Free A Family Reunited by Jennifer Johnson Page A

goodbye to Ben before he heads back to the university.”
    “Yeah, and I don’t know what time Jack is bringing the girls back. I still can’t believe Emma went with him.”
    “I think she was really excited to see that new movie,” said Callie.
    Pamela rushed through the rest of the shopping. Within moments, they’d paid for their purchases, loaded the SUV and headed back to the farm. By the time they’d unpacked all the groceries, Dad, Kirk and Ben were heading toward the B and B.
    “Vegetable soup is on the stove and ready,” said her mom. “Wash up.”
    “Sounds good,” Mike said as he wiped his forehead with the back of his hand.
    “Busy today?” asked Callie as Kirk wrapped his arms around her and kissed her.
    Pamela’s cheeks warmed. She’d thought and dreamed more about hugs and kisses the past few weeks than she had in eight years, and seeing her brother’s and Callie’s expressions of love and happiness sent shivers of longing through her.
    Kirk released his wife, then tapped her nose. “Very.” He laid his hand on her stomach. “How are my boys doing?”
    “Boys!” Pamela crowed. “You just might have you a set of girls.”
    “Nah.” Kirk took Callie’s hand in his. “They’re boys.”
    “We’ll see,” Callie crooned as they walked hand in hand into the house.
    Pamela lifted her chin and gazed up at Ben. The boy had grown to be every bit of six foot three inches, if not taller. Dark hair and light eyes, he looked a lot like Kirk, only thinner. “How are you, little brother?”
    “Doing all right. Busy.”
    “How’s school?”
    He wrinkled his nose. “It’s going.”
    “I have a financial class that’s giving me fits.”
    Ben huffed. “Wish there was only one class driving me nuts.”
    Pamela had been worried about Ben. He seemed preoccupied each time he visited, and he often sported dark circles beneath his eyes. “But you’ve always been so good at school.”
    He made a fist and lightly punched her shoulder. “Still am. No worrying about me, big sister.”
    They turned at the sound of car tires crunching against the gravel driveway. Jack stopped the car, and the girls jumped out of the backseat. “Uncle Ben!”
    Ben scowled at Pamela. “What is he doing here?”
    Pamela raised her eyebrows. “You didn’t know he’d come back? I just figured Mom and Dad told you—”
    “You let him come back?”
    The girls reached Ben, and he bent down and gave them hugs and kisses on the foreheads. “Grandma’s got soup ready. Why don’t you go make me a bowl?”
    “Okay!” said Emmy.
    “No, I’m going to do it!” said Emma.
    “No, me!”
    Ben stalked toward Jack’s car, his hands knotted into fists. Pamela gripped his arm. “No, Ben.”
    He stopped and glared at her. “What are you thinking? Don’t you remember how upset you were? And the girls?”
    Pamela stomped her foot. “Of course I remember.”
    “Then have you lost your sense? I thought you were smarter than this.”
    Pamela curled her lip. “How dare you? You have no idea what I’ve been going through. I didn’t ask him to come back. I’m terrified he’ll ruin it all, start drinking and leave again, then I’ll be left with the mess to clean up.” Emotion choked her throat, and tears stung her eyes.
    Jack stood beside them. Pamela hadn’t heard him get out of the car. Her stomach churned, and heat warmed her cheeks. He raised his hands when Ben pivoted toward him and raised his fist.
    “I won’t fight you, Ben.”
    “That doesn’t surprise me.” Ben spat the words. “You were a coward then, and you’re still a coward.”
    Jack kept his hands raised. “I’ve given my life to God. I’ve changed and—”
    “God!” Ben huffed and a string of curses slipped from his lips.
    “Ben?” Pamela gawked at her brother. She’d never heard him talk that way, never seen him so angry.
    His eyes glazed with loathing and pain that went deeper than any feeling he could have for Jack. His jaw set into a