A Texas Holiday Miracle Read Online Free PDF Page B

her. But the words wouldn’t come. In that moment he realized just how insane his thoughts were, and the lock on his throat lessened. He breathed in deeply, his lungs expanding from the much needed relief.
    “Pepper is sick, Mr. Gabe,” the kid said.
    He knew that. He wanted to tell her it was none of her business and that she should go home. But once again the words wouldn’t come. Maybe because Pepper had lifted her head and licked the child’s hand. Pepper liked the kid. He’d never noticed that before. He hadn’t noticed many things beyond the pain in his chest.
    “She’s shaking. I think she’s cold.” The kid noticed the blanket by the basket and gently tucked it around Pepper.
    It was getting colder. He should take Pepper inside, but whenever he did, she whined to go out. He was just giving her a little more time.
    The kid stood up. “I gotta go. Lacey’s probably looking for me. She doesn’t like it when I come over here. But you don’t mind, do you?”
    Yes, I mind. Please, just leave me alone.
    “Lacey and me have the same father. We’re sisters. Her mama lives in Austin and I’ve never met her. Do you have a sister?”
    Yes. He should call Kate and let her know he was...what? Still living with the pain. She wouldn’t want to hear that, so it was best to wait a little longer.
    “I gotta go. Don’t forget to take Pepper to the doctor. He’ll make her all better. ’Bye.”
    Not this time.
    The child ran to the gate. Gabe got up and squatted next to Pepper.
    “You like the kid, don’t you?”
    Pepper nuzzled his hand in approval.
    But she’s not Zack. She’s not Zack.
    * * *
    L ACEY HURRIED INTO the house and was standing just inside the back door as Emma came through it.
    “Oh,” Emma said, startled.
    Lacey folded her arms across her chest. “You’ve been over at Gabe’s.”
    She would have to discipline Emma, even though it would hurt Lacey more than it did her sister. She’d let her disobey too many times, though. Gabe hadn’t seemed to mind Emma being there, but Emma had done all of the talking. Gabe hadn’t responded once. And Emma needed to know that she had to mind and respect other people’s wishes.
    “Uh...” Emma twisted her hands. “You were on the phone and I heard Pepper.”
    “You can’t hear the dog from inside the house.”
    “Yes, I...”
    “No.” Lacey pointed a finger at Emma. “You’ve disobeyed me twice today, and now I have to punish you.”
    “No, Lacey, no. Don’t punish me.” Emma barreled into Lacey, wrapping her arms around Lacey’s waist, and burying her face in Lacey’s stomach. “I’m sorry. I won’t do it again.”
    Lacey swallowed, trying to be strong. “You say that all the time and you still disobey me. Go to your room and sit in the time-out chair.”
    “No. I don’t want to.”
    Lacey pointed toward the hall. “Go.”
    “No. I’ll be good!” Emma wailed.
    Lacey took Emma’s hand and led her down the hall to her bedroom. Emma sobbed loudly the whole time and Lacey’s strength waned. She pulled out Emma’s desk chair and placed it in a corner.
    “Take off your coat and sit and think about what you did.”
    “No, Lacey,” Emma cried as she removed her coat and sat in the chair.
    “I’ll come back in about thirty minutes and we’ll talk.” It took all of Lacey’s strength to walk out the door. Emma’s wails followed her.
    “Lacey!” Emma screamed.
    She sat at the kitchen table and buried her face in her hands. How did parents do this? It was pure torture, but she had to start setting boundaries for Emma. She just never dreamed how hard it would be.
    “Lacey,” Emma kept calling.
    The sobs and calling suddenly stopped, and Lacey glanced up, waiting for Emma to walk into the kitchen. But she didn’t. Lacey didn’t know what she would do if Emma disobeyed her now. Her luck held, and the house grew quiet. After fifteen minutes, Lacey could stand it no longer. She slowly made her way to Emma’s room.
    Her sister