Angels in Pink: Holly's Story (Lurlene McDaniel (Mass Market)) Read Online Free Page A

floor. She was learning to sew and with her mother’s help had created a few fashionable (and acceptable) outfits for back to school. And Shy Boy was e-mailing her once again.
    His first note read:
    Hello, pretty Holly. Sorry about my long silence, just know that it was good for me in one way, bad in another because I couldn’t see you.
    While his message was typically cryptic, he’d inadvertently given her a big clue: wherever he was, he was “seeing” her. She answered with a chatty message about her summer so far, and didn’t bother to suggest meeting. Why humiliate herself? If he wanted to meet her, he’d ask. In the meantime, she let her imagination run, conjuring up exciting scenarios. He was a prince, closely guarded by security forces. He was a great athlete busy training for a marathon, or maybe the Olympics.
    Yet for all the secrecy between them, she also liked him. He had substance and depth, features she had begun to appreciate over time. When they got into weighty matters, he often had something to say that she found thought-provoking. When she’d pointedly written, “Do you believe in God?” he had answered, “Of course I do. People need something to believe in besides fate. Or happenstance. Plus I’d hate to think that the here and now is all we have. Too much pain and suffering to make me want to believe that!”
    “Earth to Holly.”
    Hunter’s voice from behind made her jump.
    She spun away from her computer screen. “Don’t sneak up on me. You’re supposed to knock before coming into my room.”
    “I did knock, but you were off in outer space. What are you doing, anyway?” He peered over her shoulder.
    “Nothing.” She quickly hit the Escape key. Better to lose her latest reply to Shy Boy than have Hunter see it.
    His eyes narrowed. “You can’t fool me, sis. You’re somewhere you’re not supposed to be, huh?”
    “With parental controls in place? You must be joking.”
    “Your eyes go all shifty when you lie. Don’t you know that’s how Dad always catches you?”
    She reddened. “Take a hike.”
    He laughed. “First we need to talk. Raina asked me to talk to my boss about donating free candy and balloons for that ice cream social. She said I should check it out with you, if it’s something you want me to do.”
    “Anything you can get for free would be great. Do you think he’ll do it?”
    “Probably. He’s a pretty nice guy. How much of each would you need?”
    “I’ll check with Sierra.” Holly paused thoughtfully. “Actually, I’m thinking about expanding the event for next year.”
    “Expanding? Like how?”
    “Like having a full-blown carnival on the grounds, and asking local businesses to donate prizes. I’d love to have a carousel, a few tame rides, some clowns, a petting zoo—stuff like that for the kids. We can get the community involved, raise some money for the hospital, and the sick kids will have a good time. The ice cream social is okay, but kind of rinky-dink. With a carnival, everybody wins. What do you think?”
    “I think it sounds like a lot of work.”
    “The Pink Angels program can sponsor it and do a lot of the work.”
    “You and Raina are the most enthusiastic two people I know. Others may not be so committed.”
    “Then they’ll just have to get committed, won’t they?”
    He cleared his throat, looking embarrassed. “Raina also wants me to dress up like a clown and pass out any stuff my boss might donate.”
    Holly grinned. “That’s a great idea! If it works, we’ll have you do it again next year.”
    “I’m going to feel stupid.”
    “It’s for charity. And for the kids. They love that kind of stuff. Please do it.”
    Hunter shrugged. “I don’t even know how to do clown makeup.”
    “Leave it to me. I’ll make you look very clownish.”
    “That’s what I’m afraid of.”
    “I’m so glad you’re in love with Raina,” Holly said with a laugh. “She knows just how to pull your strings.”
    Sierra was intrigued