Read Online A Child's Heart (Trent & Cassie's Story) A River City Novel by E. Ayers - Free Book Online Page A

license is dirt cheap. Getting
caught without one is a huge fine. Our licenses and the bait will
be less than twelve dollars. Shawn said you have fishing poles. The
way I figure it is once we have the licenses, we can do this often,
and it will only be the cost of the bait.”
    “Are you sure that’s all?”
    “Yes. It’s the hunting licenses that are expensive. I
thought maybe I’d pack some sandwiches for us, and we could have a
picnic.”
    “I’ve got a better idea because I doubt you have a
cooler. I’ll bring the drinks and the sandwiches. I’ve got orange
juice, apple juice, or Pepsi.”
    “I’ve got bottled water and flavored water. I’ll
bring my own beverage and some extras. I’ve also got pretzels,
chips, and some mini bags of cookies. I can make a salad. I’ve got
a bag of greens and some grape tomatoes.”
    “Plastic forks?”
    “No. Do you have them?"
    "I do.”
    "Super!"
    “You’re on. Give me about forty-five minutes. I’m
covered in sawdust, and I’ll pick you up.”
    She smiled when she hung up the
phone. For once, he wasn’t fighting with her about the money, and
maybe that’s because they were sharing the expense. Gleefully, she
changed into jeans and a tee shirt. But when she checked in the
mirror, her heart sank. Colleen had been voluptuous and rounded.
The image in the mirror was that of a young boy. He didn’t seem to mind the other night, but maybe
he was too horny to care.
    Turning sideways and peering at
the reflection, only served to emphasize the smallness of her
breasts. She popped the tee shirt over her head and quickly found
something more feminine. The pale blue silk knit hugged her body
and was cut lower in the front. At least
it shows what little I have.
    Rummaging through her jewelry box, she found a small
pendant that hung teasingly low. She put matching earrings in her
ears, then pulled her hair into a ponytail. Taking one last brief
glance in the long mirror, she smiled as she left her bedroom,
hoping the jewelry would pique Trent’s interest and Shawn wouldn’t
know what he was seeing.

 
    ~~8~~
     
    When Cassie’s doorbell rang, she grabbed her package
off the counter and opened the door to Trent and Shawn.
“Welcome!”
    “Wow, this place is awesome,” Shawn said with wide
eyes and a bright grin.
    She put her parcel by the door and offered to show
him the birdcage.
    “You have a bird?” Shawn's eyes lit up.
    “No, it’s a porch, but all the residents call it a
birdcage. There’s a nice view of the city.” She opened two French
doors to a small balcony fully encased in a decorative wrought iron
fence.
    Shawn pointed. “You can see the river from here.”
    “And there’s the hospital, and if you look real hard,
you’ll see the green strip that is part of the park.”
    “Quite a view,” Trent reiterated.
    “Would you believe I’m not real fond of such
heights?”
    “Then why rent the place?”
    “It was a good deal, and these upper floors are
quiet.”
    Trent shook his head and stepped back inside. “Come
on, Shawn. We’re going fishing.”
    “I put my items in the brown paper bag.”
    Trent lifted the bag from the small table by the
door. “Where are we going?”
    “Daddy, you said we were going fishing.”
    Before Trent had a chance to answer, Cassie said,
“The Outdoorsman in Riverton. We have to get bait and our fishing
licenses.”
    “Oh, another stop?” Shawn made a very sad face.
    “We have plenty of time, son.”
    Cassie grabbed her purse and a sweatshirt. “I’m
ready. Does anyone need to use the bathroom before we leave?”
    Shawn looked at his dad.
    “Right through there.” Cassie pointed to the powder
room.
    A minute later, Shawn returned. “Your bathroom sure
smells good.”
    “Thank you. It’s from the potpourri I keep in
there.”
    “What’s po-po-pa--”
    “Potpourri. That stuff I had in the bowl next to the
sink. It’s mostly chips of wood and dried herbs that have special
scenting oils on them. Years ago,