Emmitt's Treasure: Judgement of the Six Companion Series, book 2 by Melissa Haag Read Free Book Online Page A

finished, Winifred’s car pulled into the driveway.  I couldn’t wait to see what she’d purchased.  A moment later she walked in, carrying three paper bags.  I set my sandwich down and took one from her.
    “I think you’ll be happy with what I found,” Winifred said to Michelle as she set two bags on Jim’s couch.  “Emmitt, can you get the other bags for me?  They are on the porch.”
    There are some boxes we’ll want to store and show her at a later time, she added silently.
    I set down the bag I currently held and went outside.
    I listened to Winifred show the boys the ball caps she’d gotten them as I quickly moved several boxes into the garage.  Winifred had found dishes and cookware and a few other household items for Michelle.  She was right not to show any of it now.  Michelle was...I shook my head.  She was undecided about us, and housewares might come off as us pushing her to stay and likely send her running.
    I grabbed the three remaining bags and noticed clothes for Michelle.  Hopefully, she wouldn’t mind Winifred getting them.
    I brought the bags in and set them next to the others.  When I turned, I caught an odd look from Aden.  A mix between suppressed laughter and guilt.  I discovered why when I picked up my sandwich.  Jim had taken a huge bite, and half of it was gone.  I shook my head at Jim and ate the rest of my sandwich.  I knew better than to leave food unguarded around him.
    Winifred continued showing the kids the shorts, pants, shoes, sandals, and swim trunks she’d gotten for each of them.  She’d even purchased new underwear and socks.  Humans liked new stuff.
    “Michelle,” Winifred said, breaking into my thoughts.  “I hope you don’t mind, but I found a few things that I couldn’t resist getting for you.”  She indicated the two remaining bags.  “Would you like to see?”
    Michelle nodded.
    Like the boys, she had a full wardrobe that included shorts, two additional pairs of jeans, and several printed tees.
    “I’ll let you look through the rest on your own,” Winifred said, stopping halfway through the second bag.  “If something doesn’t fit, just let me know.”
    “What?” Jim said in mock indignation.  “No suit for her?  Come on Nana, tomorrow’s the fourth.  We could go to the lake.”
    Please let there be a suit for Michelle, I thought to myself.  I caught a movement out of the corner of my eye.  Jim shoved something into his mouth.
    “Of course I bought her one.  She can look for herself.”
    I looked at Michelle’s plate and saw her sandwich was missing.  I elbowed Jim, and he grunted before swallowing hard.  Michelle turned to look at us.  We both found something on the walls to study.
    Humor drifted from Aden and Liam.  They both had witnessed Jim’s theft.
    Michelle turned back toward Winifred and reached for her sandwich.  She saw her empty plate then turned to look at Jim.  He had the guts to point at me.
    Aden burst out in giggles.
    “Jim, if you can’t behave, you can go finish mowing the lawn,” Winifred said.  “Boys, put your plates in the sink if you’re finished.  Emmitt, can you help me take these up to the apartment?”  She indicated the bags as she picked up two herself.
    I quickly put my plate on Jim’s, then went to grab the rest of the bags.  When Winifred asked someone to do something, it was best to listen.  Jim put our dishes in the sink, then moved to go outside.  With the riding mower still apart, I doubted he’d be mowing any time soon.  Aden scrambled to put his plate away then followed Jim, same hitch to his walk and everything.  I grinned as I headed up the stairs.
    Winifred was already coming down them.
    “Try to keep it all folded,” she said as she passed me.
    I pretended to look puzzled but didn’t fool her.  She laughed and kept heading down the stairs.
    As soon as I was in the apartment, I started going through Michelle’s clothes until I found the swimsuit.  It was