Read Online Her Unlikely Family by Missy Tippens - Free Book Online

every bite of a combo meal and isn’t fat.”
    Josie huffed. “Thanks for telling everyone for miles around.”
    Pointing to the plastic tubes filled with kids, he raised his voice another notch. “If Lisa hadn’t placed us in the middle of this cacophony just to avoid talking to me, I wouldn’t have to yell.”
    Josie sighed. He could see it, anyway. Not hear it. And she barely shook her head.
    He’d blown it again. Why couldn’t he think before criticizing? It obviously didn’t do an ounce of good. As he watched in dread, Lisa slammed her uneaten food back into the word-search-decorated sack and dumped it—with great show—into the trash bin before stalking out of the restaurant.
    He followed her lead and threw away the last couple of bites of his chicken sandwich. “I guess we’re leaving.”
    â€œOkay by me.” Josie cleaned her mess off the table.
    As they exited the play area, and he could once again hear himself think, he said, “Does Lisa always eat so poorly?”
    â€œI’ve had to remind her to eat sometimes, especially breakfast. But she seemed to eat okay before—”
    He waited a moment, then filled in the blank. “Before I arrived.”
    â€œI’m sorry. But, yes. This was the worst she’s eaten since I met her.”
    â€œI guess it’ll just take time.”
    â€œYeah. Don’t worry about it. And don’t pressure her.”
    Easier said than done.
    Once he and Josie filed into his car, joining Lisa, and buckled seat belts, he adjusted his rearview mirror to see his niece in the backseat. “I’m sorry, Lisa. I have no right to comment on what you eat or on your choice of restaurant. You’re old enough to make those decisions.”
    In his peripheral vision, Josie smiled. “See, Lisa. He’s teachable. And that’s exactly what we’re going to do.”
    â€œWhadaya mean?” she asked.
    This was the moment he’d avoided all evening. Lisa wouldn’t be happy when she heard about the deal he and Josie had made. “She means…well, that I’m going to stay in town for a few days while she helps me learn to be a good…guardian.”
    â€œYou’re teaming up against me?”
    â€œNo,” they said together.
    â€œHe—”
    â€œShe—” they said at the same time.
    â€œSee, you’re giving me the company line already,” Lisa said.
    Josie turned around in her seat. “Lisa, honey, your uncle needs to learn what you’re all about. I offered to help.”
    Lisa looked out the car window, her arms crossed tightly in front of herself. “If you two gang up on me, I’m out the door.”
    â€œI promise we won’t,” Michael said. “Just promise me you’ll give it a chance.”
    â€œI’m not promising anything.”
    Would she promise if he threatened to lock her in the car until she did? Michael wanted to yell in frustration. His hands shook as he started the car and put it in Reverse. He didn’t trust himself to speak. Nice words, words of assurance, weren’t possible at the moment.
    Please, God, help me understand how her mind works. Give me patience when all I want to do is shake her and make her do exactly what I want her to do. Why can’t she see that I want what is best for her?
    He swallowed hard to block the lump of fear trying to work its way to the surface.
    Â 
    Even with the dinner debacle, Michael managed to sleep that night. He awakened to a gorgeous morning in the Smoky Mountains and sipped coffee while standing on the surprisingly generous balcony of his motel room overlooking the Little Pigeon River. Crystal-clear water rushed over mounds of smooth, mossy rocks, creating a constant roar. The sound had lulled him to sleep at 10:00 p.m., the first time he’d been to bed before midnight in years.
    Now, with caffeine fix in hand, he was more prepared to take