Read Online Shelter Me by Catherine Mann - Free Book Online

half-eaten chili. He picked up a king-sized pillowcase and unwrapped his snake from around his neck. He tucked the curled reptile into the pillowcase and knotted the top. “Mom, could you take Bo back inside? I’m going for a walk.”
    Without waiting for an answer, Nathan dropped the writhing pillowcase in the middle of the table, knocking over his glass of tea and sending ice tumbling out. He popped in his earbuds and sulked toward the woods behind the house, attitude radiating from every slouchy step.
    At what age did it stop being okay to walk away from things a person didn’t want to deal with?
    A hefty breeze whipped at the dog blankets and towels hanging on the clothesline, the snap, snap, snap of the fabric echoing like some kind of comic locker-room prank.
    The General scratched his temple, his forehead furrowed with confusion and agitation. “I need more hot sauce.”
    He shot from his seat and fast stepped up the stairs onto the screened porch and into the house.
    Lacey abandoned the pile of bowls and started toward her father-in-law. “I should follow Dad. He’s confused and he senses the tension. That’s never a good combination.”
    She hurried after her father-in-law, so flustered she even forgot to take the snake. Which left Sierra alone, again, with hot Mike and a bunch of unresolved feelings. Suddenly, the absurdity of her life just hit her like a ton of bricks. Why bother fighting or pretending? Might as well just dive right in.
    Sierra picked up the king-sized pillowcase and tightened the knot on top. “Want a new pet?” She thrust the wriggling bag his way. “We have plenty.”
    *   *   *
    A CHUCKLE STARTED somewhere in the middle of Mike’s chest. He’d forgotten about Sierra’s great sense of humor. Somehow over time he’d only remembered their arguments—and the sex.
    But as he looked at her now with her pillow-cased snake in her fist and a grin crinkling her nose, he recalled so much more. The fun times they’d had on dates, everything from Nashville concerts to partying with friends at the river. She had her father’s knack for easing the most awkward moments and bringing out the best in people, putting others’ needs first. Just like her dad. Even as the Colonel had died in Mike’s arms, Allen had managed to slide a moment of dry humor into his final words.
    His good mood deflated.
    The scent of explosives and blood overwhelmed him so hard and fast he swallowed down rising bile. He pushed the memories back, but he knew from experience once the lid lifted on those recalled moments they wouldn’t stay pushed down for long. He had to get out of here fast.
    “Thanks for lunch. You didn’t have to include me, but it was good.” He stood, fishing in his pocket for his truck keys. “I should head back to the motel and catch a nap. My internal clock’s all screwed up from the time change.”
    “Oh, of course.” She inched away. “I appreciate your returning Trooper. His disappearance really scared my mom and me. We spent a lot of time looking so I should probably get moving on the morning chores we never got to. Thank goodness it’s Sunday and I don’t have classes to attend or teach.”
    Mike stopped short. “Is there something I can help with?”
    “I wasn’t hinting. I swear,” she said quickly.
    “I know. You and your mom are both fiercely independent. I totally get that.” Mike scratched the back of his neck, looking around the farmhouse and seeing it with new eyes, especially after what Nathan had just said.
    The porch needed a coat of paint. A shutter hung loose. And the weeds in the garden . . . Holy crap, how did weeds get so tall yet the lawn was perfectly mowed? A strange dichotomy he couldn’t wrap his brain around.
    The Colonel had always talked about how well things were going at home. How strong his wife was. How proud he was of his daughter’s grad school grades and graduate assistantship. “Your father didn’t know how bad things had gotten