fifteen others. I put one foot on the shoe shelf and grabbed a hold of the metal pressure bar that held up my dresses and Luke’s suits, reaching for all I was worth. A few vertebras crackled like Rice Crispies under the strain. Just a few more inches.

“It can’t,” Luke grabbed my non-reaching arm, trying to steady me. “It’s about Logan. He’s quitting the team.”

“What?” I did a double take over my shoulder just as the pressure bar gave way. I fell back into Luke’s arms and both of us went sprawling, the left side of the closet tumbling down on top of us.

“Are you all right?” Luke murmured as the dust and debris settled.

I was too stunned to speak. Logan was quitting? Why now?

“Jackie, answer me. Are you hurt?”

Yes, but not in the way he meant. “I’m fine.” I lied and struggled back to my feet.

Luke stared at me for a minute and I forced a smile. “That’ll teach me to get the step ladder out.

Download

Copyright Disclaimer:
This site does not store any files on its server. We only index and link to content provided by other sites. Please contact the content providers to delete copyright contents if any and email us, we'll remove relevant links or contents immediately.