After the Fall (Broken Angel #2) by L.G. Castillo Page B

Not that many people like to pretend they can actually see me.”
    Naomi looked at Megan as she waved in the direction Jeremy was standing, making Emma smile again. Okay, so Megan wasn’t that bad. Maybe she even was starting to like her a little. Megan seemed like a natural mom the way she was taking care of Emma. Someone who cared for children couldn’t be that bad.
    The thought made her feel a little bit better—more angelic.
    “I guess you could say—”
    Naomi was cut off as squawking birds fled from the nearby trees and took off into the sky. Then a strange feeling hit her, and the hairs on the back of her neck stood up.
    She glanced at Jeremy. He was on full alert. His thick arms tensed, ready for action, as if he sensed danger nearby.
    “Okay, I’m ready now. What da hell?” Verna lost her footing as the ground shook, and she fell.
    “Mommy!” Emma shrieked, jumping out of Megan’s lap. “What’s happening?”
    “No, Emma.” Megan gripped her arm and pulled her down. She looked up at the swaying utility poles that lined the road. “Stay here with me.”
    The ground continued to rumble. Emma clutched Megan’s neck and cried into her chest.
    “What’s happening?” Naomi asked Jeremy.
    “Earthquake.”
    “Earthquake! Texas doesn’t have earthquakes.”
    “Not normally, but over the past few years, they’ve been increasing in frequency.” Jeremy looked at her with a surprised look. “Don’t you watch the news?”
    “Not lately. I’ve been busy being chased by fallen angels and demons, you know, little things like that,” she snapped.
    She watched the electrical wires whip around as the poles swayed. Was this it? Was this the danger that she had to protect Megan from? She bit her lip as she looked worriedly at Emma. She didn’t want to see the little girl die.
    Please don’t let her be Jeremy’s assignment.
    The shaking finally stopped, and she let out a breath of relief. They were safe—for now.
    “Aunt Verna! Are you all right?” Megan leapt to her feet and ran to her.
    “Lord, have mercy. That sure was somethin’. She took a hold of Megan’s arm as she helped her to stand. “Dag nabbit! I broke the lens.”
    Megan sighed and went back to Emma as Verna fiddled with her broken lens. “It’s okay, Hon. Your momma’s not hurt, just her camera.”
    “I heard ’bout earthquakes happenin’ over in East Texas out in Timpson. Neva thought we’d get one here,” Verna said, tugging out a pack of cigarettes from the front of her jean pocket. Her hands shook as she took one out and lit it.
    “Uh, Emma.” Megan’s lips thinned as she eyed the smoke that wafted near her and Emma. “Go wait in the truck.”
    “Okay. Come on, Teddy. Don’t be scared. I’ll take care of you.” She squeezed the bear to her chest.
    “Oh, wait!” Megan unwrapped the candy bar and handed it to her. “Share it with Teddy. It’ll calm him down.”
    Emma beamed. She then glanced over at Jeremy and looked down at her candy. She curled her tiny finger motioning Megan to lean in.
    Megan raised an eyebrow and then bent down.
    “Do you think I should give some to the pretty man?” Emma whispered.
    “She has good taste.” Jeremy grinned, throwing Naomi a glance.
    Megan looked over in the direction that Emma was looking. “I don’t know. I think he wants you to keep it for you and Teddy.”
    Emma looked to Jeremy with wide eyes.
    “Megan’s right,” he said to Emma. “You and Teddy should keep it.”
    Emma gasped at the sound of his voice. She was about to say something when she gave a quick look at her mom and shut her mouth closed. She gave Jeremy a simple nod and turned back to Megan. “Okay!”
    Megan kissed her forehead, and Emma ran to the truck with Teddy in one hand and the chocolate bar in the other.
    Megan got a hold of Verna and led her away from the truck. “When did the other earthquake happen?”
    “I think it was a few months ago. Word is that maybe it has to do with all the