Free Finding the Way Back by Jill Bisker Page B

the basement,” I
replied, running upstairs for my toiletries. My mother could detect
anyone’s weakness like blood in the water. I had to be prepared for
the coming assault. Those two little women were like army generals
and I would have to be strong unless I wanted them moving in and
taking over.
    Trudging to the basement, I grabbed the bug
spray and shower curtain I had picked up the day before. I had no
intention of going unarmed. I turned every light on I could find,
and made a mental note that more lights were needed. You can’t see
spiders in the dark. I approached the shower stall and sprayed the
entire area around it—the floor and walls outside, the area above
the inside walls where the enemy could crouch, waiting to pounce on
me. I hoped there would be time for the repellent to work before I
got in. I waited as long as I dared, then turned on the water,
hoping it would wash down any creatures hiding in the half light. I
couldn’t believe how much I hated this creepy basement. Toward the
top of my renovation list was going to be an upstairs shower.
    I removed my faded flannel pajamas quickly
and jumped into the stream of hot water. If I could immerse myself
fast I wouldn’t give the arachnids a firm footing to grab onto me
should they be in a jumping mood. After I was wet, I realized I
didn’t bring any of my own shampoo, conditioner or soap. I looked
around and found half a bottle of shampoo, which was better than
nothing. But there was no way I was using the bar of soap that
looked like it had a full head of hair.
    I took the fastest shower I could, sudsing up
and rinsing my hair, then jumped out. Crap! I forgot my towel. I
looked around. My choices were either an old throw rug—Yuck! Just
the thought made my skin crawl—or climb back into my pajamas. The
‘jamas it was. I toweled dry with the bottoms and wrapped the top
around my hair. Double crap! I forgot my clothes also. What was I
thinking? I had been so worried about spiders in the shower that I
didn’t plan very well. Looking at my soggy pajama bottoms I
rewrapped my hair in my bottoms and threw the wet top on. Meaning
to get to my room as quickly as possible, I ran up the stairs and
walked into the kitchen.
    Triple crap! Emmett stood in the kitchen, his
back to me, talking to Connie. My heart jumped at the deep timbre
of his voice. What was he doing over here so early? Connie’s eyes
met mine as she saw me slide out of the room and back down the
stairs a few steps, pulling the door shut behind me.
    “Connie,” I appealed through the door. “I
didn’t know we had a visitor. Could you get me some clothes or my
robe or something?”
    Silence. “Connie?”
    “Connie just went upstairs. Can I help?” I
heard Emmett ask, his voice coming closer.
    Oh my God, I was going to kill her. She left
me deliberately. “Don’t open the door! I’m not dressed!” I
exclaimed, horrified. “I just need a robe or something. If you
can’t find Connie there might be a towel in the upstairs
bathroom.”
    “Okay, hold on.” I could hear him tromping up
the stairs. I tried not to look too closely at the dark, yucky
stairs around me. Hurry up, hurry up, hurry up, I was chanting to
myself.
    The door opened and a hand reached in with a
towel. “Thank you,” I said as I grabbed the towel and quickly
wrapped it around myself. I walked back into the kitchen with as
much dignity as I could manage. I could feel myself blushing at the
ridiculous figure I must seem. “I didn’t realize you were stopping
in this morning.”
    Emmett tried to keep his eyes averted, mostly
anyway, although I thought I detected a glance at my bare legs.
“Sorry, yeah, I was driving by and thought I would stop in when it
was daylight and see the layout. You know, plan for tonight.”
    “Right.” I jumped as I suddenly heard
pounding on the front door. “Now, who is that?” I asked no one in
particular.
    Walking to the front door, I peeked through
the glass. No, no, no! You have