Read Online Crazy in Chicago by Norah-Jean Perkin - Free Book Online Page B

and the need simmering inside grew stronger with each passing second. Holding his gaze, Roberta teetered on the edge between what she wanted to do and what she should do.  
    Because, despite all her goals, at this exact moment she wanted nothing more than to feel his lips on hers once more. She wanted his breath on her neck, the touch of his hands on her body. She wanted to explore the promise she could see shimmering clearly in those dark, dark eyes. She wanted—
    She shut her eyes and wrenched herself away from him. What she wanted, she couldn’t have. Not when her first real chance to delve into a potential alien abduction was at hand. Her chance to finally make her mark in the field of UFOs and extraterrestrials.
    She bit her lip hard and opened her eyes. The tall, charming man who represented her best chance, raised his lips in the smile she knew had broken a score of hearts.
    His eyes danced. “I think you’ve revived me. Come on, let’s go.”
    * * *
    In the apartment five stories above, Allie nursed the baby in worried silence. The child fussed and didn’t drink much. Finally she fell into a fitful sleep, and Allie settled her in her crib behind the screen at the foot of their bed.
    When she returned to the living room, Erik stood staring out the window, much as he had when Cody and Bobbi arrived. Allie stopped beside him. She looked outside, but saw nothing to hold his attention. After several silent moments, she spoke. “That’s the third time this week Star has screamed like that, and turned all white.”
    Erik didn’t respond. Allie turned towards him and covered his hand with hers. “What’s going on, Erik?”
    Erik regarded her solemnly. To the casual observer, his expression remained the same, but Allie knew him well enough to see the worry burning in his eyes.
    â€œI’m not sure. I—it’s too soon to be sure.”
    â€œSure of what? Come on, Erik. Now isn’t the time to go unresponsive on me. This is our daughter we’re talking about. Our baby!”
    Erik’s mouth tightened in a grim line. “I know. Don’t think I’m not concerned. But I need more time to be sure. For all we know, maybe every baby does this. Do you know? I know I don’t.”
    â€œBut what about Cody?” Allie persisted. “Why did he almost faint when he picked Star up?”
    Erik shook his head.
    â€œAnd you heard what Cody said,” Allie continued, unable to let it go. “He said he’d had insomnia for more than a week—for ten days. Ten days! That’s when Star was born—and the first time she screamed like that and lost all her color.”
    Allie paused, then asked the question she knew was bothering both of them. “Do you think Cody’s insomnia and nausea and the baby’s screaming are connected?”
    After a long moment of silence, Erik sighed. He turned back to staring out the window. “I don’t know,” he said reluctantly. “They could be.”
    â€œMaybe we should tell him.”
    Alarm flashed across Erik’s face, destroying any illusion of impassivity. “Tell him what?”  
    Allie stepped back, surprised by his uncharacteristic outburst.
    Immediately Erik’s expression softened and regret showed in his eyes. “I’m sorry for snapping. But you know we can’t tell him. Not now. Not ever. It would threaten everything. You. Me. Our life here. But most of all,” he looked significantly at the folding stand separating the main room from the bedroom, “it would threaten Star and her chance to have a normal life.”
    He held Allie’s hands tightly between his own. “No. At present, we have to wait. Wait and see. That’s our only choice.”
    â€œBut Cody is . . .”
    â€œCody is a strong, resourceful man. You know it as well as I do. He’ll be all right.”

 
    Chapter 4
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    The insistent ringing of