Home for Good by Jessica Keller

Author:Jessica Keller
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Harlequin
Published: 2012-09-21T16:00:00+00:00

Chapter Fourteen

“I hardly think it’s necessary for you to stay here.” Ali jammed her hands to her hips and tapped her foot against the floor.

Kate wrinkled her brow. “I don’t know, Al. I think it’s wise to have a man here until stuff blows over.”

Ali shot her sister a glare. Traitor.

“It won’t work. We don’t have any extra beds so—”

Jericho shook his head. “While in the army, I learned to sleep anywhere. I slept leaning against a tank wheel in the middle of mortar fire once. I could curl up on the kitchen tile in there and be just fine.”

Chance slurped on the last of his firecracker Popsicle. Blue and red colors painted his face. “That’s gross. You could sleep in my room, but my bed is small. Mom said I’ll get a bigger one soon, though.” He looked up at Ali with hopeful eyes, as if she’d spring for a new bed after his benevolent offer to Jericho.

“Appreciate that, but this couch in here will work just fine.”

“Yeah, I don’t need you in my room ’cause I’m strong. I’m a guy.” Chance chewed on the Popsicle stick, thinking hard. “You should sleep in Mom’s room with her. She’s got a big bed.”

Kate ducked, hiding a chuckle behind her hand.

Heat crept up Ali’s neck, but seeing the full-out fire on Jericho’s cheeks made her feel better. “Enough, Chance. Get upstairs, wash your face and throw on your jammies.” She pointed toward the stairs.

The boy set down the stick on the coffee table. When he faced Jericho, he shrugged. “I’m just saying. I’m brave, but she’s a girl, and girls get scared easy. And she has the biggest bed. It makes sense.”

“Put it like that, and it sure does make sense. But between you and me, I think it’s safer for everyone if I’m down here on the couch.” He shot Ali a look.

“To bed, Chance.”

He harrumphed but obeyed, albeit with loud, drawn-out steps on the stairs.

Ali chuckled. “I’ll be up in ten minutes to read the first chapter of that book with you. Be ready when I come.”

Jericho set down his cup of milk and stretched. “You know what? I’m going to go up there and search all the rooms.”

“You can’t be serious.” Ali inched toward the stairs to block his progress.

He took her shoulders and gently moved her aside. “Listen. When we were looking for Chance, you really believed that someone might have taken him. If you’re that afraid of whatever is going on, then yes, I’m going to take it seriously. And I’m going to go up and check all the rooms so I know for sure that nothing’s lurking that shouldn’t be.”

Lurking? She hadn’t thought of that. Now she wouldn’t get a wink of sleep. She stepped back. “When you put it like that...”

He disappeared up the stairs.

“You okay with all this?” Kate dropped down on the couch, sprawling her feet on the coffee table.

Ali sunk into the side chair. “Not like you offered much help.

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.