Read Online Operation: Normal by Linda V. Palmer - Free Book Online

as low. "Why not?"
    "What if you're wrong, and it was the nanny who sent the note? Wouldn't that mean that
you might be in danger?"
    I opened my mouth to protest. Zach touched his fingers to my lips, stopping me.
    "I realize I'm not really entitled to an opinion." He sighed. "It just...well...you shouldn't
take chances. I'd really hate for Kayly to get caught in the crossfire."
    "You're probably right," I answered, trying not to take offense at his obvious lack of
concern for me, Kayly's big sister and protector. Turning, I walked back to Heath and Minka.
"Guess you're both wondering what that was all about."
    "Actually, we eavesdropped, so have a pretty good idea," replied Minka. "Are you
worried about your mom?"
    "Not so much," I admitted. "It all seems a little unreal, you know? Like someone's idea
of a joke."
    "I knew nothing good could come of her filming Blak Magyk." Heath cast Zach a
resentful glance before focusing on me. "Are you going to the game with us or not?"
    "Not, I guess. Mom said she'd call later, which means I'll have to tell her about the letter.
I'm thinking it might be best if there isn't any crowd noise or the crack of a ball bat in the
background."
    "Maybe we'll skip the game too, then." Heath glanced at Minka. "There's always
tomorrow night or even this weekend. The Express are home for a while. Okay with you?"
    "Sure," Minka replied with a secret told-you-so wink at me.
    I honestly didn't know what to say. Luckily I didn't have to think of anything.
    "I should go," said Zach. He looked a little flustered for some reason. "Will you and
Kayly be all right alone tonight?"
    "Of course."
    Zach nodded as if he wasn't so sure. "Call me on my cell if you need me, okay? I keep it
on all the time."
    "What's that number?" I asked, glad that I could make it clear that I hadn't saved it. I had
my pride.
    He gave me the number. I programmed it into my own cell.
    Zach walked to Kayly, knelt down, and gave her a big kiss on top of her head. My heart
totally melted. Minka's did, too, if her soft sigh was anything to go by. There was just something
about guys with babies that got us females every time. As for Heath, well, he rolled his eyes and
looked thoroughly unimpressed.
    I walked Zach to the door, where we said an awkward goodbye after he made me
promise to slip the deadbolt the minute he left.
    He stepped into the hall. I shut and bolted the door. He immediately tested it by turning
the knob and, from the sound of things, lunging at it with his shoulder. Talk about paranoia. I
jumped back, startled, and exchanged a glance with Minka, who fell back against the couch,
laughing like an idiot.
    "I think he's hot for you," she teased when I got back to the couch.
    That comment shocked me. First, because she honestly seemed to think Heath cared for
me, yet said that in front of him. Second, because her words weren't even remotely true. Why,
the boy hadn't given me one single indication that he might be interested in me in that way. Not
one.
    "He's just being careful of Kayly, okay?" I retorted. "He's totally flipped for her. I mean,
you should have seen him earlier. He changed diapers, shoveled food into her mouth--"
    "How long was he here, anyway?" interjected Heath rather sharply.
    "He arrived about an hour before you two did."
    "Great. I'll bet your mom would flip if she knew you let some strange guy in the
apartment."
    "He's not strange," Minka said.
    "Or just some guy," I added. "He's Kayly's brother."
    "Kayly's half-brother," said Heath. "Which makes him a big fat nothing to you."
    I frowned. "What are you saying?"
    "I'm saying you don't know anything about him beyond the fact that he claims to be the
son of the man who fathered your half-sister. Did you even ask for any ID? What if he's not who
he says he is? What if he's really some perv, taking advantage of the gullible teenager who came
knocking on his door last night? Hell, what if that letter's from him?"
    Minka and I looked at each other and cracked up,