You Can Run... by Carlene Thompson Read Free Book Online Page A

back safe and sound.”
    “I’m sure you will.” Simon gave Tyler a long, measuring look. “And I have an odd feeling you will return Willow safe and sound, too.”
3
    Tyler Raines gaped when Simon Van Etton turned on the garage lights. A slightly dirty SUV dominated the middle of the three-car garage, but beside it sat a gleaming black Porsche. Simon, obviously watching Tyler’s gaze lock on to the Porsche, managed a wry smile. “I bought that last year. Diana had a fit. She said I was going to kill myself. I replied, ‘At my age, it doesn’t matter, and if I do kill myself, at least I’ll go out in style.’ ”
    Tyler grinned. “I can see why you couldn’t resist it. It’s a beautiful car, Dr. Van Etton.”
    “Take either car you want, Tyler.”
    “The SUV would be the most practical.”
    “I suppose it would, although I know you’d like to take a spin in the Porsche.” Simon walked about a foot away from the door and looked at a Peg-Board holding sets of keys. “Here are the keys to the behemoth over there. We’ll save the Porsche for another time.”
    Tyler hesitated then said reluctantly, “That would be great, but I don’t live here, Dr. Van Etton. Like I said, I just happened to turn onto that street when I saw the house blow up.”
    “So you actually saw the house explode?”
    “Yes, sir.”
    “What do you think happened, Tyler?”
    “I have no idea.” Tyler looked into Simon Van Etton’s keen, dark green eyes. “It could have been faulty wiring or a piece of defective household equipment.”
    Simon stared at him for a moment. “I can tell you’re going to stick with that story, whether or not you believeit.” He sighed. “Well, thank God you were there. Diana is a strong woman. Still, anyone can take only so much. And poor Mrs. Hanson—I don’t even like to think of what could have happened to her. She looks frail enough to snap in two.” The older man put his hand on Tyler’s shoulder. “I want to thank you for taking care of Diana. She’s the dearest person in my life. You also did a very brave thing, running in the house to get Mrs. Hanson.”
    “Anybody would have done the same.”
    “Hell, no, they wouldn’t, and you know it.” Simon paused, frowning. “Is Penny as bad as Diana said?”
    “I didn’t see her entire body—just her face. I’ll be blunt: One side was hideously burned.”
    Color drained from the older man’s complexion and he stiffened, as if marshalling all of his strength.
    “The paramedics, especially one of them, looked as if there wasn’t much hope,” Tyler ended bleakly.
    “Well, they might not believe there is, but I choose to believe there’s always hope, and Penny is a strong girl, just like Diana. Also, they can work miracles with plastic surgery these days. Penny will live and she will be lovely again. I’m absolutely sure of it.” Simon’s volume swelled, as though if he said the words loudly enough, they would come true. He handed the keys to Tyler. “Now go find that little girl.”
    “I can guarantee I’ll return the car, sir, but I can’t guarantee I’ll find Willow.”
    “But you’ll do your best,” Simon said earnestly. “That’s all anyone can do.”
4
    Smoke. Burned wood. Wet ground.
    Willow Conley kept her eyes tightly shut. She didn’t have to see, but she did have to breathe. She tried taking only little breaths, keeping the smells out of her nose, but they were all around her, too much for her to conquer.
    She sighed and scooted closer to a big tree trunk—a tree far back in the woods where she wasn’t allowed to go. The tree limbs above her had begun to sway in the wind, and the leaves whispered to one another. Willow didn’t usually pay any attention to leaves blowing, but tonight their murmurs added to her fright. She pulled up her knees and tried to bury her face in the clean smell of her pink cotton pajama legs, but scrunching up made the right side of her tummy hurt. Besides, her pink pajamas were