Free Sleep No More by Susan Crandall Page A

saw the stricken look on Abby's face. "I'm Jason Coble. We saw each other yesterday at the funeral."
    Tom slid a quick sideways look at his daughter, then chuckled a little uneasily. " 'Course. I remember now."
    The look on Abby's face said she saw through the lie. "Dad, you have a key to my house, could you go unlock it? I'll be right there."
    He nodded to Jason and walked toward the cottage.
    Abby's stark gaze met Jason's. "What do I do?"
    This time he didn't stop himself. Jason reached out and took her hand in his. "He'll need to be evaluated. If you like, I'll make some calls."
    "Can't you do it?" she asked, squeezing his hand.
    "I can, at least the initial evaluation. I thought you might be more comfortable with a specialist. There's a doctor in--"
    "No." She said it quietly and firmly, with all of the control he'd seen her use to disguise her fears. "I'm more comfortable with
you
."
    Tell her no.
    "All right. Tomorrow afternoon. I don't have any patients booked. Two o'clock work for you?"
    She nodded, holding his gaze. "Thank you." Then she turned and walked away.
    Jason didn't date; he already had his emotional hands full. Abby Whitman had already crawled more deeply under his skin than he should allow--and astoundingly quickly. His invitation to have dinner again had come out of his mouth at a weak moment; borne of the most enjoyable evening he'd spent in a very long time. And he was afraid Abby would induce many of those moments. Treating her father would only lead to further temptation.
    He watched as she walked to the cottage, knowing in his heart he was making a mistake.

C HAPTER 6

    M aggie listened as Abby's recorded voice answered. Something was wrong. Abby was supposed to be here by now. She'd said she would come before Mrs. White, the housekeeper, got here. Mrs. White had already been here for fifteen minutes.
    Maggie had gotten up extra early to be ready. She and Abby were supposed to make a special garland today. It had to be made all by hand. This would be the first time Maggie got to help
make
the flowers, not just put them up.
    But Abby hadn't come.
    And she wasn't answering her phone. Maggie had left messages at both numbers. Abby always called right back, even when she was real busy.
    "Who are you calling?" Uncle Father was grouchy today. He looked sick.
    "Abby." She hung up the phone.
    "You shouldn't be bothering her all of the time." Now he sounded plain mad.
    Maggie opened her mouth, but nothing came out. She was Abby's helper. Abby
needed
her.
    Uncle Father came and put his arm around her. Maggie leaned away and looked in the opposite direction.
    "I'm sorry." It was his regular Uncle Father voice. "I didn't mean to snap. I'm not feeling very well today."
    "Are you dying?" Maggie wasn't going to ask. But it just came out. Now there was no way to swallow the words back up.
    Uncle Father looked like
she'd
yelled at
him
. "Why would you ask such a question?"
    Maggie wasn't going to admit she'd been listening when he talked on the phone. That was the worst of bad manners.
    She looked at the floor and shrugged. Nobody ever made her answer when she did that.
    "Maggie, dear. I'm just feeling a little off today. It's nothing to worry about."
    Maggie blew out a breath that puffed her cheeks. She'd been so worried. He must be okay. Uncle Father never lied.
    "What about Abby?" she asked. "Something. Is. Wrong." She pointed her finger into her other palm with each word so Uncle Father understood this was
serious
. "She always calls me right back."
    Maggie felt the grouchy come on him again. His arm tightened around her shoulder. He gave her a little shake as he said, "Enough about Abby." He took a deep breath that sounded like it might suck all of the air out of the room. "I'm sure she's busy. Now you need to go do your studies."
    "But--"
    "No buts. To your room."
    Maggie left the kitchen and stomped up the stairs. But she stopped when she heard Uncle Father's cell phone ring.
    She knelt down after the turn in