Free OUT OF THE DARKNESS (THE PRESCOTT SERIES) by B. J. McMinn Page A

scowl marring Jason’s face.
    “Ok, let’s try again. I’m Jason, this is Margaret.” He pronounce d each syllable with great care, his annoyance apparent.
    “She knows that. ” Margaret frowned. What in heaven’s name was he doing? The poor dear looked ready to bolt from the room in tears. When the girl looked at her, Margaret saw her visibly relax.
    Jason gave her a quailing look that said he was in charge of asking the questions. Margaret shrugged and let him continue. Men could be so insensitive and stubborn. Her little brother wasn’t any different. Each question he asked, the girl thwarted by her silence.
    Jason swung his piercing stare toward her. She poured a cup of coffee and took a seat at the table.
    “Has she talked to you?” A deep frown drew his brows together into a straight line.
    “No. ” Margaret shrugged.
    “Why not? ” She could see Jason’s frustration build. The tips of his ears had a slight pink tint. When he became angry, they would turn bright red.
    “I guess she didn’t have anything to say.” Margaret continued with evasive answers she knew would irritate Jason.
    “Margaret. ” His tone held a don’t-add-to-my-frustration warning.
    Margaret sipped her coffee and watched the interaction with amusement. No matter what question Jason asked or how he phrased it, the ‘girl’ remained unresponsive.
    When their guest finished eating, s he scooped up her empty plate to wash in the sink.
    “Did you at least find out her name?” He leaned back in his chair, crossed his arms over his chest, and glared at Margaret.
    “No.”
    “Well, we can’t keep calling her ‘girl’ that’s for sure. What do you call her?” he asked.
    “I call her ‘dear’ m ost times.”
    A n impish grin touch the ‘girl’s’ lips. Ah, a sense of humor, that’s good. Jason needed laughter in his life.
    “Margaret.” There was that frustrated tone again.
    Jason took a de ep breath and let it out slowly. The tension she’d seen building in his shoulders eased. Did he realize she was trying to lighten his mood?
    “Well I refuse to call her “dear most times,” Jason teased.
    Margaret laughed. The impish grin on the girl’s face grew into a wide smile.
    “Jason, she has been through a lot, let’s give her time, okay?” She patted his shoulder as she returned to her chair.
    “Okay. But I’m giving her a name. I refuse to call her ‘girl’ again. I thought the name Jade would suit her.”
    The girl’s head jerked up, and her gaze collided with Jason’s. Had the name Jade sounded familiar to her?
    Margaret gave him a quizzical look. “Why , Jade?”
    “Her eyes,” Jason said softly.
    Funny she hadn’t noticed the color of the ‘girl’s’ eyes. She wondered when Jason had. One thing for sure, they had captured her brothers attention.
    “Jade it is then,” Margaret said cheerfully. Rising from the table, she said, “Jason would you bring some wood in so I can start the noon meal, John will be here soon.” She was anxious to see her husband after this week’s separation.
     

CHAPTER 11
     
     
    John? Was he another relative who would ask questions she couldn’t answer? She hoped not. She couldn’t answer the questions she asked herself. One of which was; how she could be so attracted to Margaret’s husband? She studied his long gaited swagger as he went out the backdoor.
    The instant affinity she felt for him puzzled her. If she could be this attracted to a near stranger where did that leave her baby’s father, a man she surely cared for.
    The blush that stole over her face ea ch time she looked at him was obvious. Surely, it wouldn’t pass any ones attention if they were watching. His proximity left her vulnerable to the riot of emotions clamoring through her. Jade hated to think how hurt Margaret would be if she noticed.
    They were a handsome couple, both dark headed, the same blue eyes that they had passed on to each child. A disarming rapport existed between them. They