Free Driftwood Lane by Denise Hunter

before . . . but you have to ask permission for things like this. I don’t even know Lexi, much less her family.”
    “ I know them.”
    “Have you spent the night before?”
    “No, but I’ve been to her house tons of times.”
    He heard a dishwasher rack rolling in, another rolling out, the dishes rattling.
    “Why don’t we have her family over for dinner one night this week? I could get to know them, and then we’ll see about overnight plans.”
    “This is ridiculous. They go to our church, and her mom and my mom were friends!” Noelle cast him a look. See? she said with her eyes.
    Did Meridith think Eva would jeopardize her daughter’s safety? The woman was neurotic. Jake clamped his teeth together before something slipped out.
    “Just because they go to church doesn’t necessarily make them safe, Noelle. It wouldn’t be responsible to let you spend the night with people I don’t know. You never know what goes on behind closed doors.”
    “My mom would let me.”
    The air seemed to vibrate with tension. Jake realized his knife was still, flattened against the wall, and he reached for more mud. Noelle was glaring at Meridith, who’d turned, wielding a spatula. Was she going to blow it?
    To her credit, the woman drew a deep breath, holding her temper. “Maybe Lexi could stay all night with you instead.”
    “Well, wouldn’t that pose a problem for her family, since they don’t know you ?”
    Despite his irritation with Meridith, Jake’s lips twitched. Score one for Noelle.
    “I suppose that would be up to her family.”
    He heard Noelle’s cards hit the table, her chair screech across the floor as she stood. “Never mind.” She cast Meridith one final glare, then exited through the back door, closing it with a hearty slam.

Eleven
    A week later Meridith ran her hand over the new door trim and surveyed the paint job. The sunny yellow matched the rest of the kitchen, and the finished wall was smooth as glass.
    Ben touched the wall too. He hadn’t left her side since he finished his homework.
    “It’s a beautiful day outside, Ben. Why don’t you go enjoy the fresh air?”
    He shrugged.
    “Max is outside. Maybe he’ll play Frisbee with you.”
    Silently Ben ambled toward the door and slipped through it.
    Meridith turned her attention to the new partition, stepping back. You couldn’t tell it was new. The trim had been painted white to match the old trim, and hard as she tried, she couldn’t find a paint run anywhere. Not bad.
    “Everything okay?” Jake appeared at her side.
    “Would you stop sneaking up on me?” she said, unwilling to admit that the insanely loud washing machine may have disguised his entrance.
    He nodded toward the partition.
    She forced her eyes from his. “It’s fine.” She wasn’t about to admit she’d been admiring his handiwork. He might raise his price. “How’s the gutter coming?”
    It was falling off the back of the house, its angle leaving a small pond off the back porch steps when it rained.
    “All done. Have to run to the store for a few things.” He placed his hands on his hips, just above his tool belt.
    She checked her watch. “You might as well call it quits for the day.” She was ready to have the house back, at least until her guests arrived.
    He nodded once. “Just let me gather my—”
    A sharp cry split the air, then was silenced by a thud. Meridith was out the door the next second.
    She crossed the porch and found Ben near the puddle on his side. He pulled his knees into his belly, bawling.
    “Ben!” Meridith pushed Piper aside and squatted beside the boy, carefully rolling him over. “What happened?”
    “He fell off the ladder!” Max dropped to his knees beside his brother.
    “You left the ladder up?” Meridith glared at Jake, but he was running his hand over Ben’s head.
    “Don’t feel any bumps.”
    “My arm!” Ben wailed.
    Jake reached toward it.
    “Don’t touch it!” Meridith said. “Can you move it, Ben?” She