Her Unlikely Family Read Online Free Page B

one who’d said horrid things that had upset Patricia that night. “I don’t think she’s fully dealt with Patricia’s death. Other than with excessive rebellion.”
    â€œI imagine it’s been tough trying to love a troublemaking teenager.”
    He clenched his teeth to keep from griping about how tough. “We’ve had our rough spots.”
    â€œWhy did she run away? Honestly.”
    He hesitated. Of course, Josie probably knew the whole story. Lisa tended to tell things like they were. “She doesn’t like boarding school. She wants to live with me, but I can’t take care of her. I’m at the bank twelve hours a day, and I travel.”
    â€œIt’s not like she’s a toddler. She could be home a couple of hours a day by herself. You could even send her to her grandparents or hire someone to help.”
    â€œShe’s landed in too much trouble to be left to her own devices. And my parents can’t take on that responsibility.” He stopped at a red light. “As far as hiring someone to function as a sort of nanny, well, I didn’t like any of the candidates I interviewed.”
    â€œMaybe you should make some adjustments to your schedule for the welfare of your niece.”
    As he turned up the street to the diner, he fought the temptation to defend himself. Ultimately, his schedule was none of her business. “I make decisions as I see fit, and I’d appreciate it if you’d keep your advice to yourself from now on.” He motioned to a lone parked car. “Is that your vehicle?”
    â€œYes, that’s my heap of junk. And I’ll try to keep my opinions to myself.”
    Try was the operative word.
    â€œHow am I going to be sure Lisa is secure for the night?” he asked.
    â€œGive me your cell-phone number, and I’ll call if she doesn’t show up at my house.”
    â€œAh, I see. So she is staying at your house.”
    A smile spread across her face. “Man, Mike, you’re good.”
    â€œWhat can I say?”
    She pulled a scrap of paper out of her pocket. “Do you have a pen? I need your number.”
    There was no way he would go to bed tonight without catching a glimpse of Lisa. “How about I follow you home? I won’t let Lisa see me.”
    â€œThat won’t be necessary, Mike.”
    â€œMichael.”
    â€œThat won’t be necessary, Mike.” She smiled so sweetly it made it difficult to stand firm.
    Difficult, but not impossible. “Oh, yes it will.”
    Â 
    Michael followed Josie to within a block of her house. After she went in the front door and flashed the porch light, their prearranged signal that Lisa was there, he pulled his car closer.
    A light came on in a side window. Maybe he could take a quick look, just to confirm Lisa was really there. And that they weren’t packing her bags.
    He parked, got out, then crept around the corner of the tiny, vinyl-siding home. Strangely, it appeared to be pink in the glow of the streetlights.
    Pink hair, pink uniform, pink house. Strange woman.
    After surveying the height of the window, he quickly grabbed an empty metal garbage can from the neighbor’s yard to stand on, then eased along the wall of Josie’s house. A cat darted out of the bushes, scaring the life out of him. He nearly dropped the trash can.
    But he carried on with his mission and set the can upside down, then climbed up, standing on the edges to keep the bottom from denting in. He rose up on his toes. As he reached the window, he realized it was raised about two inches. Voices carried out the opening.
    Jackpot!
    â€œI can’t believe you let him follow you here,” Lisa said in an angry whisper, as if he might somehow be near enough to hear.
    â€œHe didn’t exactly give me any choice.”
    Josie had her back to him, but he could see the top of Lisa’s head. Green head.
    Though relief at finally seeing her eased the knot in