Hidden Hearts by Ann Roberts Read Free Book Online Page B

straight rows had been reduced to thousands of twisted roots, broken trunks and tangled branches. The huge bucket clawed at the earth and the machine strained underneath a slim trunk until a popping sound overpowered the drone of the engine as the tree lost its fight to stay planted in the ground. But the claw eventually hefted it up and dropped it onto the pile of bodies.
    I gazed at the thousands of smashed oranges strewn across what was left of our lawn, victims of the bulldozer’s enormous treads. A few had managed to roll out of harm’s way near the back stairs. I picked one up with a plan to enjoy the sweet, delicious fruit, but as the bulldozer backed up and turned sideways, I saw Mac position the claw against another innocent tree.
    “No!”
    I threw the orange with all my might and it hit him in the arm. He jumped and the claw dropped as he let go of the controls. He looked surprised, and I wondered if he might scoop me up as punishment, but instead he leaned against the bulldozer’s steering wheel and shook his head in disbelief.
    That just made me angrier. I grabbed several oranges and tossed them in his direction. And when I couldn’t find any more oranges I hurled pebbles and then dirt, my arms flailing like windmills. As I readied to pelt what felt like a good-sized rock, a force of pink flowers and lace knocked me to the ground.
    “Don’t you be hurtin’ my daddy!” a high-pitched voice screamed. “I’ll break you!”
    “Kiah! Get off her,” Mac ordered.
    We rolled over a few more times until his strong arms demanded she release me. I stood up and faced a beautiful girl with eyes like his and smooth, milk-chocolate skin. He held her in a bear hug while she squirmed to free herself. She was tall and skinny and probably a little older than me. Her short, wiry black hair was smoothed away from her face and cut unevenly at her jawbone.
    “Now, Kiah, you be a good girl.”
    She nodded and he stepped away. I saw my chance. I barreled toward her but he was quick. He grabbed me by the middle and held me like a football.
    “Now, quit wiggling, Miss Vivi.”
    I paid him no mind and squirmed and kicked. When I heard him grunt, I knew I’d done damage.
    “You stop it, you hear?” he said roughly. “Or I’ll tell your mama to give you another whuppin’.”
    At the mention of a spanking my body went limp, still sore from the last night’s paddling. 
    He set me down and I looked up. All I saw was kindness.
    “Well, Miss Vivi, your mama’s right. You are a holy terror.”
    “I am not!” When he laughed I asked, “How do you know Mama calls me that?”
    He squatted down and faced me. “Honey, everybody knows it. And your mama told me.”
    I made some sort of disagreeable sound which only made him laugh harder. It was contagious and I cracked a smile.
    “This here’s my daughter, Kiah.”
    She stood by the bulldozer, her hands on her hips. Unlike me, she clearly followed her daddy’s directions.
    “Say hello, Kiah.” When she shook her head, he added, “Young lady, please be courteous.”
    “Hello,” she said in a very unfriendly tone.
    “I think the two of you oughtta be friends seein’ as you’re both the only girls around here.”
    We exchanged glares and he shook his head. “I have to get back to work.” He studied the remaining trees before meeting my gaze. “You love ’em, don’t ya?”
    “Yes.”
    He tipped his hat to me. “Then I’m sorry my work is painful to you.”
    No one had ever apologized to me. I nodded dumbly.
    “Now, it’s good to have more friends, Kiah,” he said seriously.
    They gazed at each other as if they were talking without speaking. I was surprised because I couldn’t talk to Pops even when I used words. We’d certainly never be able to read minds like them. Eventually she grudgingly stepped toward me.
    “I’m sorry for beating you up.”
    “You didn’t beat me up,” I argued. “I’d a had you if your daddy hadn’t stepped in.”
    She gave a