Saving Sara (Redemption #1) by Nicola Marsh Read Free Book Online

concerned gaze darted between her and Olly, and she wondered what the real reason was for this visit.
    “Come on in.” She climbed the steps and beckoned them to follow. “Hope you like cookies and cake and brownies, Olly.”
    “Wow.” Olly stared at her like she’d promised him a trip to Disneyland. “I don’t get treats very often.”
    Cilla didn’t know what to say to that so she settled for a smile.
    “Thanks.” Jake looked like he didn’t know whether to hug her again or make a run for his car, leaving the boy behind. “I remember your baking.”
    As Olly bounded into the house ahead of them, she lowered her voice. “Pity you didn’t keep in touch after your dad died.”
    Guilt twisted his mouth. “That’s another thing I remember. Your bluntness.”
    Cilla shrugged. “Why waste time not saying what you mean? Life’s too short.”
    “True.” Jake held up his hands, palm up, like he had nothing to hide. “Sorry. I’ve got no excuse other than after Dad died I moved on. Concentrated on aircraft mechanics. Supported Rose as best I could.” He blew out a breath. “Left my past behind.”
    “Don’t blame you for that.” She laid a hand on his shoulder, patted it. “Did the same myself.”
    “I bet you did.”
    They exchanged a long, loaded glance filled with understanding and empathy.
    “Anyway, that part of our lives is over,” she said, bustling him into the house. “You can tell me about Rose and Olly later.”
    “There’s a lot to tell,” he muttered, his expression pained as they entered the kitchen, where Olly hovered near the laden table, his eyes wide as saucers.
    Jake lowered his voice. “If it’s not too much of an imposition, can we stay the night?”
    “Absolutely,” she said, secretly pleased she’d have more time with Jake. “We’ll have a good natter when Olly’s in bed.”
    He nodded, suddenly grave. “Thanks, Aunt Cilla. You owe me nothing, after the way I’ve ignored you all these years, yet you’re as welcoming as ever—”
    “Stop. You’re family.” She slipped an arm around his waist and hugged. “And family sticks together. Always.”
    He slung an arm across her shoulders and hugged her back. “That’s what I’m hoping to instill in Olly.”
    Who lost patience with them at that moment and started shifting his weight from foot to foot. “I’m starving,” he declared, crossing his arms and glaring at Jake with intense dislike. “Really starving.”
    “Have you washed up?” Cilla said, ushering Jake toward the table and heading for the fridge.
    Olly frowned. “I don’t usually wash my hands before eating at home.”
    “Well, it’s a good habit,” Cilla said. “You don’t want the yumminess of those cookies spoiled by yucky germs, do you?”
    Olly pondered for a moment, before nodding. “Where’s the bathroom?”
    “Please,” Jake added. “We make manners a habit here too.”
    Olly’s gaze swung between them, ascertaining how hard he could push, before shrugging. “Okay.”
    “You can wash up through there.” Cilla pointed to the mudroom . “Would you like some lemonade? It’s homemade.”
    “Yes,” Olly said. “Please,” he added, after a pointed glare fr om Jake.
    “Seems like a nice kid,” Cilla said, as she took the jug from the fridge and poured lemonade into three glasses.
    “Rose does her best.” Jake took the glasses and placed them on the table. “It’s been hard for her.”
    “She’s a single mother?”
    Jake nodded. “Olly’s father died before he was born.”
    “Poor girl.” She sat at the table. “She must’ve had it tough.”
    “You don’t know the half of it,” Jake said under his breath, as Olly ran back into the kitchen and waved his hands in the air.
    “All clean, so can we eat now?” Olly sat in the chair next to Ci lla and scoot ed closer to the table.
    “You bet.” Cilla nudged his glass closer. “And here’s your lemonade .”
    “Thanks,” Olly said, as he piled two brownies, three