Ghost Phoenix Read Online Free PDF Page A

her hand back through the drawer and dropped her concentration. Her hand filled out and became flesh and blood once more. She tugged at the drawer again. It came free. Success!
    If only she could get her life unstuck as easily.
    Jen swept into the house, fussy baby attached to her by one of those baby slings. Little James had not yet reached full howl, but he was definitely showing the signs.
    â€œDad and Grandfather are looking for you.” Jen rolled her eyes and shifted the baby. He gurgled and stopped fussing. “I told them you were helping and to stay out of your way until the party was done.”
    â€œThanks, Jen.”
    She shrugged. “I’d almost think you’re in here avoiding them.”
    â€œExactly what I’m doing.”
    â€œThey’re pissed at you about something?”
    â€œYou noticed, huh?”
    â€œScrew them,” Jen said. “They’re always on your case about something, ever since you discovered you have the family gift. Want to buzz out before they find you? I’ll cover. Let ’em stew, that’s what I say.”
    The baby started crying, and Jen started pacing. Jen’s way of dealing with Dad and Grandfather was to avoid them. She’d moved out at eighteen, come back with Scott in tow and then announced she’d taken a job outside the family firm, as an accountant in a bank.
    And when Dad complained about her “abandoning the family”, she’d ducked his phone calls until even he got a clue.
    Then Jen got pregnant and the prodigal child was welcomed back with open arms. Dad was so happy about having a grandchild that he didn’t mention the past. Ever. Dad never liked to fight. It was why he had trouble standing up to Grandfather.
    More than anything, Marian wished she could live her own life like Jen did. But Jen didn’t have the family’s phantom power. Jen didn’t have the responsibility of the future of the business falling to her. Marian vowed to make sure whoever came after her would have a choice. She doubted Jen would want James, if he inherited the power, to someday be badgered into illegal and immoral smuggling for the family good.
    This was the best way, for everyone. Even if Grandfather didn’t realize it yet.
    â€œActually, Jen, could you tell Dad and Grandfather that I’d like to talk to them right now? Somewhere private?”
    Jen shifted her weight again in an effort to soothe the baby. “You have something big to tell them, right? Can I listen?”
    â€œNot that big. Your kid trumps me.” Marian grinned. “Thanks for the offer of help, but I have to do this thing myself.”
    â€œSure. Good luck! Don’t you dare let them guilt you into something. You’ve done plenty already. You’ve got a right to live your own life.”
    â€œAs you’ve been telling me for years. I know. Well, I’m listening now.” Marian swept a bunch of dirty paper plates into the trash. “Thanks.”
    Even as Marian said it, her stomach soured. This was going to be bad.
    Jen reached out and squeezed Marian’s hand. “Go get ’em, sis. And you could always stay here to hide out, if you need to. You know Grandfather can’t take all the baby’s crying. Too much disorder! He would never come here after you.” Jen wrinkled her face in perfect imitation of their grandfather.
    Marian hugged her. Carefully, so as not to squish James. “I needed that.”
    â€œI’ll tell them to meet you in the living room,” Jen said. “It’s the cleanest place.”
    â€œGreat.”
    Apparently, Jen’s cleanest room meant the room was only half full of unopened baby presents instead of being jammed with them.
    Marian began stacking the presents next to the playpen in the corner. These would do James no good right now—he’d have to grow into them, just like the playpen.
    Grandfather arrived, her father at his heels, as