Don't Say a Word (Strangers Series) Read Online Free

his blue eyes, fine sandy hair, and dimples on both cheeks, she thought he was the most beautiful sight ever.
    Allie smiled back at him. She’d fallen in love with Sammy during her first ultrasound. That was the day she realized her life wasn’t about her anymore. Her life was all about him now, and she knew it always would be. He was going to give her life meaning, and she was going to give him the best childhood she possibly could. She only wished Sammy had a more involved father. Since he’d been born, Johnny had only visited a couple of days a month.
    “Who here?” Sammy asked.
    “Who is here,” Allie corrected. Sammy was a little behind his peers in verbal skills and was working with a speech therapist twice a month. She answered his question: “Two little girls. They got here late last night.”
    Sammy straddled her stomach and plopped his little bottom down. “What their names?”
    “Carrie and Zoe. Why? Did you hear them this morning?”
    “Yes, they was in the hallway.”
    “Want to go and meet them . . . and say good morning to Grammy?”
    Sammy’s face lit up. “Yes!”

    The girls sat at the dining room table, still in the nightgowns Allie had picked out the night before.
    Both had swollen eyes and looked miserable. When Allie and Sammy walked into the room, Zoe looked up, her eyes reproachful. But when she caught sight of Sammy, they softened a little. Allie remembered what the caseworker had said about their little brother, and the gruesome way he’d been killed. She wondered if maybe Sammy reminded Zoe of him.
    “You guys get some rest?” Allie asked.
    “Yes, ma’am,” Zoe said, quietly, her swollen eyes still glued to Sammy.
    Clutching Allie’s thigh, Sammy quietly stared back at her.
    “Sammy, this is Zoe and Carrie. They’re going to be staying here awhile.”
    Zoe’s eyes narrowed. “That’s not true. Our dad is going to pick us up as soon as he gets back from his run,” she said, angrily. “Didn’t you hear me say that last night? Because I’m pretty sure I said it twice.”
    Allie’s eyes stung. No, I’m afraid he’s not. You’re never going to see him again. At least not alive.
    “Why, good morning, sleepyheads,” Bitty said, walking into the room and seeing Allie and Sammy. She set plates of food in front of the girls.
    “Grammy!” Sammy shouted, and released Allie’s leg. He wrapped his arms around the old woman as she arranged the plates. Bitty picked Sammy up and he kissed her on the cheek.
    Allie noticed dark circles beneath the woman’s eyes from staying up so late the night before. And the night before that. As Allie’d guessed, the lack of sleep was beginning to wear her out.
    “Are you hungry?” Bitty asked.
    “Yes!”
    Bitty set Sammy down and smiled warmly at Zoe. “Can I get you anything else, dear?”
    Zoe shook her head.
    “Okay, just let me know.”
    Bitty went to Carrie’s side and knelt down. “Go ahead and eat, honey. You need your strength.”
    The blonde girl dodged Bitty’s eyes, but dutifully picked up her fork and moved a little of her eggs around.
    “There you go,” Bitty said, patting her on the shoulder.
    Bitty gestured to Allie. “Go ahead and sit down. I’ll bring out your plates.”
    “Need any help?” Allie asked.
    “Everything’s pretty much done. But maybe you can sit with the girls for a few minutes so I can get dressed? I’m taking them to the Child Advocacy Center in an hour.”
    “I’ll drive you,” Allie offered. She’d bring her Kindle and the iPad for Sammy to play games on, and they’d wait for Bitty and the girls in the truck, then drive them home.
    “Oh. Well, thank you. That would be great,” Bitty said. Allie could tell the woman was relieved she’d offered. Bitty just didn’t like to show it. Although she was always helping others, she wasn’t comfortable accepting help herself. Allie suspected part of the reason was she didn’t want to acknowledge that she was getting older—and that the