Last Breath by Brandilyn Collins & Amberly Collins

Author:Brandilyn Collins & Amberly Collins [Collins, Brandilyn & Collins, Amberly]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: Suspense, ebook
Publisher: Zondervan
Published: 2009-01-01T05:00:00+00:00

22

I only meant to drive by Gary’s house. Just to get a feel for things.

He’d said the neighborhood wasn’t “safe.” At first it didn’t seem that way to me as I cruised the nearby streets. The houses were small and wooden, probably with two to three bedrooms. Older. Lawns weren’t full of weeds, but neither were they perfectly groomed. I saw plenty of trees and bushes. Lots of cars parked in driveways and at the curb.

It didn’t hit me until I was on Gary’s street: this should be an area full of children. But I didn’t see one toy in a front yard, or bikes lying on the sidewalks.

Gary’s address was number 423. On my right the houses at 413, 415, 417 drifted by. Three doors up I spotted his house, painted off-white with teal trim. A compact front porch with three steps. It looked well-kept and was the only house around with flowers in the yard.

On her knees, weeding in those flower beds, was Gary’s grandmother.

I recognized her immediately—the curly gray hair and round, pleasant face. She worked slowly but with deliberate movements, as if the task was a challenge she enjoyed. I knew she’d been weak a lot lately from her heart. It was surprising she was outside at all.

Automatically I slowed, drinking in the sight of her through my open passenger window. In person she looked even more friendly and kind than in her pictures. I wanted to know her. I wanted her to know me.

She looked up as I rolled by—and our eyes met.

Surprise flicked across her brow. One hand, holding a trowel, rose. “Rayne?”

My foot poised above the brake.

For a split second I stared at her, heart pounding. She must have seen pictures of me. Now what? I couldn’t just drive on and ignore her. But if she told Gary I’d been here …

I pulled over to the curb and put the car in park. The next thing I knew I was on the pavement, walking toward her with a smile plastered on my face. Did she know I wasn’t supposed to be here?

“My goodness, Rayne.” Grandma Donovon dropped her gardening tool and struggled to her feet. “What a nice surprise.” She started toward me on gimpy legs. “Oh, my.” She shook her head. “I’ve been kneeling too long.”

“Hi.” I reached a hand out to her, my smile stretching to genuine. “It’s so good to finally meet you.” She couldn’t have been over five feet tall. I could feel the warmth emanating from her tiny frame.

Grandma Donovon batted away my hand and reached for a hug instead. “And it’s wonderful to meet you.” She gripped me hard, then stepped back, looking me over with her chocolate-brown eyes. “You’re even prettier in person. Didn’t think that could be possible. Although Gary’s told me it’s true.”

I laughed, feeling self-conscious. And guilty. Gary had been bragging about me—and here I was, showing up on his doorstep behind his back.

For an awkward moment Grandma Donovon and I stared at each other, as if she read my mind.

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