Family Ties by Louise Behiel Page B

question was inevitable, he wasn’t surprised. “I’m unloading my truck.”
    “Why?”
    He turned to the little face pushing between the boards of the offset fence. “Because I need to get the boards out of my truck.”
    “Are you going to build something?”
    Hefting another load of cedar slats for the fence he nodded. “Yes.”
    “Andie needs help building things.”
    “She does?” Her house seemed to have recently been renovated. “What?”
    “The front room window.”
    “Oh oh. Did somebody break the window?”
    When he didn’t hear an answer he turned to the fence. Chloe stood there, sucking her thumb, an unusual stillness hovering around her. He walked over and squatted down to her level. “Was it an accident?”
    She shook her head. “No.”
    Momentarily confused, Gray realized she must have misunderstood his question. “Were you kids playing in the front yard?”
    Another shake set her curls bobbing. Plop, she pulled her thumb out of her mouth. “We was asleep.” And plugged it back in.
    Now he was confused. “Who was asleep?”
    Thumb out again. “All of us.”
    “You were sleeping when the window broke?”
    She nodded. “A brick did it.”
    “A brick?”
    Another nod. “A big one.”
    Rising and running all in one movement, Gray took off for the side gate. Hoping he’d misunderstood Chloe, he went searching for Andie. The gate bounced behind him as he rounded the house and stopped in his tracks.
    Her picture window was now a big gaping hole.
    He took the front stairs in one leap, then pounded on the door, pushing it aside as it opened.
    Andie stood inside, shoulders taut, cheeks bruised with exhaustion and strain.
    “Are you and the kids okay?” he asked, stepping in and pulling her into his arms. Although Jamie stood right behind her, Gray couldn’t reach the boy.
    She nodded, her chin grazing his chest as he folded her close.
    “Was anybody hurt?” he asked rubbing up and down her back.
    “We’re all fine,” she stammered as she started to shake.
    Holding her in the safety of his arms he barely contained his rage. Who would have done something so dangerous? Didn’t they realize she had kids in the house? Someone could have been up for a drink or a trip to the bathroom and been hit with flying glass. Vivid images made him hold her tighter, more afraid than he could ever remember. He felt Jamie settle himself between the two adults. Gray reached down and rubbed his hand over the boy’s hair.
    “What happened?”
    “We were all asleep. It sounded like an explosion or a gunshot. I jumped out of bed and came running out here.”
    He leaned away, checking her over. “Were you cut? Hit by flying glass? What about your feet?”
    Andie shook her head. “Nothing. We’re fine. The noise woke us. Scared all of us half to death. Including me.”
    He took a quick scan of the room. “Where’s Billy and Bonnie?”
    “Billy’s out back with a friend and Bonnie’s staying over at a friend’s.” She took a deep breath. “She’s been so quiet lately; I’m sure something’s bothering her, so I’m kind of glad she wasn’t here.”
    She leaned against him. “Other than being scared half to death, we’re all fine.”
    Gray looked down at the boy standing as close to them as possible. “Anybody would have been scared Jamie.” His heart gave a strange twist as he tried to reassure the silent child.
    “Jamie was very brave, Gray. The brick woke him too, but he stayed in bed and followed directions really well.”
    “Good boy.” Gray smiled down at the boy who had one arm wrapped around his leg. “Sometimes the best thing we can do is stay out of the way.” He wrapped his hand around the back of Jamie’s head, pulling him closer, wanting to let him know he’d done okay.
    “Chloe cried and cried.” The voice was soft and rusty from disuse, but the words were clear.
    Jamie had finally spoken.

Chapter Six
     
    Gray felt Andie stiffen in his arms, but held her against him.