Read Online Too Many Secrets by Patricia H. Rushford - Free Book Online

cried to the fading image. “Daddy, don’t leave me. I need you.”
    â€œI can’t stay. There’s no place for me here. You have Michael now.”
    â€œNo! Daddy, please, don’t go … please …” The bells rang harder and louder. Finally she awoke enough to recognize the sound and reached for the phone.
    â€œHello?” Jennie mumbled into the mouthpiece.
    â€œWere you sleeping? It’s only nine, I thought you’d still be up.”
    â€œRyan.” Jennie unfolded her cramped legs and groaned. “I must have fallen asleep.” She rubbed her eyes. The news about Mom filing for divorce and announcing her engagement spilled out of her. Then she told him about the dream. She was glad when he didn’t remind her of how childish she sounded.
    â€œHey, listen,” Ryan said in a soothing tone. “Your dad would never blame you for what your mom’s doing.”
    â€œI should have stopped her.” Jennie cleared her dad’s stuff off the bed and flopped back onto it.
    â€œIt’s not your fault. I don’t know if it will help, but I was really shook when Mom divorced my dad. I was only eight, but I figured the whole thing was my fault. Like if I’d been a better kid it wouldn’t have happened. Kids do that kind of thing. Blame themselves. At least that’s what Mom told me.”
    Jennie let out a sigh that came from somewhere around her toes. “Thanks. I know you’re right, but I still feel like I ruined everything. Besides, the dream was right, in a way. If Mom marries Michael and Dad comes back, he won’t be able to stay.”
    â€œNot with you, but you’ll be able to see him.”
    â€œI suppose.”
    â€œHey … listen, I called to tell you about the house.”
    â€œIs Gram home?”
    â€œNo, but I thought I’d better let you know what happened.”
    There was a long pause, and Jennie prodded, “So, are you going to tell me or what?”
    â€œYou’ve already been through a lot today …”
    â€œRyan, don’t do this to me. Talk.”
    â€œOkay, okay. Anyway, I went over to get her mail and put it on her kitchen counter like I usually do. When I walked in I heard something in the living room and then heard the front door close.”
    â€œDid you see who it was?”
    â€œIt was getting dark, but I saw this big guy running down the road. He drove off in a dark-colored car, maybe navy blue or black. I couldn’t see what make, and it was too far away to read the license. I went after him, but by the time I got to the road he was gone.”
    â€œDid you call the sheriff?”
    â€œYeah. They dusted the place for prints, but the guy must have been wearing gloves.”
    â€œDid he steal anything?”
    â€œNo. They figured I surprised him, and he took off before he could take anything. They’re going to beef up their patrol of the neighborhood.” He hesitated, then added, “I noticed something odd, though. Someone had switched off the answering machine.”
    â€œYou mean the burglar was listening to her messages?”
    â€œLooks that way. I checked around and nothing else seems to have been disturbed.”
    â€œWeird. It doesn’t make sense. He must have been after something else. That settles it. I’ve got to get down there. I need to search the house. I’ll be able to tell if anything’s missing. And if the guy comes back, I could …”
    â€œWhat? Get yourself killed? No way, Jennie. Not a good idea. Besides, your mom will never let you stay down here alone. And even if she did, what would you do about school? I know it’s hard to do, but we really ought to let Sheriff Taylor handle things.”
    â€œI suppose you’re right.” An idea had begun to form, but Jennie couldn’t tell Ryan about it, not yet anyway. She thanked him for calling, and he mumbled something about having