Page 27 of Still Afraid

Gabe, laughing, stepped back to give Chloe better access to Jesse. “And this is how the hole got in the wall.”

Everyone, except Chloe, was laughing now. But Josh could see the amusement in her face as she chased Jesse around the island.

When she passed Josh, he snagged her by the hips and stopped her by wrapping his arms around her middle.

“Let me at him.” Her faux-rage mask was falling, and giggles broke through.

Josh couldn’t resist. “Please, show me this hole.”

She stopped fighting and glared at him.

“Follow me,” Gabe said.

They entered Chloe’s bedroom, and Jesse and Gabe each took one end of the dresser and moved it to the side.

Jesse said, “Hey, Chloe, has your butt gotten bigger, or is the hole still a perfect fit?”

She grabbed a slipper from the floor and chucked it at her brother’s head.

Aliza put her hands out between the two. “Children, knock it off.”

Chloe crossed her arms.

Josh had to cover his mouth with his hand. He absolutely loved watching Chloe and her family. Their dynamics were precious and reminded him of his own family. He couldn’t wait to see his little sister in a week and a half when they came for the wedding.

Chloe dropped her arms. “Can we just get to moving stuff and repairing the wall now?”

Josh stepped closer and whispered in her ear. “Do you still have that sketchbook?”

Chapter Eight

Chloe spun to Josh. “Are you kidding me?”

“Why would I kid? I’m simply curious what led to that.” He pointed to the hole in the wall.

“Maybe.” She spun away from him and disappeared into the closet. She didn’t know what she would do in there, but she needed to compose herself. She was about to break down laughing hysterically, and she couldn’t let her brothers know. It was more fun to make them think she was actually mad.

She’d been legitimately angry with Jesse when he’d called her artwork terrible years ago, but she didn’t care one iota anymore.

Aaron had helped that day too. It had been before he’d met those kids who got him headed down the wrong path. Sorrow dashed her amusement, and she grabbed a long-sleeved shirt off its hanger and folded it before putting it in the box she’d already started packing.

Gabe stuck his head in the closet. “Did we push too far?”

She chuckled. “No, I’m totally fine. Just wish Aaron was here too.”

“I know.” Gabe propped himself up against the door frame. “I miss having him around more as well. He talks to Jesse more than me.”

“Wouldn’t want his cop brother knowing about his indiscretions, I’m sure.” She took another shirt off its hanger.

“No doubt.”

“Do you think he’ll actually make it to the wedding?” She held the half-folded shirt to her chest.

“I wish I could tell you he wouldn’t miss it. And I’m sure he truly wants to be there. Even if his life doesn’t reflect that.”

“I’m worried that with it being at the farm now he’ll make more excuses not to come.”

“I wish he’d take that fear of disappointing Mom and Dad and let it be the motivation he needs to get clean.”