Hidden Shadows (The Shadow Series Book 1) Read Online Free

okay?”
    “Okay. ‘Night. I love you.”
    “Love you, too. You’re Momma’s best girl.”
    “I’m your only girl,” Jacy said on a drowsy giggle.
    “That you are,” Jenna smiled, bent and touched a kiss to Jacy’s forehead, “and always will be.”
    Making her way back downstairs, Jenna paused on the landing by a beautiful black and white picture she’d taken of the kids. Her eyes warmed with tears as emotion swelled. Yep, those two little ones filled up a heart indeed.
    Celibacy, night one, she thought as she walked slowly to her bedroom and tumbled into bed. That, and she couldn’t wait to get her hands on Molly.

 
     
     
     
     
     
    TWO
     
     
     
     
    Bennett Aston pulled his black 4x4 into the freshly paved driveway at the newest construction on Meadow Drive. He noted the dark brick of the house complimented by the deep olive shutters and knew what’d he brought with him today would suit just fine.
    Ben had enjoyed working with the elderly couple who called him up some months ago after purchasing the home and making upgrades and changes to the model, including the standard landscaping plan. Though it had taken considerable patience to explain every aspect of gardening , as Mrs. Stonehaven insisted on calling it, rather than what Ben knew it was——a hot, hard day’s work of physical, mental, and for Ben, emotional, labor—he felt confident he’d roped lifelong customers and great references.
    After seeing the new home for the first time since its completion, he was happy to say he’d pegged his design, and his clients, just right.
    The sedum propped in the bed of the truck, or Autumn Joy as he’d PR’d it to the Mrs., was as close to perfection as any plant could get. It would look great all year, and more importantly, required minimal maintenance. That meant the Stonehavens wouldn't be slaving away trying to keep their curb appeal presentable, and Ben wouldn’t be making multiple trips to re-mulch, re-plant, and re-work the ground.
    He opened the truck door with a small shove and heaved his booted feet onto the rich black pavement.
    Gathering shovel, trowel, and hose from the back of the truck, he scanned the green and white logo spanning the length of the cab that boasted,

    Aston & Sons Landscaping
     
    and marveled how in less than a year, a company could dwindle from three Astons to one. With Ben being the one left standing.
    His father’s absence, Ben could understand, even respect and appreciate. Bruce Aston was a man Ben had looked up to as long as he could remember. Thinking of his father flooded him with pride. Bruce was big and burly with a bigger heart and character. He was the hardest worker Ben had ever known, compassionate yet full of grit, with a mischievous sense of humor. Though Ben liked to continually rib his father about being short—Ben considered anything under his six-three frame ‘short’, though at five-ten Bruce couldn't really be considered diminutive—aside from the height, Ben knew Bruce outshined him in every other aspect.
    Ben loved every inch of the old man and would work to the death if it meant his father could have a retirement of rest. In all the years on the job, Bruce had never complained and always completed any task with patience, precision and quality.
    Ben missed his mentor, but knew his dad needed the time, deserved the rest.
    Joseph’s absence was a different story—one Ben didn’t care to consider at the moment. His little brother provoked too many ill feelings and it was too nice a day to worry with a sore subject.
    If only Joseph would come home where he belonged, things would get better. Feelings could be talked through, problems worked out. But no, Joe insisted on time, on space. And that’s just what everyone was giving him . . . for way too long in Ben’s opinion.
    He tossed the equipment near the beds and went back for load number two and three.
    Even with the reasonably cool autumn morning, the southern sun was already beating