Free Snowbound by Janice Kay Johnson Page A

Despite the way shed flinched when he snapped at her, she wasnt looking at him as if she saw a monster.
    Did you come to wake me?
    He dipped his head. I did knock.
    Fiona made a face. I should have warned you. I sleep like the dead.
    Not like the dead. He knew what dead people looked like.
    She saw his face, and her expression shifted subtly as she remembered what shed been reading. He could tell; her gaze slid from him to the book beside her. Im sorry, she said again.
    Quit that, he said harshly.
    Still sitting up in bed, the comforter across her lap, she stared at him with those startlingly clear eyes. Quit what?
    Apologizing. John swallowed, softened his voice. You didnt say or do anything to apologize for.
    I wasnt apologizing. She swung her legs over so that they dangled off the bed. I was expressing sympathy.
    Because I limp? Because Im scarred?
    Her eyes flashed. Because I could tell you were remembering something bad. Why would you assume the worst of me?
    How did he say, Because Im so damned mired in self-pity, I assume thats what people feel when they look at me? He couldnt. Didnt want to.
    My turn to apologize. He sounded stiff.
    She gave him a soft smile. Dont worry about it. Making a sound of pleasure, she yawned and stretched luxuriantly. The knit fabric of her turtleneck pulled taut over her small breasts. I may have to start napping every day.
    God. Her voice alone, lazy and satisfied, was enough to arouse him.
    I shouldnt have woken you.
    I made you promise. Her eyes widened. Unless youre waking me because one of the kids needs me?
    Nope. Just thought Id start dinner.
    She pressed a hand to her chest. Thank goodness. I scared myself for a second there.
    Theyre big kids.
    And my responsibility. Her forehead puckered. Maybe I should try calling my principal again.
    Did you remember to turn your phone off?
    Oh, crap! She scrambled off the bed. I dont know! And I dont have a charger
    The kids have phones. I have one.
    She swung to face him. You said you didnt.
    I said I didnt have a landline. I have a cell phone. It just doesnt work up here most of the time.
    Groping in the purse that sat on the chest of drawers, she came up with her phone. Thank goodness, I did turn it off. She dropped it back in the purse. Ill try later, once we get dinner on.
    He nodded, retreating. Ill see you downstairs.
    She yawned again and nodded. Just let me get my shoes on.
    It took her a bit longer than that to appear in the kitchen; but hed known she would check on her kids on the way down.
    He was setting out onions, garlic and green pepper on the counter when he heard the swinging door and glanced over his shoulder. Shed brushed her hair and pulled it into a ponytail that made her look as young as the teenagers.
    Find them all? he asked.
    Mmm-hmm, she murmured absently. Shall I chop?
    Sure. Ill get the hamburger frying.
    He dumped several pounds in his largest skillet.
    Four onions? she asked, sounding surprised.
    There are ten of us. Wouldnt hurt to have enough left for lunch tomorrow.
    No. Thats true. Okay. The knife whacked down on the cutting board.
    By the time she dumped the first diced onion in with the meat, her eyes were misty. With the second, tears clung to her lashes and her eyes were red. Im going to be wailing any minute, she warned.
    Want to switch jobs?
    No point in us both crying. Wed scare the kids if they come in.
    He gave a laugh that felt creaky. Its good for teenagers to get jolted out of their self-absorption occasionally.
    Whack. Whack. Whack. Are you speaking from experience?
    He saw more of himself in Dieter than in the others. He, too, had been a nerd despite the fact that hed playedhigh school sports and therefore achieved a degree of respectability.
    Maybe. Did you ever think about anyone else when you were fifteen?
    Her laugh was watery. Maybe more than most kids do. My family hadproblems.
    The tiny hitch in her voice gave him an insight. Thats why you loved school so much.
    I suppose so. It was my