Searching for Tomorrow (Tomorrows) by Katie Mac, Kathryn McNeill Crane Read Free Book Online Page B

anything could spoil this, but if they ever did anything that stupid again, I would kill them both. My laughter lightened the mood, and the rest of the weekend was one long, music-filled blast. I hoped this became a tradition for us, because we sure had a lot of fun.

 
     
     

Ch apter Five
Present
     
    I think I am just going to stay here on the floor and let the rest of the world zoom on past me. Liam, bless his heart, has started rubbing my back again. Before Mother Tidwell’s outburst, it was gentle and soothing, really quite nice. Now, I swear he is trying to strip the skin off my back. I start to say something smart to him, and then I see his eyes. The look that he gives me is so heartbreaking; it literally takes my breath away.
    “You know , Sis, I am here for you. Mom and Dad are here for you, and if they had any idea how bad she treats you, they would be so hurt that you haven’t come to them. Geesh, you have friends that would kill for you. Wendy and Jenn would move Heaven and Earth to help you. Just let us in. Let us help. You don’t have to do everything on your own. We all want you to be whole again.”
    I close my eyes, trying in vain to hold back my sobs. I cannot stand to see the pleas that I know are in his eyes. Eventually my sobs soften to whimpers, my whimpers to short, shallow huffs. I know what he says is true. I do have the most amazing people in my life. I know that they love me, warts and all. Most days, I can tamp down the despair; I can rein in the devastation. I work hard every day to shrug off the cloud of depression that threatens to consume me. Unfortunately, it looks like today is not going to be that kind of day for me.
    Liam slips his arms under my back and knees, and gently lifts me from the floor. Heading down the hall towards my room, Liam says, “I think you need a little more rest today, Sis. Why don’t you let me call Charlie? He will understand.”
    Oh, crap. Charlie. I forgot all about work. Looking at the clock, I realize I am now down to twenty minutes before I have to walk out my front door. I believe this morning has been one of the longest of my life.
    Reaching up, I softly kiss Liam on the cheek and give him a big squeeze. “You really are too good to me, you know? Thank you for slaying my dragon today. I hate to think of all the ways we are going to pay for what has happened. You know I have to go to work though. I can’t leave Charlie shorthanded with no notice at the start of the season.”
    Lowering my feet to the floor, Liam pulls me to his side and gives me a one armed hug. “Well, go get ready. I’ve got the girls today. Don’t worry about a thing.”
    Life and employment in Highlands revolve around the seasons . During winter, for the most part, Highlands is a quiet, sleepy little town. There are no fast food restaurants, no big box ‘Marts, and no chain grocery stores here. Because the temperatures can get downright frigid, and snow seems to threaten more often than not, only the bravest of tourists visit during our off-season.
    Spring, summer, and autumn are a different story altogether , where the tourists are concerned. Folks come from all over the world to enjoy the beauty and quiet that has made Highlands famous. At the beginning of season , shop owners up and down Main Street take extra time to spruce up the stores, both inside and out. Windows sparkle from the vigorous scrubbings they receive, and sidewalks get a thorough sweeping and a sudsy wash down. After dusting every nook and cranny until spotless, the staff begins inspecting and counting the inventory, and placing orders for new items. As the new stock arrives, each garment or trinket finds a home on the newly cleaned shelves. The quiet, sleepy air of winter washes away with the hustle and bustle necessary to prepare everything for the coming tourist season, and Main Street slowly wakes from its deep winter’s nap.
    Spring and summer find our mountains bursting forth with vivid greenery.