Under the Aspens (The Aspen Series) by Elizabeth Sherry Read Free Book Online Page A

hers, he’d be surprised if he didn’t choke the life out of him.  It would be worth the consequences if only he knew the man couldn’t hurt her ever again.
    He lifted her chin and kissed the tears off her face, “Shush. We’ll get through this.  It will end, I promise you.  Let me help you in the jeep, then we’ll go back to your house, and while you rest, I’ll make some calls.  Someone knows something.  And I’m going to find out what,” When he set his mind on something, nothing could stop him from accomplishing that act.

Chapter 8
     
    When she woke, Sher’s first thought was for aspirin. After she took a couple, she felt almost human again. She was confused about what happened, and why.  She decided, after another cup of coffee, to try calling Brad again, and then she would search through the garage for anything that didn’t belong to her.  She headed to the kitchen and coffee.  If she hadn’t gotten enough caffeine, she knew the headache would return in full force.
    “Hhhmmmm, something smells wonderful. What are you doing up so early?”Sher said before she kissed the back of Glen’s neck.
    “I decided to let you sleep while I make these delicious gluten-free crepes you love so much. I hope I remember how. It’s with ham, Swiss cheese, and grape jelly, right?  And I also decided to throw together some hash browns to go with them.  But you can’t spoil the surprise.  You are going to get served in bed.” He already put everything on the tray.
    “Yummy.  You are such a romantic, and I am so lucky. I just want to call Brad, again, first.  He’s supposed to return home today. Give me a minute, and then I will jump back in bed, and we can eat.”
    He hadn’t told her yet about what David found at the campsite.  He knew he shouldn’t keep it from her, but it wasn’t going to be easy letting her know her brother was missing. Although they both had their own lives, and grew apart some, Brad was the only family she had now.  He decided he would have to tell her after breakfast.  Maybe they both needed to go to Brad’s apartment and look around, because it seemed like everything that happened to Sher, connected to Brad and William.
    “There’s still no answer on Brad’s phone.  It keeps going straight to voice mail.  I want to go to his apartment this morning and check on him.  He might be sick or hurt.  I am really getting worried.”
    “Eat.  Then we’ll get dressed and go, after you do as promised, and jump back into the bed and eat,” he replied.
    She patted her stomach a few minutes later, and moaned, “I am so stuffed.  You did a perfect job with the crepes.  I can’t believe I ate so much.”
    “You need fuel.  A body can go only so long without proper nutrition. Trust me, I’m a cop,” He laughed softly.
    She reached for his plate, to clean up, but he stopped her, “Sit for a moment.  I need to talk to you.”
    “You look worried.  What’s wrong?  Has something else happened?”  Her hand now shook, and her breath came in fast gasps, but she sat back down and crossed her arms in front of herself.  He recognized the move as part of her defense.
    “I’m a little worried myself about your brother.  Yesterday, while you were being checked by the medics, David informed me of something I think you should know.  I asked him Saturday to go to Estes Park and find Brad.  He found Brad’s car, phone, campsite, but no Brad. There are signs of a struggle and some blood by your brother’s car.  Not a lot of blood, but enough to worry me,” As he related his conversation with David, he waited for the tears to start.
    She sat as though she in shock.  No words, no movement, she just stared at him.  Then he saw that tears filled her eyes.  He moved then, just as the first tear spilled and rolled down her check.  He lifted her onto his lap, and held her tight.  She didn’t sob, just cried silently, which scared him more than the sobbing she had done before.