Free Looking for Miracles by Lynn Bulock Page B

feeding the funny-looking dogs while we were gone.” Lori giggled. “I guess they were funny looking, for dogs.”
    Mike had a nice smile. She could get used to seeing him this cheerful. “They bark funny, too. The real dog just goes nuts trying to figure them out. Now let’s get you fed before you starve.”
    Lori waved him off. “I’m okay, really.”
    “Sure. But how long do you think we’re going to have this house to ourselves this way? You know we’ll have a kid or two up soon, and Mom with them.”
    “True. Just about the time I pour milk on this stuff most likely. You get used to it after a while.” Of course Lori was still getting used to having two children depend on her, but she wasn’t about to let Mike know how vulnerable she felt. If he saw heras a competent, together person and mother, that was great.
    She got more than halfway through her cereal before Tyler bounded into the room. “Can we watch cartoons? Is it Saturday?”
    “And good morning to you. How did you sleep?”
    “Great. But ’Kayla squeaks.”
    “Uh-oh. Is she squeaking now?”
    He shook his head and Lori eased back into her chair. “Not now. But she sure did last night, didn’t she? Is she gonna do that all the time?”
    “For a while. But soon you’ll be back in your own room and you won’t hear her as much. Will that be better?”
    “A lot.” Tyler pushed his shock of blond hair out of his face and looked relieved. “Can I watch cartoons now?”
    “It’s not Saturday. Mike has box cereal every morning for breakfast.” Lori looked at her confused breakfast companion. “See, at our house sugared cereal in a box is a Saturday-morning treat. The rest of the time it’s toast or oatmeal or something more nutritious.” And cheaper, she could have added in honesty.
    She turned back to Tyler, who was wide-eyed and grinning. “Box cereal every morning? This is cool.”

    “Yeah, well, don’t get too used to it. When life goes back to normal, you’ll get this sugary stuff only on Saturday morning.”
    “Then I hope we stay here a while. I like cereal every morning!” Tyler got up on a chair, sharing a grin with Mike.
    “And I like having company. How long do you think we can talk your mom into doing this?” Looking between the two of them, Lori wasn’t sure who was having a better time. She grinned. Two and a half miracles already and breakfast wasn’t over. It was starting to be a pretty good day.

Chapter Eight
    “Y ou sure you’re up to this?” Mike cast a worried glance Lori’s way across the car seat.
    Lori thought he looked less comfortable driving his mother’s car than his own truck. It touched her that he was willing to go through some discomfort just to have Mikayla’s car seat fit better here than in the truck. Another example of his care and concern for them. “If I weren’t, I’d tell you. Rest assured of that.”
    “Okay. I guess I’m not used to new babies or new moms. I mean, I’m still surprised you’re up and around already.”
    “Believe me, women have been doing this for centuries. And most of us get right up and do stuff. And you said if I was good for a week we couldget moving.” Lori looked out the window. The winter scenery didn’t offer much to make conversation about. “I still think it’s a little silly telling the sheriff about all this.”
    “Well, I don’t. And Carrie doesn’t. So we’re going to tell him. We don’t have to go through all the details of filing an official report unless you find something missing later. But Hank ought to know.”
    “All right.” Agreeing was easier than arguing with him. “Then afterward we’ll stop and get the things I need from the store and go home.”
    “Where everybody will take a nap.”
    “Not me. I don’t take naps!” Tyler protested loudly from the back seat.
    “I know that. I should have said everybody who needs one will take a nap.”
    “Okay. While they’re taking a nap, can I help Miss Gloria with the