1420135090 (R) by Janet Dailey Read Free Book Online

inside, his hair and coat layered with snow.
    “Total whiteout, and it’s getting deeper by the minute.” Even the stubble along his jaw was coated. “I made it halfway across the yard and had to leave the truck because I couldn’t see past the front bumper. Sorry, Muriel, but it looks like I’ll have to stick around till it clears. If you’ve got a rag or a handy mop, I’ll soak up the snowmelt.”
    His coat was already steaming in the warm kitchen. He hung it over the back of a chair, caught the old towel Muriel tossed him, and laid it on the floor to catch the dripping snow.
    “No way you’ll be getting out of here till morning, Cowboy,” Muriel said. “You might as well plan to spend the night.”
    Kylie did some fast thinking. The four-bedroom house would’ve had plenty of room for a guest before she showed up with Hunter and Amy. Now the rooms were full, and Henry’s small trailer had only one bed.
    “Shane can have my room,” she said. “I’ll share with Amy for the night.”
    “I won’t put you out.” Shane sank onto a kitchen chair and began working off his wet cowboy boots. “I’ll just crash on the couch for a few hours. That way, if the storm lets up in the night, I can leave and not bother a soul. I’ve got animals to tend, and I need to make sure the pipes won’t freeze in the house. I’ll be needing to get home.”
    “If that’s what you really want, I’ll get you a quilt and a pillow,” Muriel said.
    “We can’t go to bed yet!” Amy turned away from stacking the dishes in the sink. “My TV show starts at eight. Can I watch it, Mom? See, I’ve been helping.”
    Amy’s favorite TV show, about two teen girls solving crimes, was one of the few things she still had to look forward to. “Is it all right?” Kylie glanced at Muriel.
    “Of course, dear. Maybe I’ll watch it, too,” Muriel said.
    “Stupid show.” Hunter glanced up from his phone. “Stupid baby show.”
    “It is not!” Amy turned on him. “It’s better than those dumb video games you play.”
    “I can’t play them here! I can’t do anything here! And I don’t have any friends! I hate this place!”
    “That’s enough, Hunter.” Kylie was on her feet, snatching the phone out of his hand. “We’ll talk about your getting this back after you’ve washed the dishes.”
    “That’s not fair!” Hunter stormed. “I never had to wash dishes back home.”
    “That’s because we had a dishwasher. But this is a different place and we all need to help out. Now get moving!”
    Scowling, Hunter shuffled to the sink and began running hot water into the dishpan. Muriel stood by to give him a few pointers. Henry, still standing near the door in his coat, shuffled his feet.
    “Well, since I planned to watch the basketball game, I’ll be going,” he said. “Come watch it with me if you want, Shane. I’ve got beer in the fridge.”
    Kylie saw Shane hesitate. “Thanks, Henry. I’d enjoy that, but with that storm out there and no place to sleep in your trailer, I’d better stay put.” He stood. “I’ll come out on the porch to see that you make it across the yard. Take the flashlight and wave it when you get to your door. That way I’ll know you’re safe.”

    Standing on the back porch in his stocking feet, Shane peered through the flying snow and watched the thin beam of light bob across the yard. Shivering, he counted the seconds until the light waved back and forth, signaling that Henry had made it to his trailer. Holy Hannah, but it was cold!
    He would’ve enjoyed watching the game and sharing a beer with the old man. But the cramped space in Henry’s trailer left little room to stretch out. And he’d be leaving two women and two kids alone during a dangerous storm. Staying in the house was the only choice that made sense.
    Gripping the door to keep it from blowing open, he slipped back inside. Kylie was standing by the table, almost as if she’d been waiting for him.
    “My word, you look like a