Haunted Fixer-Upper, The Read Online Free PDF Page B

I’d do it with or without him.
    “You know I’m a sucker for old houses. How can I say no ?” Reed ended with a smile.
    I grabbed his hand. “You can’t say no. That’s why I love you.”
    After talking to what I believed was every single person at the reunion and a million mosquito bites later, Reed and I jumped back in Frank’s truck. As he drove us home, I was thankful that Frank and Reed were so engrossed in their discussion of the Atlanta Braves game that I was free to daydream the whole ride back.
    We pulled down the long gravel ro ad toward his uncle’s home. The brick ranch home sat next to a small lake and was surrounded by many tall trees. Moonlight glowed across the lake as we pulled up to the house.
    On the other side of the wate r, there was a cozy cabin. That was where we were staying. Why we weren’t sleeping in the house with Reed’s uncle was beyond me. Regardless, the surroundings were peaceful and serene, just the stress reliever I needed right now. This had been where Reed had spent a lot of his childhood. I couldn’t imagine growing up there, or ever wanting to leave for that matter. Frank wasted little time backing up and taking off after we’d hoped out of his truck.
    “Well, I guess now you’ ll get to finally meet my Uncle Lou.” Hesitation lingered in Reed’s voice.
    “I’m looking forward to it,” I said, grabbing his hand.
    We walked up the path toward the door and I found my anxiety mounting again. What if he didn’t like me? All I could do was be myself, though. If that wasn’t good enough then there was nothing I could do about that. Reed rapped on the door, but before he finished the knock, it swung open. A tall man stood before us. It was obviously Reed’s uncle because they looked just alike.
    “ Come on in here.” He waved his arm wildly. “You must be Alabama. I’m glad I finally got to meet you. I thought my son never would bring you here.”
    Wow. It sure didn’t seem as if he was upset about anything.
    I giggled. I might’ve been blushing. “It’s a pleasure to meet you. I’m really sorry about your truck.”
    “ Don’t worry about it. That old thing was ready to go anyway.”
    “Alabama, this is my Uncle Lou.”
    Lou didn’ t waste time by shaking my hand. Instead he reached out and wrapped his arms around me, then squeezed me a little too tightly. Finally he released his hold and I smiled at Reed. My gaze traveled across the room. Pictures of Reed’s aunt and uncle lined the built-in shelves on the far left wall. The feminine décor let me know that his uncle hadn’t changed things since Reed’s aunt had died. It looked like a woman had decorated and then a bachelor had moved in. Newspapers littered the coffee table and clothing was draped over the side chair.
    “ Would you like something to drink?” He gestured toward the kitchen with a tilt of his head.
    “ No, thank you. I had a lot of lemonade at the picnic. I’m sorry you had to leave early.”
    I searched his face for a reaction. I was really just fishing for an answer for why he left early. Yeah, I was being nosy.
    “ Well, I gave up on you all showing up.” Lou stared at Reed.
    I glanced at Reed. He had a frown on his face.
    “It’s been a long day.” Reed stuffed his hands in his pockets. “I think we’re headed to bed.”
    I faked a yawn for Reed’s sake. “ Thanks for letting us stay in the cottage.”
    Reed’ s uncle nodded, but his frown deepened. The silence was growing more awkward by the minute. My cell phone rang loudly. I should have put the thing on vibrate. When I saw the number displayed on the screen, I forced back a groan. I knew I’d better answer that call or my mother would dial my number nonstop until I picked up. Reed and Lou looked at me as if to say, Aren’t you going to answer that?
    “ I’ll just slip outside and take this call.”
    Reed looked as if he wanted to grab my arm and beg me no t to leave him alone with Lou. There was nothing I could do