Broken Hearts Read Online Free Page B

card down on the table. “I suppose you’re right,” she said, sighing. “You’re so sensible, Steve.”
    â€œThat’s me,” he replied brightly. “Sensible Steve.”
    She leaned forward and gave him a quick kiss on the cheek.
    â€œNow let’s get out of here,” he said, smiling. “And no more talk about that stupid valentine.”
    Josie started to reply. But before she could get a word out, pale white hands reached out from behind her, wrapped themselves around her throat, and started to choke her.

Chapter 3

RESENTMENT
    J osie gasped and spun away, breaking loose from her attacker. “Rachel!” she cried. “Don’t do that!”
    Rachel laughed, her hands still outstretched as if prepared to strangle Josie. Her olive eyes sparkled gleefully.
    â€œRachel, that wasn’t funny. Stop laughing,” Josie said firmly.
    Obediently, Rachel cut off her laugh, as if a switch had been flipped. Still staring at Josie, she lowered her hands, then shoved them deep into the pockets of the loose-fitting brown corduroy jumper she wore over a pale yellow, long-sleeved T-shirt.
    â€œErica, where are you?” Josie called angrily. “I thought you were watching Rachel.” She rubbed her neck where Rachel had grabbed it.
    â€œHi, Rachel,” Steve said timidly.
    Rachel didn’t respond.
    Erica ran down the stairs, a troubled expression on her face. She was followed by Luke Hoskins. “Here you are,” Erica said softly to Rachel. “You got away from us, didn’t you?”
    â€œYou were supposed to be watching her,” Josie said crossly, narrowing her eyes suspiciously at Luke.
    Luke was tall and lanky. His shoulders were always stooped, as if he were trying to make himself shorter. He had short, light brown hair, neatly parted on the left and brushed to the side. His slender, nervous face was framed by silver-rimmed glasses. A tiny gold ball glistened in his right earlobe.
    He and Rachel had been going together for more than two years before her accident. Since that terrible day, Luke had been a constant visitor in the McClain house. He seemed as devoted to Rachel as before, even though she seldom responded to him in any normal way.
    â€œIt’s my fault,” he admitted to Josie. “Erica and I were talking about something, and we didn’t see Rachel leave the bedroom.”
    â€œWell, you know she can’t be out of your sight,” Josie scolded shrilly. She rubbed her neck. “She nearly strangled me.”
    Rachel laughed, tossing her head, her long, red hair catching the light from the ceiling.
    â€œShe was just playing with you, Josie,” Erica replied heatedly. “You could give her a little attention, you know.” Erica’s voice revealed her bitterness.
    Rachel picked up the stack of mail from the table and stared at it as if trying to figure out what it was.
    â€œPut that down,” Erica said gently, taking the envelopes from Rachel’s hands. “No mail for you today.” She tenderly placed a hand on Rachel’s shoulder.
    â€œNo mail for me?” Rachel repeated, her voice nearly a whisper. She turned to Josie. “Brush my hair,” she said.
    â€œNo, Rachel,” Erica replied before Josie could speak. “I just brushed your hair. Upstairs. Remember?”
    â€œSteve and I are going to the mall,” Josie interrupted impatiently. “I’ll be back in time for dinner.”
    â€œBut you promised—” Erica wailed angrily.
    â€œIf Mom gets home, tell her I’m going to look for that pattern she wanted,” Josie said, ignoring Erica’s protests.
    â€œHold on, Josie,” Erica insisted, still holding on to Rachel’s shoulder. “You promised you’d watch Rachel this afternoon. I told you I had to study for my social studies exam.”
    â€œSorry. Some other time,” Josie said coldly.
    â€œYou said that the