Broken Creek (The Creek #1) Read Online Free PDF

was beginning to get dark and ice pellets were hitting my windshield, the early warning to brace for a couple of days of the short winter storm that had been predicted.
    Mom had at least prepared and stocked the kitchen with groceries. It was obvious she had cut back on utility use because I noticed blankets piled by her rocker-recliner. The last few years she’d slept many a night in the old beige recliner, pleading that it was more comfortable than lying flat in bed.
    There wasn’t a lot of time left before she would be home, and I thought the least I could do was have dinner ready. I found stuff to make spaghetti and garlic toast and thought of the many times she would remind me that I called it “Skettie” when I was growing up. It was my favorite dish when I was a little girl.
    I got a glimpse of her headlights coming across the bridge from the window in the den and waited for her to come in.
    “Welcome home,” she squealed, smothering me with a hug.
    “Hi, Mom.”
    She pushed back from me with her hands on her hips. “‘Hi, Mom,’ hmm. That sounded a little bland, and I bet I know why. Don’t start on me. I knew you would come home if I told you. Things didn’t go as planned, but I’ve managed.”
    Our once-a-year unloading was going to happen this quick?
    I threw up my hands in retreat. “I get it. The truth would’ve been nice, but…I get it. And on Monday, I’m getting a plan together to take care of some things, don’t you worry. By the time I leave for school again, I’ll know everything is done.”
    We both stared at each other. When I saw her shoulders drop, I thought maybe she was willing to work with me and let me make some decisions about our place.
    And she didn’t need full disclosure of what that entailed.

    Monday came with bright sunshine. Any threat of winter precipitation was gone from the forecast. It was funny how a clear day could also provide mental clarity, and I needed that regarding the long days ahead of me.
    As planned, I went in to the office to meet with Dr. Palmer. With my list in hand, I took a pen and a piece of copy paper and sat at the table with him and Sara Beth.
    “If your mom listed the acreage for sale, I never got wind of it. I know we all tossed it up, but she didn’t go through with it,” Dr. Palmer said.
    “I can’t sell it without her permission, so I’ll get that before I go.”
    “That place back there with the bridge is her special place. You’re in for a fight. What’re your other options?” Sara Beth asked.
    “Lease the land out front. It’s the only option. I’ve got an ad written out that’s going in the regional papers today for their next run. I’ve got enough wood to fix the bridge, just need man power, and I think I may know where I can get that. I’m hoping to borrow a brush hog, since it’s supposed to be warm enough by the end of the week to at least get the place mowed down.”
    “I see you’ve got fire in your belly,” Dr. Palmer laughed out.
    “No, I’m pissed and frustrated, but not afraid to finally ask for help. She’s gonna kill herself trying to keep that place if I don’t stop her, and this is the only way,” I uttered with a little venom.
    I left the office just in the nick of time to make the newspaper deadline. It was when I stopped to get fuel I finally felt gripped by the massive pressure and reached my breaking point. Rock bottom just didn’t seem too far away. I had to know Mom and our home was taken care of, or I couldn’t in good conscience go back to school.
    I had both car doors open, cleaning out the trash in my car, when a big gust of wind blew, taking with it all of my receipts, notes, and papers, including the one with A.D.’s phone number, across the convenience store parking lot.
    Pieces of paper went everywhere.
    I chased papers, gathering them as quickly as I could find them. Then I sat in my car, trying to catch my breath when I noticed in my side mirror Stephan’s truck pulling up behind