Emmett Read Online Free PDF

stairwell door was open, where the workmen were going in and out of the building.”
    â€œI’m sorry,” he said shortly. He glanced at the kids. Amy and Polk seemed very sympathetic, but Guy was surlier than ever and his lower lip was prominent. Emmett’s eyes narrowed.
    â€œHave you checked yourself out?” Melody asked, changing the subject to keep from bursting into tears.
    â€œYes.” He got to his feet, a little unsteadily.
    â€œI’ll help you, Dad,” Guy said. He propped up his father’s side. He wouldn’t look at Melody.
    â€œDid you drive or take a cab?” he asked her.
    â€œI drove.”
    â€œWhat do you drive?”
    â€œA Volkswagen,” she told him.
    He groaned. She smiled for the first time that day. As tall as he was, fitting him inside her small car, even in the front seat, was going to be an interesting experience.
    And it was. He had to bring his knees up almost to his chin. Polk and Amy laughed at the picture he made.
    â€œPoor Emmett,” Amy said. “You don’t fit very well.”
    â€œFirst you shove gory pictures under my nose. Then you stuff me into a tin can with wheels,” Emmett began with a meaningful glance in Melody’s direction.
    â€œDon’t insult my beautiful little car. It isn’t the car’s fault that you’re too tall,” she reminded him as she started her car. “And you were horrible to me. I was only getting even.”
    â€œI am not too tall.”
    â€œI hope you aren’t going to collapse,” she said worriedly when he leaned his head back against the seat. “I live on the fourth floor.”
    â€œI’m all right. I’m just groggy.”
    â€œI hope so,” she murmured. She put the car in gear and reversed it.
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    Guy helped him into the elevator and upstairs. Amy and Polk got on the other side, and between them, they maneuvered him into Melody’s apartment and onto her sofa.
    The sleeping arrangements were going to be interesting, she thought. She could put Emmett and the boys in her bedroom and she and Amy could share the sleeper sofa. It wasn’t ideal, but it would be adequate. What wouldn’t was managing some pajamas for Emmett.
    â€œI don’t wear pajamas,” he muttered. “You aren’tgoing to be in the bedroom, so it won’t concern you,” he added with a glittery green stare.
    She turned away to keep him from seeing the color in her cheeks. “All right. I’ll see about getting something together for sandwiches.”
    At least, he wasn’t picky about what he ate. That was a mixed blessing. Perhaps it was the concussion, making him so agreeable.
    â€œThis isn’t bad,” he murmured when he’d finished off two egg salad sandwiches.
    â€œThank you,” she replied.
    â€œI hate eggs,” Guy remarked, but he was still eating his sandwich as he said it. He didn’t look at Melody.
    â€œAnd me,” Melody added for him. He looked up, surprised, and her steady gaze told him that she knew exactly how her cat had managed to get out the door and lost.
    He flushed and put down the rest of his sandwich. “I’m not hungry.” He got up and went into the living room with Amy and Polk, who were eating on TV tables.
    Emmett ran a big hand through his dark hair. “I’m sorry about your cat,” he said.
    â€œSo am I.” She got up and cleared away the dishes. “There’s coffee if you’d like some.”
    â€œI would. Black.”
    â€œI’ll bet you don’t eat catsup on steak, either,” she murmured.
    He smiled at her as she put a mug of steaming coffee beside his hand. “Smart girl.”
    â€œWhy do you ride in rodeos?” she asked when she was sitting down.
    The question surprised him. He leaned back in his chair fingering the hot mug, and considered it. “I always have,” he began.
    â€œIt must be hard on the