Read Online Inherited: Instant Family by Judy Christenberry - Free Book Online

They’ll always be my family.” He glanced her way and found Sarah staring fiercely at him, as if making sure he realized that she had accepted her responsibility.
    “I understand that, but that means you have to make enough to support them. That won’t be easy.”
    She squared her jaw and stared straight ahead. “I know that.”
    “Are you going to stay in Sydney Creek?”
    “If I can. But when Abby doesn’t need me anymore, I’ll have to go wherever I can get a job.”
    “It’s a heavy load.”
    “Yes, but they are my family.”
    “Okay. I just wanted to be sure you’d thought it out.”
    “I knew what I was doing when I took them away. I couldn’t leave them in the home with that monster.”
    He reached out for her hand and squeezed it in a comforting gesture. “They’re lucky kids, Sarah. They’ve got you.”
    Sarah didn’t respond.
    After a couple of miles he spoke up again. “Cheyenne’s coming up. How about we stop and eat there?”
    “Only if we go to the drive-through. I really want to get back to Anna and Davy.”
    Brad smiled. “I figured as much. That’s not a problem. I can eat while I’m driving.”
    They stopped at a barbecue place and were back on the road in a matter of minutes.
    They drove in silence as they ate. He looked at Sarah occasionally, but she kept her gaze on her food or the passing scenery. Was she avoiding him?
    “Sarah, did I upset you?”
    Her head spun around until she was looking at him. “No, of course not.”
    Then she turned away again.
    He wasn’t sure what he’d done. Maybe he shouldn’t have pushed her about the reality of having the kids. But she needed to be sure of her choice. Not that he thought she was wrong. If something happened to Abby and Nick, he wouldn’t hesitate to take care of Robbie and the twins. But he’d have help. His mom and Mike were there. And the other kids, Charlie, Julie, Jason and Matt, would all help, too.
    He wasn’t alone.
    Sarah, however, had no one.
    The realization sobered him. Made him admire her all the more. She was ready tomeet the challenges ahead, no matter how difficult life became for her.
    He’d never met such an amazing woman as the one seated next to him.
    Despite his desire to tell her, he knew it was probably best to let that topic rest for now. Instead he chose small talk. “Was your sandwich good?” he asked.
    “Yes, it was.”
    “Would you tell me if it was bad?” he teased.
    “Probably, but it was good.”
    “Really? You always like everything. Are you being honest?”
    That seemed to put Sarah over the edge. She snapped at him, “Yes, I am, and I’m tired of your attitude! You’ve provided everything I needed this week. Of course I liked your choices. You never once considered yourself. Did you think I didn’t realize that? And now you want to complain because I liked what you provided for me? You’re being impossible!”
    “I was supposed to make this week easierfor you. I appreciate your enjoying how we managed. It wasn’t difficult to please you. But I have to say that can be bothersome. You never complain.”
    “That’s because you have no idea how horrible my life was until I ended up in the middle of your family. I’m sorry you don’t appreciate what you have.”
    “Hey! I appreciate my family! I know they’re wonderful!”
    “Fine!”
    Brad was about to speak but stopped himself. When had they started arguing? And why? He didn’t want to fight with Sarah, especially now, when they should be celebrating.
    He decided not to talk at all, letting a long silence fill the truck cab. After a while he turned on the radio, found a football game and settled in to listen to the game.
    It was safer that way.
    Sarah leaned against the seat cushion and closed her eyes. She was disappointed withBrad. Back in Denver he’d been wonderful to her. But now he had insisted on presenting her future to her. She knew it was grim. She knew she’d taken on a lot. But she had no choice. She