A Family Homecoming Read Online Free

she carried the remaining dishes to the sink. “So what did Luke tell you about us, about the kidnapping?”
    She didn’t lower her voice. Dr. Carey had thought it best to speak calmly about the event in front of Sara in hopes it would get her to open up about her ordeal. Other than being cold and frightened, the child hadn’t been physically harmed, thank God.
    â€œNot a lot. I want to hear about it from you. Every detail you remember. Also Sara.”
    â€œShe doesn’t speak. She hasn’t since the kidnapping. Not once.” It was another complication, one among many.
    His head snapped around. He glanced toward thefamily room where their child silently watched a video, then back at her. Danielle recognized the bleak pain that appeared in his eyes. It was a feeling she had learned to live with.
    â€œTell me about the men who took her,” he said.
    She was startled at his tone, harsh and businesslike. “Did the FBI assign you to the case?”
    Another flicker of emotion dashed through his eyes. “You might say that.”
    Which was no answer at all. “Then you’ll be staying until it’s resolved?”
    â€œDo you think I would leave you and Sara to face this alone?” he asked on a soft note.
    A chill went up her arms. She’d heard him use that tone when he’d discussed a case with Luke by phone once. In it, she heard determination and grit and an absolute refusal to be distracted from ferreting out the truth.
    â€œI don’t know,” she admitted.
    A scowl darkened his face.
    â€œHow would I?” she defended herself. “You haven’t been around in two years. You made us move away from the place we knew. You weren’t here when we needed you—” Her throat closed and she couldn’t continue. She held on and refused to give in to the despair. Who cared about a woman’s tears?
    â€œI know.” His shoulder moved restlessly under the blue shirt that matched his eyes. “It will be different now.”
    Danielle swallowed a retort. Once she had accepted every word he told her as gospel truth. Once she hadn’t minded his trips away from home. She had known he had important work to do that involvedsaving lives and righting wrongs. But those excuses no longer worked for her.
    â€œYou’ve changed,” he said as if reading her mind.
    â€œTwo years is a long time.” She headed for the family room. “It’s time for Sara’s bath. Tomorrow is a school day.”
    â€œIt’s a blizzard out there. You won’t be able to drive to school,” Kyle told her.
    â€œThe elementary school is only two blocks from here. We can walk. Besides, I have four-wheel drive on the car,” she added defensively, feeling criticized.
    â€œDid you get a new car?”
    â€œYes. From my savings.”
    With that parting shot, she left the room. In the bathroom, she started filling the tub while Sara went to their room and removed her clothing. The child brought back several bathtub toys and dumped them in the swirling water, then handed Danielle a book.
    Danielle sat on the lid of the toilet to read while Sara acted out the story with her rubber bear and dog and doll family. “There once was a little girl with lovely golden curls and big blue eyes, just like you and Jenny,” Danielle began the story. She paused when Kyle came to the door.
    He gestured to indicate she should continue.
    Sara shook her head. She pointed at the door and shook her head again.
    â€œShe doesn’t want you in here,” Danielle explained. “Men make her nervous nowadays.”
    â€œAnd I’m a stranger to her,” he murmured.
    She saw pain flicker through his eyes, an oddly desolate, lonely ache. She looked away. She didn’twant to feel anything for him, not sympathy or need or desire, not anything. It was much too late.
    He left without another word.
    An hour later, Danielle returned to the