When Least Expected by Allison B. Hanson Read Free Book Online Page A

never fought. He’d never screamed at her. Not once.
    â€œAhh,” Aidan said, like he understood completely. “She took me for ice cream at that place you always take me. That’s where I picked.”
    â€œThat sounds like fun.”
    He shrugged like he wasn’t sure.
    Seconds later, Kelly’s car squealed into the driveway. She ran to Aidan and picked him up, hugging him fiercely.
    â€œMama? Why are you crying?” he asked, his bottom lip beginning to quiver. “Aunt Lexi said I didn’t mess up.”
    â€œYou didn’t, baby. You didn’t. Mommy is just so glad to see you.”
    â€œGrown-ups have mix-communal-cations,” he butchered the word, making Kelly laugh through her tears.
    â€œThey sure do.” Kelly looked over at Ian and Meeghan. It was a good thing for Meeghan that Kelly was holding her son, or Kelly most likely would have beaten the girl to a pulp. Lexi gave herself a moment to appreciate the image.
    When the police arrived, Lexi excused herself to leave. The family crisis was over. She had to admit, it felt pretty good to still be included. She still had a family.
    As she was in bed that night, reading but not seeing the words on the page, her phone rang.
    She answered it, assuming it would be Kelly, but it wasn’t.
    â€œHey,” Ian said. His voice was rougher than normal, probably hoarse from yelling so much.
    â€œIs everything okay?” she asked.
    â€œYes. Thank you for coming today.” He sounded so tired.
    â€œThanks for calling me. I know I’m not technically part of—”
    â€œYou are part of this family, Lex, and . . . and I don’t want you to change your name in the fall. I should have told you that.” He took a deep, shaky breath. She wished she could reach through the phone and hold him. She knew he needed someone to hold him. “Unless you want to change it. Whatever you want. Shit. I’m not trying to tell you what to do. I’m sorry.”
    â€œIt’s okay. It’s been a long day.”
    â€œIt sure has.” He took another long breath. “I’m glad you were there today. I’ll see you this weekend.”
    â€œYeah. I’m planning to head up Thursday after school.”

Chapter 4
    I an was back at his uncle’s the next day to take care of some things for the estate. He tried not to think about where he would be the next day.
    On the way to the cabin with Lexi.
    One minute he was excited and happy. The next he was sick and reluctant so he stopped in to check on Kelly and Aidan. He still felt responsible for her panic.
    â€œHey, Aidan. Tell Uncle Ian why Meeghan said it was okay to go with her yesterday,” Kelly said with her brow raised.
    â€œShe told me she was going to be my new aunt and Aunt Lexi wasn’t going to be around anymore.” Aidan frowned. “I would rather have Aunt Lexi, if it’s okay.”
    â€œSure, bud. It’s fine.”
    â€œIs Aunt Lexi not going to be around anymore?” his nephew asked, sounding worried. Ian wanted to find Meeghan and yell at her some more.
    â€œAunt Lexi loves you so much. She’ll be around whenever you want her. All we need to do is call her and she’ll come,” Kelly said, putting her son’s fears to rest.
    â€œReally?” Aidan looked up at Ian for verification.
    â€œYes,” he assured him. “She’s not going away.”
    â€œGood!” he said and ran off to play a video game.
    â€œWhat kind of witch says that to a kid?” Kelly said. “Oh, I know. The kind who kidnaps kids. What was she going to do next? Stuff him into an oven?”
    â€œFor the last time, she didn’t kidnap him. She picked him up, took him for ice cream, and brought him home.”
    â€œDon’t defend her.”
    â€œI know she didn’t go about it the right way, but I don’t think she intended any harm.”
    â€œScaring my son by telling him his