Free When Sparks Fly by Kristine Raymond, Andrea Michelle, Grace Augustine, Maryann Jordan, B. Maddox, J. M. Nash, Anne L. Parks Page B

Does your grandfather still live there?”
    “No, he’s gone, too. As are my parents. It’s just Kimber and me,” she said, looking affectionately at her daughter.
    “Well, you can consider us your surrogate parents,” Bill declared. “Anything you need, any time, you call on us.”
    Touched by his offer, she reached over and patted his hand, tears shimmering in her eyes. About to comment, she was preempted by a woman’s voice.
    “Replace me already, Dad?”

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Chapter Six

    “Kathy!” Fran rose from the table and threw her arms around her daughter, hugging her tightly. No sooner did she release her than Bill caught her in his arms, giving her a squeeze. She looked at her brother. “What, you’re too macho to hug your sister?”
    “Just waiting for an opening,” he teased, lifting her up in a bear hug and spinning her around.
    “Put me down, you big galoot!” she protested, laughing at the same time. Once back on solid ground, she gave him the once-over. “You’re looking good, bro. Life must be treating you well.” Stooping to give Leroy a belly rub, she kept her eye on her brother, wondering if the woman still seated at the table was the reason behind his relaxed demeanor. “I’m Kathy Sullivan. And you are?”
    “Monica Russo,” she said, rising from her chair. Coming around the table, she studied Joe’s sister, looking for similarities between them and finding none. Where his hair was light brown and curly, hers was jet black and straight as a pin. His warm brown eyes were a sharp contrast to her ice-blue ones.
    “Nice to meet you. So tell me, what do you want from my family?” Though she asked with a smile, Kathy’s protectiveness could be felt by everyone in the room.
    “You’ll have to forgive my sister,” Joe explained, draping an arm over his sibling’s shoulder. “She’s yet to learn what manners are.”
    Kathy stuck her tongue out at him. “Is it wrong to be wary of a complete stranger? You read about it every day; how someone worms their way into an unsuspecting family’s life and the next thing you know, they’ve been robbed or worse yet, murdered.” She leveled a stare at her intended target.
    “Kathleen! I will not listen to you speak about Monica that way! Why, she has been nothing but helpful since she arrived,” Fran scolded. “Apologize to our guest right this minute!”
    Grinning at his sister, Joe dropped his arm and took a few steps back, getting out of the line of fire. Both of them knew better than to challenge their mother.
    “No offense intended. You can’t be too careful these days, you know? And Mom and Dad tend to be very hospitable.”
    Monica smiled. “None taken. I hope you believe me when I say that I’d never do anything to hurt your family. If it hadn’t been for them, there’s no telling where my daughter and I might’ve ended up.”
    Kathy looked over at Kimber, noticing her for the first time. “She’s beautiful. Reminds me of my two munchkins.”
    “Speaking of the munchkins,” Joe observed, feeling that it was safe to speak, “Where are they?”
    “Yes, Kathy,” Fran inquired, setting a place at the table for her daughter. “I thought you weren’t coming in until tomorrow.”
    Exchanging a look with her brother, she answered, “They’re home with Rick. Since tomorrow is their last day of camp, he’s going to bring them up when he gets off of work. I thought I’d drop in early and, uh, help you get ready for the weekend barbeque.”
    “You’re a bad liar, Kathleen Suzanne. Your brother called you, didn’t he?” Fran leveled a stern look at her son, who looked away guiltily. “He needn’t have done that.”
    “Joe had every right to call me. Just because I no longer live in the same town, doesn’t mean that I don’t worry about you and Dad.” Plopping down into a chair, she picked up a biscuit her mother had placed before her and took a bite. “Om’god, these are great!” she exclaimed, crumbs spraying over her