Pieces of the Past (Witness Security Book 1) by Jamie Hill Read Free Book Online Page B

the off button and pocketed his phone. His coworkers liked to tease him because he lived in a secluded, rural area on the outskirts of Topeka, but he was far from a cowboy. He had enough land to keep horses, just not the time to care for them properly. He settled for an easy-going Golden Retriever named Daisy, who loved to swim when he found time to take her to one of the area lakes. She spent her days keeping his mother company and it looked like she’d be staying there the next few nights, as well. He’d call his mom later and let her know.
    Christine set two bags in the doorway. She nodded toward the blaring TV. “Can you hear it?”
    He glanced at the set as he strolled past. A bubbly blonde celebrity he couldn’t begin to name was going on and on about something that seemed vitally important, to her, anyway. He paused one step in front of Christine. “Gotta find out who’s doing what to whom.”
    She smiled weakly. “You don’t even know who that is, do you?”
    Shrugging, Doug grinned. “You got me. I’m afraid I haven’t kept up with the Kardashians, or whatever their name is.”
    Her next smile seemed more genuine. “Good attempt. Let me guess, you only know them because Kris married Bruce Jenner, right? See, when you have teenagers, they go, ‘Bruce who?’ Really makes you feel old.”
    Doug gave her a quick once-over. “You definitely don’t have to worry about that.” He knew the words were inappropriate the moment they left his lips. If he could have reached out and pulled them back, he would have, in a heartbeat. As it was, he stood there like a dummy while a slight red flush warmed his face.
    Christine smiled. “That was sweet, in an awkward kind of way. I mean, this really isn’t the time—”
    He raised both hands and stepped backwards. “No, sorry, that was just the doofus in me coming out.”
    She closed the gap between them. “Jordan said you were goofy. Actually, she said you have a goofy smile. Personally, I think it’s kind of a nice smile.”
    Crap. The last thing he needed was her being nice to him. “Okay, now I know you bumped your head earlier. Can we forget this conversation and get back to the matter at hand please?”
    “ I will not forget it, because your saying I don’t look old is the nicest thing anyone has said to me this week—if not this month. I will set it aside for now so I can go help Ethan pack. Then I need to think about dinner.” She turned and headed up the stairs, tossing a teasing glance back over her shoulder. “I don’t suppose we could have a pizza delivered?”
    Doug rolled his eyes in response.
    “Pretty much what I thought. Grilled cheese sandwiches it is. Hope you like them.”
    “ I’ll eat anything.”
    When she chuckled, he realized how bad that sounded. Coughing, he muttered, “Grilled cheese is fine.” 
    Christine paused on the second step. “You okay?”
    “ Of course I am.” He waved her off.
    She nodded and continued up.
    It took him another moment to realize he was staring at the sway of her hips as she ascended.
    Doug shook his head to clear it and stomped into the kitchen. He knew his way around a grilled cheese sandwich. He could get them started. It ’d give him something productive to think about besides Christine’s shapely backside in a pair of jeans.
     
    * * * *
     
    Christine helped Ethan pack while attempting to fend off a dozen questions.
    “ But where are we going, Mom? Should I bring my swimming suit? Will I still be able to go to Trent Brockston’s birthday party next weekend?”
    His questions went in one ear and out the other, mainly because she didn ’t have the answers he needed. The child’s name triggered something in her, though. “Trent Brockston? Isn’t he the kid who threw up at lunch?”
    “ His party’s not ‘til Sunday. He’ll be better by then. But we have to get him a present. He likes Megatroids and Battlebots. Can we go to the store after school tomorrow?”
    “ I don’t know,