Gabe: The Alvarez Security Series Read Online Free Page B

up in bed, she pushed her sleep tousled curls out of her face and looked at the clock. Nope, it was six o’clock. Time to begin their well-ordered morning.
    Ross was dressed and out of the bathroom by the time she made it in there. Her morning routine was simple; quick shower, moisturizer and mascara, and she hopped in her slacks and blouse. Sliding on her basic two-inch pumps she remembered the sky-high heels of the lady from last night. That woman had to be almost six feet tall without the heels. And I bet those shoes cost more than my month’s salary! Those thoughts had her quickly thinking of the mystery man from last night. As tall as that woman had been, he had been taller. No wonder he looked like a giant. That thought was followed by the realization of what she must have looked like.
    Grimacing, she moved to the kitchen where Ross was eating his cereal with the TV on. The local anchorman was talking about the huge gala event last evening to celebrate the completion of a movie filmed in Richland. Recognizing the name of the hotel as the one she was at last night, she turned to see the screen just as glamorous Alicia Morgenstern was alighting from a limo, her arm on…the giant in the tux.
    She could not stop the desire to see him once again as she walked closer to the old, small TV. Yep, he was just as gorgeous as her memory recalled. Seeing Alicia turn and latch onto his arm had Jennifer clicking the TV off. So out of my league . A giggle erupted from her as she realized that the famous movie star had called her alley trash. Wow, I was insulted by someone famous, she thought wryly.
    Glancing at the clock, she was glad Ross had gotten up on time since she could not seem to get her act together this morning.
    “Got your homework, sweetie?”
    “Yeah. Oh and you need to sign this,” he said as he pushed a piece of paper across the counter toward her.
    Looking down at the school form, she saw a description of an upcoming field trip and a place for the parent/guardian to sign. Her fingers rested on the word as her mind slid back to just a year ago when her mom would have been excited to have signed the form.
    She looked up and caught Ross staring at her.
    “Are you okay, sis?” he asked with more concern than most eight-year-olds have to muster.
    Ruffling his hair, she smiled. “I’m good. Just took a little trip, that’s all.”
    Ross grinned in understanding. That was their mom’s saying for when her mind wandered. Jennifer signed the form and watched him put it in his backpack, making sure to zip it closed.
    Walking him to the corner, she waited until the school bus pulled up and saw him safely aboard before she turned and went back into the center. Walking into the kitchen area of one of the city’s elder centers she found Henry.
    “Good morning,” she called pouring two cups of coffee. Handing him one, she splashed a liberal amount of cream and sugar in hers before taking a swig. “Mmmmm,” she purred. “Now my day can begin.”
    Henry laughed as he stirred the huge pot of oatmeal that they would be serving. His wife, Cora, came from the back with some of the bread that Jennifer had brought in last night from the restaurant.
    “Hey darling,” the older woman greeted. “These rolls are gonna be such a treat with some honey and jam and the oatmeal this morning.”
    “She walked since her truck wasn’t working,” Henry tattled to his wife.
    “Girl, you know better than that,” she exclaimed, looking at Jennifer as though she were a recalcitrant child instead of a woman used to making her own decisions.
    “Oh it was fine and I could tell that Carlos sent Jim to make sure I was all right,” she added, although her mind wondered what it would have been like to have the giant escort her home. Shaking her head to stop the musings, she moved with practice to the serving area of the center, taking a stack of bowls with her.
    The elderly residents walked through, the women first and followed by the men.