Read Online Broken Lives by Brenda Kennedy - Free Book Online Page A

me with a water bottle in his hand. He has changed from
jeans into a pair of gym shorts.
    He reaches for the pack of batteries and a
battery-operated airplane. “I’m sorry about Molly showing up today.
I have no idea how she knew where we were going to be
today.” 
    “ Don’t be sorry. I don’t
blame you for her showing up. Did she say what she
wanted?” 
    “ She wanted money. Brooke
was ready to beat her down when I got there.” 
    “ I’m glad you got there when
you did.” 
    “ I’m sorry, Emma; it won’t
happen again.”
    Alec
    “ Emma, do you mind if I go
for a run on the beach?” 
    “ No, of course
not.” 
    “ I’ll just be an hour or
so.” 
    “ Take as long as you want.
I’ll start dinner while you’re gone.” 
    “ Ok, sounds great. You know
I love you, right?” 
    “ I do. Are you all
right?” 
    I bend down and kiss her. “I’m fine, I’ll be
home soon.” 
    “ Home, I like when you say
that.” 
    “ Me, too; call me if you
need me.” 
    I go for a run and try to clear my thoughts
of the events of the day. Molly showing up at James’ birthday party
could have been a disaster. Only three people know the real reason
why Molly was there and her true intent. I just pray Brooke never
tells Emma.
    I remember a conversation I
had with Max’s dad when I first realized I was in love with
Emma . I also want you to know that if you
hurt her, I will find you and when I do, it won’t be pretty. Do not
play with her or her emotions.
    I run further than I anticipated and call
Emma and tell her I am on my way back. I also call Molly’s mom,
Bridget, to see if she’ll keep Raelynn tonight while I work. I run
back to Emma’s house; she is in the kitchen making dinner and the
kids are both on the floor playing with James’ new birthday toys.
He has his cars, trucks, and trains spread all over the floor and
Raelynn is playing with her new doll baby. The karaoke machine is
even on the coffee table, next to the Barbie doll and Barbie
clothes. 
    “ Dinner smells
delicious.”
    “ Thank you. James wanted
homemade pizza for his birthday dinner.” 
    “ I’ll shower and then I can
help you.” 
    “ Go and shower — this is
almost ready.” 
    I shower before dinner and
plaster on a happy face. Although Emma looks over at me several
times, she doesn’t question my silence. I feel torn and I need to
make the right decision. I’m not even sure what the right choice
is.
    “ Raelynn, grandma called.
She wants you to stay with her tonight. She said she misses you,” I
lie. 
    “ I miss her. Can I take my
new Barbie doll with me?” 
    “ The kids have school
tomorrow. I can watch her,” Emma says, softly. 
    “ Molly’s mom,
Bridget, hasn’t watched her in a while, and it’s the only time Raelynn gets to
spend time with her grandparents,” I whisper.
    “ I see, and, Raelynn, I
think your grandmother would love to see your new Barbie,” Emma
says. 
    After dinner I help Emma clean up and I
realize she is more quiet than usual. “If you’ll excuse me, I need
to give James his last birthday present for today.” 
    “ Oh, did we forget a
gift?” 
    “ No, it’s a letter from his
dad. Max must have known he wouldn’t survive his tour of duty and
wrote James letters with specific instructions to open them on
certain dates. He has one for his 5 th birthday. I just need a few
minutes with James alone. As you can imagine, it’s very
emotional.” 
    “ Emma, Raelynn and I need to
get going. I want to have her over at her grandparents’ house
before dark. It’ll also give you some alone time with
James.” 
    “ It’s still too early for
your shift; are you coming back?” 
    “ No, I’m going to go by the
house and make sure it’s cleared out. Madison is putting it on the
market tomorrow, and I just want to make sure it’s ready to be
listed.” 
    “ I understand.” Emma helps
to pack Raelynn’s overnight bag and she also tells her to get a
jacket. I kiss James