Last One Home by Debbie Macomber Read Free Book Online Page B

though. She would do her utmost to play nice with the bad-tempered Mr. Brody.

Chapter 5

    Cassie stuck her head in her daughter’s bedroom. “Amiee, time to wake up for school.”
    Amiee moaned, rolled over, and pulled the blanket high up, covering her head.
    “Amiee.” To say the twelve-year-old wasn’t a morning person would be a gross understatement.
    “Five more minutes,” Amiee pleaded.
    “I’ve already given you five minutes. If you don’t get up right now you’ll miss the bus.”
    “Okay, okay.”
    “And make your bed.”
    “Mom …”
    “No arguing.” Cassie wondered if the day would ever come when her daughter would cheerfully greet mornings with a smile. That was part of her problem, Cassie supposed—she was a natural-born dreamer.
    About ten minutes later Amiee stumbled out of the bathroom, dressed and with her hair combed. Cassie had breakfast on the table: cold cereal, toast, and milk. She was in a rush herself. Because she had to get to the Habitat site by six, she could not runbehind at all today or she’d be in trouble. Cassie was determined to make this opportunity work. Getting a real home for Amiee and her was too important to risk.
    Furthermore, she had something to prove to the arrogant Steve Brody. If he didn’t think she could pull her share because she had a French manicure, well, he was in store for a big surprise.
    The house she was assigned to work on that evening was nearly finished. Cassie hadn’t yet met the Youngs, who would eventually move into the home, but Megan from Habitat had told her about George and Shelly. At one time they’d been homeless and lived in their car with their family until they were accepted into a shelter. Slowly, a little at a time, they’d worked their way into a position to apply for a Habitat house.
    The Youngs’ home was nearing completion. Megan, from the head office, had explained that this evening they would be finishing the work on the roof. Frankly, Cassie couldn’t think of a better spot for her to prove her worth. She’d never been afraid of heights and was ready to show Steve Bighead she had a strong work ethic.
    Amiee sat down at the table and glared at the cereal. “Again?” she said, and moaned.
    “Cereal is good for you. Besides, I got it on sale.”
    “I’ve had it every morning for a month. Next time don’t buy ten boxes. I don’t care if it was only ninety-nine cents a box. I need variety.”
    “Okay, fine. I’ll fix you a poached egg tomorrow.”
    “Mom,” she said, and groaned, “poached eggs are gross.”
    “Protein, my darling,” she announced with panache. “You need protein to get those brain cells activated. And weren’t you telling me you have a history test first thing Monday morning?”
    As if she was being expected to eat glue, Amiee lifted her spoon and took her first tentative bite.
    “You’ve got your homework in your backpack?”
    Amiee glared at her.
    “Okay, sorry I asked.”
    Cassie moved about the kitchen, putting away the milk and the sugar bowl as she took the clean dishes from the drainer and stacked them in the cupboard. “Remember, Rosie is picking you up on her way home from work.”
    Amiee glanced up. “How come?”
    “Two things. The youth group at church is having pizza night and—”
    Her daughter interrupted her. “What kind of pizza?”
    “Amiee!” What a ridiculous question. Her daughter should be grateful for the opportunity instead of being so picky.
    “You know I don’t like black olives.”
    “I don’t think you need to worry,” Cassie said, shaking her head.
    “Where will you be?” Amiee asked.
    Cassie glanced at her wrist. Time was ticking. “I already told you. I’ll be working at the Habitat house.”
    “Can I work, too?”
    “I don’t know yet, but as soon as I find out, you’ll be the first to know.” Her daughter had taken only a few tentative bites of the cereal.
    “Time to go,” Cassie announced, checking her watch. It seemed every morning