Scraps of Love Read Online Free Page B

her
tingling palm from his, and looked up. “I hope you like your eggs sunny-side
up.” Unable to keep from staring at him, Colleen tried to focus on spreading
strawberry jam on her toast.
         Adam sampled the eggs and
grinned. “Love them. Thanks.”
         They ate in silence for
several moments. Adam laid his fork down. “Great breakfast.” He watched Colleen
sip at her coffee.
         “I hope you don’t mind that Jenny
came here last night. I’m really not sure why she came to me. I would have
thought she would have gone to one of her friends homes.” She stared into her
cup.
         Adam picked up his own coffee.
“She thinks of you as a friend, Colleen.”
         Her eyes met his. “I know, but
most kids run to other kids.”
         She watched him set his cup
back down. He reached across the table and took her hand in his. Warmth
surrounded her fingers.
         “I’m glad she chose to come
here, but I’m really sorry we placed you in the middle of our family problems.”
         The roughness of his fingers
on the back of her hand sent goose bumps up her arms. Colleen pulled her hand
away. “I’m glad I could be here for her.”
         Adam lifted his coffee cup
again and held it with both hands.
         Jenny stumbled into the room,
rubbing sleep from her eyes and focusing on her brother. She said, “I’m sorry Adam,”
as she sank into a chair.
         Colleen didn’t know if she
felt happy or sad about the interruption. She stood up, “Would you like some
eggs and bacon, Jenny?” She gathered up her plate and coffee cup.
         “If you don’t mind,” Jenny
answered. She pulled her legs up into the chair.
         Adam’s gaze on Colleen made
her self-conscious. She turned and smiled at Jenny. “I’ve got some bacon ready
for you. How do you like your eggs cooked?”
         “Scrambled please.” Jenny laid
her head on her knees and faced Adam.
         “I shouldn’t have left home
like that last night, Adam. I’m really sorry, and as soon as I get done with
breakfast, I’ll call Sarah and tell her I’m not going to Durango today.” She
rubbed her cheek against the sleeve of her yellow terrycloth robe.
         Blue eyes shimmered with
tears. Truth shined in their depths. Adam wondered what had caused the change
in her attitude. “Why didn’t you just tell me you were meeting David and the
other boys and going up there together, instead of trying to sneak around and
do it?”
         Jenny glanced in Colleen’s
direction. Colleen gave a slight nod of encouragement.
         “I was afraid you wouldn’t let
me go.” Jenny turned to face him once more. “Honest, that’s the truth.”
         Adam stared at his sister, and
then glanced at Colleen. She smiled and nodded to show him she believed Jenny.
         Adam scowled. “You were right.
I wouldn’t have let you go.”
         Jenny sighed heavily.
         “I expect you to tell me the
truth, Jenny.”
         “I’m sorry”, she whispered.
         Adam reached over and patted
her leg. “Me, too.”
         They sat in silence for
several long minutes. Colleen felt a little left out. She wished she had a
brother who cared as much about her as Adam did about Jenny. She set a steaming
plate of food in front of Jenny. “More coffee, Adam?”
         “Please.” Adam held his cup
out to her.
         “How about you, Jenny? Coffee
or hot chocolate?” Colleen took Adam’s cup and smiled at her young friend.
         “Chocolate.” Jenny picked up
her fork and moved the eggs around.
         “Jenny?”
         She looked over at Adam.
         “I’ll make you a deal. Agree to
always tell me the truth and never run away again, and I’ll agree to drive you
and Sarah to Durango.” Adam accepted the coffee from Colleen. He took a sip,
his eyes on Jenny.
         Jenny searched his face.
“Aren’t you letting me off easy?”
         The guarded