Right Next Door Read Online Free Page B

and stress of the move had drained her emotionally and she was an unmitigated mess. Normally, she was a calm, controlled person, but this whole drama with Jeff was her undoing. That and the fact she’d hardly slept the night before in his makeshift tent.
    â€œMom,” Jeff said, studying her anxiously, “are you all right?”
    She covered her face with both hands. “I slept with a dog and you ran away and all you took was a frying pan and an atlas.” That made no sense whatsoever, but she couldn’t help it, and once the tears started they wouldn’t stop.
    â€œI’m sorry, Mom,” Jeff said softly. “I didn’t mean to make you cry.”
    â€œI know,” she whimpered. “I want you to have a dog, I really do, but we can’t keep one locked up in the house all day and we don’t have a fence and…and the way you just looked at me, I swear it was Lenny all over again.”
    â€œWho’s Lenny?” Cole cocked his head toward Jeff, speaking in a whisper.
    â€œLenny was my dad. He died when I was real little. I don’t even remember him.”
    Cole shared a knowing look with her son. “It might be a good idea if we got your mother back inside the house.”
    â€œYou think I’m getting hysterical, don’t you?” Robin burst out. “I want you both to know I’m in perfect control. A woman can cry every now and then if she wants. Venting your emotions is healthy—all the books say so.”
    â€œRight, Mom.” Jeff gently patted her shoulder, then crawled out of the fort. He waited for Robin, who emerged after him, and offered her a hand. Cole and Blackie followed.
    Jeff took Robin’s arm, holding her elbow as he led her to the back door of their house, as if he suspected she couldn’t find her way without his guidance.
    Once inside, Robin grabbed a tissue and loudly blew her nose. Her composure was shaky, but when she turned to Cole, she intended to be as reasonable as a judge. As polite as a preacher.
    â€œHave you got any aspirin?” Cole asked Jeff.
    Jeff nodded, and dashed up the stairs to the bathroom, returning in thirty seconds flat with the bottle. Cole filled a glass with water and delivered both to Robin. How he knew she had a fierce headache she could only guess.
    â€œWhy don’t you lie down for a few minutes? I’m sure you’ll feel better.”
    â€œI feel just fine, thank you,” she snapped, more angry with herself for overreacting than with him for taking charge.
    â€œDo you have family close by?” Again Cole directed the question to Jeff, which served to further infuriate Robin. Jeff was ten years old! She, on the other hand, was an adult. If this man had questions they should be directed to her, not her son.
    â€œNot anymore,” Jeff answered in an anxious whisper. “Grandma and Grandpa moved to Arizona last year, and my uncle lives in LA.”
    â€œI don’t need to lie down,” Robin said forcefully. “I’m perfectly fine.”
    â€œMom,” Jeff countered, his voice troubled, “you don’t look so good.”
    â€œYou were talking about frying pans and sleeping with dogs in the same breath,” Cole elaborated, his eyebrows raised.
    â€œI think Mr. Camden’s right,” Jeff said. “You need rest—lots of rest.”
    Her own son had turned traitor on her. Robin was shocked. Jeff took her hand and led her into the familyroom, which was off the kitchen. He patted the quilted pillow on the sofa, wordlessly suggesting she place her head there. When she resisted, he pulled the afghan from the chair and draped it around her, tucking the ends behind her shoulders.
    Robin couldn’t believe she was allowing herself to be led around like a…like a puppy. As if reading her thoughts, Blackie wandered over to her side and lowered his bulk onto the carpet beside the sofa.
    â€œThat’s a neat fort you’ve