Natural Reaction by Terri Reid Read Free Book Online Page A

father died in an explosion at the high school. We could look into that one.”
    “Wait,” Bradley interrupted. “I think you are all moving too fast.”
    She turned to him and placed her hand over his, “I promise I won’t over-do,” she said. “I just have to get busy, get my mind off of what happened.”
    He turned his hand and caught her hand in his own. “Not thinking about it is not going to make it go away,” he said. “I could speak with Regina Tallmadge at VOICES, the domestic violence shelter; she could get you into a group session.”
    She knew Bradley meant well and was only trying to protect her, but she wasn’t like those other women. She was a trained professional. She understood about crimes against women. She wasn’t a victim. She had been a cop. A damned good cop. And if she could survive dying, there was no way in hell some creep was going to get the best of her.
    She squeezed his hand and met his eyes. “I’m not ready for that,” she said. “But, I’ll be sure to let you know as soon as I am.”
    “Yeah, Mary doesn’t need to sit around talking, she needs some action and she needs it now,” Mike said.
    There was a sharp rap on the front door, causing everyone to jump.
    “Okay, that was spooky,” Mike added.

Chapter Eight

    The men allowed Mary to open her own door, but only after earning a sharp glare when they tried to prevent her. “It’s my house,” she said with determination. “I can answer the door.”
    She was surprised to find Andy’s mom, Katie Brennan, standing on the porch. In the past few months, Katie and Mary had become good friends. Katie was wrapped in a camel-colored coat with a soft pink and lavender wool scarf layered around her neck. Her curly blonde hair poked out in wisps from the matching knitted cap and her usually sparkling blue eyes were filled with concern. She hadn’t been outside for very long, because her cheeks hadn’t reddened enough to cover the smattering of freckles across her cheeks. Mary knew she was the mother of six, but at this moment she could have been mistaken for a college coed.
    “Mary, I have a huge favor to ask you,” she said, concern audible in her voice.
    “Is everything okay?” Mary asked. “Is Andy… ”
    Katie smiled warmly. “No, everything’s fine with the children, thanks for worrying. But the favor has to do with Andy and Maggie.”
    “Well, please, come in and tell me what you need,” Mary insisted.
    “I hate to be a bother,” Katie replied.
    “No, bother,” Mary said, guiding her into the house. “Can I get you some tea?”
    Katie stopped when she saw the two men standing in the living room. “Oh, Ian and Bradley, I’m so sorry, I didn’t mean to interrupt,” she exclaimed.
    “Katie you’re looking as pretty as a summer’s day,” Ian said. “Come in, we can make ourselves scarce if need be.”
    “No, please don’t,” she said. “I’m asking Mary a favor, but I’m afraid it’s probably going to affect the two of you.”
    “What do you need?” Bradley asked.
    Katie took a deep breath. “We just got a call that Clifford’s mother, Andy’s grandmother, took a fall at the nursing home she’s been living in,” she explained. “They believe she’s broken her hip and they are taking her in to surgery tomorrow. She’s fairly frail and we’re concerned…”
    Her voice cracked and she took a deep breath. “Well, we just don’t want her to be alone right now.”
    “Of course not,” Mary said. “How can I help?”
    “I’ve found a place for the older boys to stay,” she said. “But I need somewhere for Andy and Maggie to stay for at least a few days, and perhaps up to a week. I know they adore you and since the bus picks them up right in front of your house, I wondered…”
    Mary smiled brightly. “Really?” she said, delighted. “You’d let me watch them for you?”
    A shaky laugh burbled from Katie. “You obviously have no idea what you are getting yourself into,” she