Beside the Brook by Paulette Rae Read Free Book Online

help her. After she was dressed Kirsten brushed Sarah’s hair and divided it into pigtails, fastening them with two purple ribbons Sarah picked out from her top drawer.
    “Now you look beautiful.” Kirsten smiled as Sarah admired her appearance in the full length mirror on the wardrobe door.
    Sarah beamed, “Thank you, Kirsty.”
    “You’re welcome, honey.” She took Sarah’s hand and they walked down stairs to the kitchen to find out what Craig was preparing for dinner. The shouting had subsided in Beth’s office, and Tyler had disappeared. Beth and Jamie now seemed to be having a deep discussion about something else.
    Glorious smells wafted from the kitchen as they approached, and they found Craig at the table reading the paper. He looked guilty as they entered, and smiled as he lifted a can of beer.
    “Ah, caught you.” Kirsten teased.
    “Hey, I have to have one vice,” Craig said huskily.
    “Do you mind if Miss Ess keeps you company for a while?” Kirsten asked. “The grown ups are probably not good company right now.”
    “Daddy’s mad,” Sarah chimed in.
    Craig smiled. “Yeah, I heard something going on up there, what was that about?”
    “Me unfortunately.” Kirsten grimaced.
    “Oh.” Craig nodded in understanding.
    “I have to get changed for dinner. Will you stay here and help Craig?”
    Sarah nodded and smiled at Craig. She climbed onto the big man’s lap, linking her arm around his neck. “I’ll help set the table.”
    “Good girl.” Kirsten left them and returned to the back passage. Wanting to avoid the second floor, she climbed into the small service lift, which took her right to the hallway outside her own room. She showered and changed, thankful to finally have the sand and salt out of her hair.
    She pondered her first day in her new surroundings. Spending the majority of the day with Sarah had been a great idea. She felt a strong connection between them and hoped that would simply grow the more time they spent together. Sarah lacked so much stimulation and Kirsten was excited at the prospect of being able to provide that for the little girl. The boat trip had been fantastic; Tyler a charming and intriguing host. Then a black storm called Jamie had moved in to ruin her day. She had never met anyone like him. The animosity he carried for Tyler was like a thick oozing substance you could cut with a knife. Yet when he looked at Sarah it all just melted away. The little girl truly was the glue holding them all together.
    As she came downstairs again she noticed Beth was still in her office, alone this time. Nervously Kirsten stood in the doorway and knocked on the wood paneled door. Beth smiled when she realised it was Kirsty.
    “Sorry if I caused any trouble before,” Kirsten said. Beth stood up. “That,” she pointed a bony finger, “was not your fault. It was mine. I was too slow catching that one before it happened. I only hope it didn’t cause you too much discomfort.”
    Kirsten smiled. “No not at all.” She had always been a good liar.
    “His bark is worse than his bite, believe you me.”

    “Okay, I’ll leave you to it. See you at dinner.” Kirsten retreated and headed down the next flight of stairs. She heard footfalls behind her, faster than her own, and she turned to see Jamie, fast closing the gap between them.
    “Kirsty, can we speak?” he asked before she had a chance to say anything. His tone had vastly improved since they last spoke.
    “Of course.” She stopped and turned. The material of her red cullots swished around her ankles.
    He descended the rest of the stairs before he lowered his head and looked at his hands.
    “I feel really stupid about earlier.”
    “Don’t worry about it,” Kirsty dismissed. “I can understand you being mad, considering.”
    Jamie raised his green eyes to hers. “No it’s more than that. I was an arse, even before I went off my rocker about Beth. I just want you to know that it had nothing to do with