Read Online Waking Hearts by Elizabeth Hunter - Free Book Online Page A

easier to give your mind time to prepare? Was it better just to know? She didn’t have the answers, so how could she give them to her kids? She’d lost her own mother when she was ten, and the pain was so dull now it was hard to remember what her own father had done right or wrong. She’d just remembered feeling lonely. Desperately lonely, despite her father’s and sisters’ love.
    “Allie?” Ted asked, putting an arm around her shoulders.
    “I’m okay. I just want to know .”
    “Larry did say that the preliminary exam at the scene showed evidence of violence. He’s fairly sure the sheriff is going to open a case, so they’ll probably want to come talk to you.”
    She nodded. Caleb had already warned her about that.
    “Is there anything else Jena and I can do?” Ted asked. “Do you need us to take the kids? Need any help around the house?”
    Scott Smith, Allie’s dad, walked through the door to the yard. “You want to help out at the counter?”
    “Dad!”
    Ted smiled at Scott. “I’ve got a couple of hours. That enough?”
    “Yup. Kevin will be here after school for his shift.”
    “Hey,” Allie said. “You can’t kick me out of work. Stop ganging up on me.”
    Scott said, “Yes, we can. You look like you’re about to fall over. I know you haven’t been sleeping. Go home. Take a nap.”
    “But—”
    “Go,” Ted said, grabbing Allie’s purse from behind the counter and shoving her out the door. “Head home. You do look exhausted. The kids won’t be home for another two hours. Get some sleep.”
    “Ted—”
    “Doctor’s orders!”
    Allie stood at the glass door they’d locked behind her until the headache began to build at the base of her skull. Then she turned and took her keys out to head to her car.
    Kick her off her own job…
    Well, it wasn’t like she couldn’t use another couple of hours at home. Even with Kevin and Mark pitching in on laundry duty, four kids and one adult still created a pile. She could start dinner in the Crock-Pot. Maybe tackle sorting through Christopher’s toy box if she had time…

    OR she could doze off in the backyard. She blinked her eyes open when she felt someone shifting her off the folding chair she’d set in the shade to rest “just for a minute” she’d told herself.
    “What—?”
    “Go back to sleep,” a low voice said in her ear. “Just going to move you into the house. The sun was getting on your legs.”
    It was Ollie. She turned her face into his shoulder and breathed deep, comforted by the smell of him. It was mostly soap, maybe deodorant and a bit of sweat. No cologne. Just Ollie. She’d recognize his scent anywhere.
    “Smells good,” she murmured, not quite awake.
    They’d stepped into the kitchen. “It does smell good. What are you making for dinner?”
    “Barbecue chicken sandwiches.” She turned into his neck and threw a sleepy arm over his shoulder. “Come over if you want.”
    “Wish I could. Have to work tonight.”
    It almost felt like he brushed a kiss on the top of her head. Or maybe she was imagining it. She snuggled closer, too tired to be embarrassed about nuzzling him like he was a teddy bear.
    “Hmm.” She laughed a little.
    “What’s so funny?” The smile in his voice was audible as he walked down the hall.
    “Teddy bear.” She heard the chuckle in the ear pressed against his chest.
    “Don’t I get enough shit from the guys?”
    Allie said, “It’s nice. I miss… arms. You’ve got nice arms.”
    Her feet bumped into the doorway.
    “Shit. Sorry. I’ll just put you… You redid your bedroom.”
    “Mm-hmm.” She refused to open her eyes. Yes, she was more awake, but she was going to milk the sleepy comfort of Ollie holding her as long as possible. Was that taking advantage? She didn’t care. She couldn’t remember the last time she’d been held like this. Surrounded by warmth and the particularly comforting scent of a man. And not just any man. Ollie. Strong arms. Deep chest. She’d pay