A Bridge to Dreams Read Online Free PDF Page A

not be the first time that they’d considered it their duty to protect her from boredom.
    â€œI’m off Tuesday,” Peter began.
    â€œNo, really,” Karyn said, patting his knee and trying not to show her alarm. “You should be spending your day off on your own social life, not worrying about mine. Besides, I already have plans for Tuesday.” She hadn’t talked to Brad since the previous Friday, but she knew in her heart that he would show up on Monday.
    â€œWhat plans?” asked Frank, his gaze narrowing.
    â€œWith a friend.”
    â€œWhat friend?” he persisted.
    â€œFrank, she obviously doesn’t want to tell us any more about it,” Timothy said.
    â€œWell, I don’t care what she wants,” her eldest brother blustered with something akin to parental indignation. “If she can’t introduce us to her friends, then I have to wonder why not. What’s wrong with them?”
    â€œNothing is wrong with any of my friends,” Karyn said, thoroughly exasperated. She was worn-out from the whole exchange. Although she had been prepared for her brothers’ objections, the prospect of using dynamite to break them of their habit became more and more appealing. “Will you all please go away. I want to get some sleep.”
    â€œIt’s only eight o’clock,” Jared pointed out.
    â€œI think that just means she’s tired of arguing with us,” Timothy said. “Come on, guys. Let’s go and leave her in peace.”
    She looked over at him gratefully. “Thanks, Timmy.”
    He winked. He was the youngest of the brothers and had had more than his share of protective custody, as well. He’d been so grateful to have her come along when he was six that he’d come to her rescue more than once through the years.
    Still grumbling, the pack finally vacated the premises.
    â€œIf you change your mind about the painting,” Frank said at the door.
    â€œI won’t change my mind.”
    â€œBut you might. By Wednesday you could be bored to tears.”
    Another image of Brad popped provocatively to mind. She would not be bored by Wednesday. In fact,if she had her way, by Wednesday her life would be just beginning to reach fairy-tale status.
    * * *
    When the pounding on the door began, Karyn moaned and pulled a pillow over her head. It did not shut out the sound. She lifted the pillow and peeked at the clock. It was exactly five minutes before six.
    In the morning.
    On the first day of her vacation.
    She was going to kill whomever was on the far side of that door, assuming that it wasn’t someone who planned to kill her first. Killers, she reassured herself as she dragged on her bedraggled terry-cloth robe, probably did not knock. Her brothers, to her everlasting regret, all had their own keys.
    As she stumbled the few feet from the sofa bed to the door, she called out, “Who’s there?”
    â€œIt’s Brad.”
    The announcement sent her adrenaline surging faster than three cups of straight caffeine. She’d counted on him showing up sometime today, but not before she’d even taken a shower.
    â€œBrad? What are you doing here? It’s the middle of the night.”
    â€œWrong attitude. It’s the first day of your vacation. You don’t want to waste a minute of it.”
    She sagged against the door. Had it been only ten days ago that she’d actually admired his energy? Why hadn’t she suspected that it was not nearly as attractive at 6:00 a.m. as it was twelve hours later in the day? Maybe because she’d never before had a man outside her door at 6:00 a.m.
    â€œAre you going to let me in?”
    She glanced down at her faded, baggy T-shirt, her shapeless, beltless robe, her unshaven legs and the chipped polish on her toenails. “Not on your life. Come back in an hour.”
    â€œIn an hour the sun will be up.”
    â€œThat’s the general