Read Online Jailbird by Heather Huffman - Free Book Online

the
story.”
    “Go get changed before you catch your death
of a cold,” he pinched the bridge of his nose as if to stave off a
headache.
    “My other outfit isn’t clean,” I blurted out
without thinking. I belatedly realized I shouldn’t have said
anything when I saw the worried look on his face.
    “You’re going to be the death of me.”
    “Hey Conrad…”
    “Yes?”
    “I love you.”
    “I love you, too.”
    “Alí:la mõ,” I kissed his cheek and hopped
out of the truck into the pouring rain.
    “You’re welcome,” I heard him say as I closed
the door. I turned and bounded up the stairs, realizing as I stood
wringing out my dress and hair that Charlie’s car was in its spot
behind the house. I hadn’t seen that from the front.
    I muttered a curse under my breath, which I
realized he’d heard when I looked up to see him standing in the
doorway with a wounded look on his face. I let out another curse,
to which he scowled and walked away.
    “Charlie,” I followed him in, a trail of
water dripping as I went.
    “So what is this, some kind of con?”
    “Excuse me?”
    “Are you running some kind of con on us? Is
he your boyfriend?”
    “No, he’s not my boyfriend,” I snorted in
disgust.
    “Nice. Very ladylike.”
    “Accusing me of being a con artist isn’t
exactly gentlemanly.”
    “Well, what am I supposed to think?” His
voice was nearing a shout.
    “He’s not my boyfriend and I’m not conning
you,” my shoulders dropped. He had a point, what was he supposed to
think? “He’s my brother.”
    “Right. You’re brother,” this time he
snorted.
    “I promised Isabel we’d have dinner with her.
Can we finish this fight later?”
    “No need. I think we’re done now.”
    “We are not finished here.”
    “You can’t force me to fight with you.”
    “But I can ask you to listen to me,” I
pointed out.
    “Why? So you can lie to me some more?”
    “You know… I’ve actually been pretty damned
honest with you.”
    “Would you please stop swearing like a
sailor?”
    “Well I have… you know what? This is getting
us nowhere. Can we please go to dinner? Then I have one place I
want you to take me. After that, if you still say we’re done, then
we’re done.”
    “Fine. Fine... fine.”
    “Fine.”
    I stormed out the door with him right behind
me. It was a frigid ride to the Torres house. I didn’t stop to
answer Anjelita’s questioning gaze. I was afraid the tears would
burst past the newly opened dam again. Alone in the bathroom, I
splashed some cold water on my face. I stared at my reflection in
the mirror. I already looked more human than I had just the week
before. My face was less sunken, my cheeks less sallow. I looked
almost… soft. Feminine.
    I stared at the woman in the mirror and
admitted to myself that I was afraid I’d lose Charlie even before I
had a chance to sort out what I was feeling for him. The fact that
I was afraid worried me even more. What happened to my
priorities?
    With a deep sigh, I left the bathroom before
anyone came to find me. I stopped short when I realized Charlie was
talking to Anjelita about me.
    “If you could have seen the way she looked at
this guy…” his voice was ragged. Without his anger to fuel my own,
my heart went out to him. I had hurt him. Four days and I’d hurt
him already. What was it with me?
    “Was it Conrad?” Isabel’s pretty voice broke
into their conversation.
    “Who’s Conrad?” It was obvious she had the
adults’ attention now. I smiled a little and walked into the
kitchen. Isabel looked at me, her eyes obviously asking permission
to tell them.
    “It’s okay sweetie, it’s not a secret,” I
assured her.
    “He’s Miss Neena’s brother,” she announced,
very proud to know something the adults didn’t. Relief washed over
Charlie’s expression, only to be instantly replaced by
distrust.
    Anjelita’s face lit up. “Is your brother in
town?”
    “He is,” I met her smile. “He wants to meet
everyone,