Read Online Guardian Angel by Abbie Zanders - Free Book Online Page B
Authors: Abbie Zanders
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Michael’s great surprise, Kane actually smiled. It was a little smile, but a smile nonetheless. “Thanks, Maggie,” he said, his smile waning as he turned to glare at his brother. “Glad to see someone in this house has some balls.”
* * *
T he flood waters receded, leaving behind a mess of mud and muck in their wake, but with the community-wide cleanup effort, the situation was improving every day. Most people had been cleared to go back to their homes and begin the task of assessing and repairing the damage. Those who had been hit the hardest were consolidated and relocated from the high school to other locations to allow for the upcoming start of the new school year, which had already been delayed. The second and third floors of Nicki’s youth center were among them.
The National Guard had been redeployed elsewhere; people returned to their jobs and lives best they could, though donations still trickled in. A handful of volunteers kept the new shelter going, and, not surprisingly, Rebecca found herself among them. Her life settled into a comfortable routine. She spent the better part of her days at the shelter, and sometimes the nights, too.
But at least a few times each week she could be found with her brother. At first it had been all about catching up with each other, but lately, things were changing. Aidan seemed to be under the impression that because she was staying with him she was his responsibility, and she was starting to feel the familiar claustrophobia in his presence. She loved him dearly, she really did, but he was so much like their parents sometimes. They’d never quite understood her need for independence, either.
* * *
D inner was being served in the large communal kitchen when Kane arrived at the shelter. The autumn sun was just beginning to settle, muting the sky in soft hues. He didn’t bother checking the dining area; he knew by now that Rebecca would not be there. Instead, he dropped off Maggie’s care packages with the matronly woman who’d assumed control over the kitchen and strolled outside.
He narrowed his eyes at the group of youths who hung out there, reiterating his silent warning, reminding them of his presence. One of them, a young man who seemed to be the one the others looked up to, was brave enough to meet Kane’s gaze for a few seconds. That kid, Kane knew, was Trouble with a capital “T”. He might just have to have a talk with Nicki about that one.
Continuing on, Kane found Rebecca beneath a sprawling maple. Her legs were stretched out in front of her, her back against the tree, her eyes closed. It was one of the rare occasions where her hair was down, lifting slightly in the gentle, warm breeze. He caught the familiar light scent of Dove and smiled. It was ingrained in his mind and his body, solidly linked with the woman herself.
“Hey,” he said in his deep voice as he approached. Not the most suave of greetings, perhaps, but heartfelt nonetheless. The sight of her lifted away his feelings of unease like a light summer breeze.
She didn’t stir.
“Hey,” he said again, a little louder this time, and still she did not react.
He peered down, thinking she might be asleep, until she absently tucked a strand of hair behind her ear and he saw the earbuds. Crouching beside her, he tapped her lightly on the ankle and she opened her eyes, removing the pieces from her ears and giving him a hundred-watt smile that lit him up from the inside out.
“Kane!” she said, surprise and pleasure filling her voice. “Dropping off more care packages?”
He loved how she seemed so happy to see him. So few people were. Most found themselves fleeing, uncomfortable in his presence, which for the most part, was just fine with him. But not her. He didn’t want her running away, and he regretted the fact that she hadn’t attempted to wrap her arms around him in greeting once since that first reunion in the
* * *
T he flood waters receded, leaving behind a mess of mud and muck in their wake, but with the community-wide cleanup effort, the situation was improving every day. Most people had been cleared to go back to their homes and begin the task of assessing and repairing the damage. Those who had been hit the hardest were consolidated and relocated from the high school to other locations to allow for the upcoming start of the new school year, which had already been delayed. The second and third floors of Nicki’s youth center were among them.
The National Guard had been redeployed elsewhere; people returned to their jobs and lives best they could, though donations still trickled in. A handful of volunteers kept the new shelter going, and, not surprisingly, Rebecca found herself among them. Her life settled into a comfortable routine. She spent the better part of her days at the shelter, and sometimes the nights, too.
But at least a few times each week she could be found with her brother. At first it had been all about catching up with each other, but lately, things were changing. Aidan seemed to be under the impression that because she was staying with him she was his responsibility, and she was starting to feel the familiar claustrophobia in his presence. She loved him dearly, she really did, but he was so much like their parents sometimes. They’d never quite understood her need for independence, either.
* * *
D inner was being served in the large communal kitchen when Kane arrived at the shelter. The autumn sun was just beginning to settle, muting the sky in soft hues. He didn’t bother checking the dining area; he knew by now that Rebecca would not be there. Instead, he dropped off Maggie’s care packages with the matronly woman who’d assumed control over the kitchen and strolled outside.
He narrowed his eyes at the group of youths who hung out there, reiterating his silent warning, reminding them of his presence. One of them, a young man who seemed to be the one the others looked up to, was brave enough to meet Kane’s gaze for a few seconds. That kid, Kane knew, was Trouble with a capital “T”. He might just have to have a talk with Nicki about that one.
Continuing on, Kane found Rebecca beneath a sprawling maple. Her legs were stretched out in front of her, her back against the tree, her eyes closed. It was one of the rare occasions where her hair was down, lifting slightly in the gentle, warm breeze. He caught the familiar light scent of Dove and smiled. It was ingrained in his mind and his body, solidly linked with the woman herself.
“Hey,” he said in his deep voice as he approached. Not the most suave of greetings, perhaps, but heartfelt nonetheless. The sight of her lifted away his feelings of unease like a light summer breeze.
She didn’t stir.
“Hey,” he said again, a little louder this time, and still she did not react.
He peered down, thinking she might be asleep, until she absently tucked a strand of hair behind her ear and he saw the earbuds. Crouching beside her, he tapped her lightly on the ankle and she opened her eyes, removing the pieces from her ears and giving him a hundred-watt smile that lit him up from the inside out.
“Kane!” she said, surprise and pleasure filling her voice. “Dropping off more care packages?”
He loved how she seemed so happy to see him. So few people were. Most found themselves fleeing, uncomfortable in his presence, which for the most part, was just fine with him. But not her. He didn’t want her running away, and he regretted the fact that she hadn’t attempted to wrap her arms around him in greeting once since that first reunion in the
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