Read Online Time to Heal (Harlequin Heartwarming) by Karen Young - Free Book Online Page A

to water-ski. Do you think I could learn?”
    “Sure. First week in June, we’ll take the boat out and you’ll get your first lesson.”
    Michael stared, mute for a second or two. Then he shook his head. “I can’t believe this is really happening.”
    “Want me to pinch you?” Jake asked, taking pleasure in the boy’s uncomplicated delight.
    Michael laughed softly and began carefully folding the T-shirt. “I’ll wear this tomorrow.”
    Jake reached out and touched his shoulder. “We’ll find something else tomorrow, Mike. This is to sleep in tonight.”
    “Huh?”
    There was such complete bewilderment on his face that Jake had to hide his smile. “I guess you’re not used to sleeping in pajamas back in Iowa.”
    “No, sir.” He shrugged. “Nobody sees ’em, so what’s the point?”
    “That’s true.”
    “It saves having to do laundry, and since I was the one who had to go to the laundromat, it made a lot of sense.”
    “You’ve definitely got a point there.”
    “But I guess things are different here, huh?”
    Jake took a breath. “Well, we do have Rachel to think about. Women have certain ideas about these things.”
    Michael nodded, suddenly full of understanding. “I sure wouldn’t want to do anything to make her mad.”
    “It’ll take more than a little misunderstanding over wearing pajamas to make her mad, Mike.”
    Michael stared at the lettering on the T-shirt. When he spoke, his tone was solemn. “I know she’s already mad. Who could blame her? Having a kid you never even heard of walk in and having to let him live with you.” He shook his head. “It’s a wonder she didn’t toss me out right on my, uh, my tail.”
    Jake took a minute before replying. “It was a shock to her, Michael. I won’t deny that. But youdon’t have to worry about anything now. You’re my son, and wherever I am, you’ll be with me.”
    Michael just stared at him.
    “What is it, Mike?”
    “Do you mean that?”
    “Yes. Absolutely. You have my word on it.”
    Tears welled in Michael’s eyes, but he refused to let them fall. Words, Jake could see, were beyond him. Seeking to ease the moment, he asked, “While you were on the road, where did you sleep, Mike?”
    “Truck stops, mostly.”
    “I mean where specifically? Not in a motel room at a truck stop. I know you couldn’t afford that.”
    “No, sir. Mostly in the back of trucks or sometimes at rest stops on the interstate.”
    He spoke offhandedly, but Jake knew the situations a fourteen-year-old faced hitchhiking twelve hundred miles. His experience in dealing with runaways filled in the blanks all too well. Something twisted in the pit of his stomach. Why was it that his children, first Scotty and now Michael, seemed fated to experience such hardship? For a moment, he felt a depth of rage that rendered him speechless.
    “It’s okay, Dad. I made it.” Michael grinned suddenly and pulled the T-shirt over his head. “Not that I’d recommend traveling like that, youunderstand. A couple of times, I almost freaked. You gotta be tough.”
    “Oh, yeah?” Jake reached for him, succumbing to a need to touch him. He caught him around the neck, playfully locking Michael’s head in the crook of his arm. With his other hand, he ruffled the boy’s dark hair. “What’s the matter? Don’t you know not to leave home without your credit card?”
    “I wish!” Michael laughed, then his arms tightened around Jake’s middle, and just for a few seconds they held fast to each other. When Michael settled back against the headboard, his smile faded. “Will you thank Miss Rachel for the meal and for giving me this room?”
    “Yeah.” Smiling faintly, Jake added, “But remember what I told you. You don’t have to feel grateful. You’re my son. This is your home. And that’s the way it’s supposed to be.”
    “I’ll try not to bug her too much.”
    “I’ll tell her.”
    After a moment, Michael crossed his arms over his chest. “It seems almost too