Happily Ever After Read Online Free PDF

couldn’t help but dissolve. Mona rolled her eyes.
    “Don’t worry, Mone. We’ll make sure the ad says No opinions allowed,” Liza quipped.

    Joe hung his head over the lumpy motel bed, stared at the mint green carpet, and conceded he was a coward.
    Groaning above the whine of Mayberry R.F.D. reruns on the television, he flopped back against two ancient, orange macrameé pillows, clasped his hands behind his head,
     and looked at the dusty ceiling.
    He’d been in town for two agonizing days, pitching stones into the cold lake, and he had yet to muster the courage to knock
     on his brother’s door. Who knew it would be so hard to face your own flesh and blood?Maybe if he had a job or something that
     made his visit less . . . needy. Something to fill his time while he moseyed around, working up the guts to face the family
     he’d abandoned.
    No, not abandoned. He would never abandon.
    Anyway, he had nowhere else to go. He’d run out of options and ideas. That thought had hit him more than a few times over
     the past eight months. Nowhere to go, but certainly nowhere he could call home either. Even in this topographical castoff,
     his days were numbered, and that deadline loomed like a guillotine with each passing day.
    Joe blew out a long, pained breath, rolled onto his side, and propped his head on his hand. He studied the chocolate brown
     Lab in the opposite bed. He’d smuggled the mutt in, feeling it was his civic duty to give the pooch a meal and a decent night’s
     sleep. Besides, those pitiful eyes spoke to a lonely place in his heart.
    The dog turned out to be a good guest, knowing to lie low and sleep late. He’d cleaned up well in the motel tub, his hide
     turning glossy milk chocolate. Joe appreciated his lean strong lines, despite the row of ribs that rippled along his sides.
     Although hungry, the animal hadn’t been maltreated. He was probably lost.
    Since arriving in town, Joe had photographed the dog and distributed “lost dog” posters to a few local businesses. Unfortunately,
     there had been no calls about his vagrant friend. Abandoning the search for the dog’s master wasn’t an entirely abhorrent
     prospect, however. Joe rather enjoyed the silent, steadfast company of the Lab in the opposite double bed.
    “I guess I should name you, huh?” In one smooth movement, Joe leaped off his bed and straddled the Lab. The dog’s ears perked.
     Joe rubbed him ferociously down his long back. The dog groaned with pleasure, rolling over. Joe scratched his underbelly.
    “I better find us something worthwhile to do while I figure this Gabe thing out.” He sat back, hands on his knees, scowling
     at the seventies-era motel room. He’d be more comfortable in a tent, but a camping trip through northern Minnesota wouldn’t
     bring him any closer to his younger brother. No, he had to find something in town to stretch his muscles while he figured
     out how to be a brother. Nothing permanent, just a distraction to fill his thoughts with something more than memories. Maybe
     a distraction that would lead to ideas, answers—and an escape plan. And, hopefully, he’d find someplace to stay that didn’t
     smell like three-day-old laundry.
    Joe gave the dog a last rubdown, then rose, heading to the television to click it off. He felt the rip before he heard it
     as teeth latched onto his jeans pocket. Playing teeth, he hoped as he turned. The dog hung his head, looking sheepish with
     a swatch of denim caught in his incisors.
    “Not done wrestling, huh?” Joe patted him. “You just earned your name, Rip.”
    Joe untangled the fabric from sharp white teeth and gave the dog a teasing glower. “No more pants for breakfast. Only dog
     chow for you. It took me three long years and two mountains to get these to the shade and texture I like. Now I’m gonna have
     to find a seamstress.” He craned his neck, looked behind him, and scowled. “Well, maybe the change will add character.”Joe
     glared again, and