Free Whirlwind by Alison Hart Page A

The truck jerked to ahalt, and the trailer door crashed open. With a screech of metal, it tore off the top hinge.
    Okay, our new home isn’t exactly perfect
. Jas sighed as the door flapped like a lopsided mouth.
But it’s good enough
.

Ten

    “I KNOW—THE PLACE STINKS LIKE MOUSE poop,” Jas admitted to Chase. He stood in the living room of the mobile home, holding his nose. “But be a man and toughen up.”
    Jas was on her knees, tearing out chunks of rain-soaked carpet. For two days she’d scrubbed counters and walls, while Miss Hahn and Mr. Muggins had dragged out trash bags bulging with empty food cans and fast-food wrappers.
    “Mouse poop I can handle,” Chase said. “It’s the other smell. Like something’s dead.”
    “Gross.” Lucy’s voice came from behind Chase. Jas tensed. She hadn’t realized the older girl had arrived with Chase. “What is that smell?”
    Rrrrip
. Jas tore out another soggy section of carpet. What was Lucy doing with Chase?He said he’d been gone for two days visiting relatives with his family. Or had he really been off with Lucy?
    Oh, stop
, Jas scolded herself.
That is a stupid thought
. Sitting on her heels, she blew through clenched teeth, furious for feeling jealous. Chase wasn’t her boyfriend.
And why do I care that Lucy thinks this place smells gross?
    Walking over, Chase stared down at Jas.
    “How was your trip?” she asked. Leaning forward, she started on another stubborn strip.
    “Fun. Miniature golf and old home movies. You know, grandparent stuff.”
    No, I don’t know grandparent stuff
, Jas realized. Her grandparents had been a mom and a dad to her.
    “I bet you were a cutie-pie in those old movies, Chase,” Lucy cooed as she walked around the living room. Jas half expected her to whip out a clipboard and inspection sheet. Buckled paneling—check. Rain-stained ceiling—check.
    Chase squatted next to Jas. “How about if I get a chain saw? I love hacking up things. Maybe there’s a dead body buried beneath the flooring.”
    “Thanks, but I can handle the dirty work.” Jas wiped the sweat off her brow. It was hot outside and stifling inside. “Rand needs help building the new steps. He’s making a railing for Grandfather.”
    Chase stood up. “We saw him when we came in. I’ll give him a hand.” When Chase left, Jas glanced over her shoulder. Lucy was peeking cautiously into the kitchen. She wore a turquoise tank top, white short shorts, and jeweled flip-flops. Her legs were smooth and tan and didn’t have a single bruise, scrape, or scab. In her arms, she held a box with a picture of a microwave on the side.
    “Whatcha got, Luce?” Jas forced herself to be friendly.
    “A housewarming present from my mom.”
    “Thanks. We’ll need it. I’m not sure the oven works.”
    Setting the box on the kitchen counter, Lucy looked into the sink and grimaced. “Eww.”
    Jas tossed a strip of carpet into the trash can. “Quit frowning, Luce, or you’ll need Botox.”
    “Not likely,” Lucy retorted, but she immediately smoothed her forehead with two fingers.“How will you stand living here without air-conditioning?” she asked, fanning herself.
    “We’ll do fine.” Jas’s voice tightened. Then she reminded herself that the older girl wasn’t being mean. She was just being Lucy. “Make sure you thank your mom for the microwave.”
    “Yeah, well …” Without offering to help, she sauntered to the doorway and jumped to the ground outside. A second later, Jas heard her talking to Chase and Rand. She pictured the scene. Lucy would have one hand propped on her hip. The other would be flipping her bangs off her forehead while she chatted up the two guys. Rand’s eyes would be hound-dog eager. Chase would be drooling.
    Jas rubbed her lower back. Her jeans were covered with rotted carpet fibers. The skin on her arms and hands was gray with dust. She couldn’t blame Lucy for not wanting to help. And her own frustration had nothing to do with Lucy’s