Read Online Behind Closed Doors by Debbi Rawlins - Free Book Online Page A

in a very long while.
    She flexed her toes. They felt better already. But that was it for those boots. Liberty had been sweet to buy them, but they weren’t suitable to be worn outside or for work. Beth turned to the clock, then peered out the screen door. It was getting dark. Anger faded to fear. Why wasn’t Liberty answering her phone? She’d never ignored Beth’s calls before.
    It was getting chilly, so Beth got up to close the storm door. She peeked outside first, just as she’d done a dozen times in the past thirty minutes. A black truck with heavily tinted windows slowed in front of the house. She moved down a step and leaned out as far as she could to keep track of where it was headed. The vehicle barely came to a halt when Liberty jumped out of the passenger side and slammed the truck’s door. Her face red and furious, she stomped toward the front of the house.
    Beth hurried into the yard, realizing she wore only one boot when sharp weeds poked through her sock. That didn’t stop her. Before the driver left she wanted to find out what was going on and who’d dropped off her niece. But the truck wasn’t going anywhere. Not just yet. The engine was cut, the door opened and in preparation for battle, Beth drew in a deep breath.
    When Nathan got out, she nearly choked on the exhale. She could only see the back of his head and broad shoulders, and the truck was different, no ranch logo on the door, but she had no doubt it was him. His expression grim, Nathan slowly turned to face her and shut his door.
    “What are— How did—?” Beth glanced back at the house. Liberty was crouched at the window, peeking out from under the curtain. When Beth turned back to Nathan, he was eyeing the neglected lawn and shabby house. “What happened?” she asked, suddenly so tired she wanted to lie down in the middle of the prickly weeds and curl into a ball.
    “I didn’t expect to see you,” he said, looking even bleaker than he had a few seconds earlier. “So Liberty is yours?”
    Nodding, she shrugged. “My niece.”
    “I’m guessing you know about her hobby.”
    “Yes, I do.” The horror of what must’ve happened finally registered. “Oh, no. She didn’t...again?”
    Nathan rested his forearms on the side of the truck bed and just looked at her. He didn’t answer, but then he needn’t bother. The response she dreaded was there in the tightness around his mouth.
    “I’m sorry.” She swallowed. “I’ve been calling her since she didn’t show up after school.” Oh, God, he didn’t care about that, she thought, and noticed the light spatter of turquoise paint on his black shirt. Turquoise? Really, Liberty? At least it wasn’t red from the spray can she’d let the girl keep. Beth felt awful enough. “Was anyone with her? An older boy?”
    Nathan shook his head. “Just her.”
    Beth sighed. “Did you notify the sheriff?”
    His gaze ran down the front of her T-shirt and jeans to her toes, then rested on her foot, the one wearing only a stocking. “Is that what you want me to do?” he asked in a quiet voice as he lifted his eyes to her face.
    “No.” She pushed a hand through her tangled hair. “Yes,” she corrected, forcing the word past her lips and briefly closing her eyes. Reporting the violation could mean detention at a Kalispell facility. “Liberty has to understand there are consequences.” She glanced back toward the dark house. No lamps had been turned on. If Liberty snuck out the kitchen door...
    “I agree,” Nathan said. “Though the judge’s ruling obviously hasn’t done any good.”
    “True.” Beth felt a chill and rubbed her arm. The sun’s warmth was gone, leaving behind brisk dusky air. “But it’s our job, her mother and I, to get her back on the right path.”
    “You’re cold.”
    “I’m fine.”
    “And tense.”
    “Of course I am. I’ve been worried sick.” Hugging herself, she rocked back on her heels, jerking when something pricked her stockinged foot. “Why