Free From the Heart by Nora Roberts Page A

more today, and I certainly don’t think we can talk rationally about this right now. It’s late, in any case. I told Alison I’d let her beat me at tennis before dinner.” She was already heading for the door.
    â€œKasey.”
    It cost her a great deal to turn back around. “Yes?”
    His mind had gone from crowded to blank. He felt like a fool. “Thank you.”
    â€œYou’re welcome, Jordan.”
    She managed to get through the door before the pain started.
    Â 
    It was completely dark before Kasey found a moment to be alone. From the window in her room, she could watch the moon rise. It was full, with an orange tint that had her thinking of fields being harvested and haystacks. What was happening in the world out there? she wondered. I’ve been in this house too long, trapped by a love that’s going to lead me nowhere. What have I done to myself? It’s taken me a month to lose something I’ve valued more than anything else in all of my life: my freedom.
    Kasey wrapped her arms around herself and turned back into the room. Even when I walk away from here, from him, I won’t be free again. Love binds you—I knew that.
    And what’s he feeling now? What will we say to each other tomorrow? Can I continue to be casual, to hand out wisecracks as though nothing’s changed? She laughed a little and shook her head. I have to, she reminded herself. Always finish what you start—isn’t that Kasey’s first rule? I came todo a job, and the job has to be done. I gave him my love without strings, and I have to follow through. Oh, God, she thought and hugged herself tighter. How I hate to hurt. What a coward I am.
    Pressing a hand against her temple, she walked into the bath to search out her aspirin. It’ll help the headache, she decided, if nothing else. As she reached for a cup, she heard a sound from Alison’s room. Frowning, Kasey paused to listen.
    It was quiet and muffled, but the sound of weeping was unmistakable. Kasey set down the aspirin bottle and went next door. Alison was bundled under the blankets, sobbing into her pillow. Everything but the child fled from Kasey’s mind.
    â€œAlison.” She sat on the edge of the bed and touched the tangled blond hair. “What’s wrong?”
    â€œI had a nightmare.” She threw her arms around Kasey’s neck and clung. “It was horrible. There were spiders everywhere.” She burrowed deeper as Kasey’s arms came around her. “Crawling all over the bed.”
    â€œSpiders.” Kasey squeezed and stroked. “Terrible. Nobody should have to handle them alone. Why didn’t you call me?”
    Alison could hear the steady beat of Kasey’s heart under her ear and felt the comfort. “Grandmother says it’s rude to disturb someone when they’re sleeping.”
    Kasey controlled a swift, powerful wave of fury and kept her hands gentle. “Not if you have a nightmare. I used to yell like crazy when I had them.”
    â€œDid you really?” Alison lifted her face. “Have nightmares, I mean.”
    â€œThe worst. Pop used to say it was the price of a creative imagination. He made me almost proud of them.” She brushed the hair away from Alison’s cheeks. “One more thing,” she added. “You could never disturb me, Alison.”
    With a sigh, Alison laid her head back on Kasey’s breast. “They were big spiders. Black ones.”
    â€œThey’re gone now. You should try kangaroos. Thinking about kangaroos is much better than thinking about spiders.”
    â€œKangaroos?” She could hear the sleepy smile in the child’s voice.
    â€œAbsolutely. Snuggle down.” When Alison obeyed, Kasey slipped into bed beside her.
    â€œAre you going to stay with me?” Her voice was small and amazed.
    â€œFor a little while.” She drew the child against her and felt warm. “About those