High Hurdles Collection Two Read Online Free PDF

today. He’s an effective leader and boss because he can control his temper. And let me tell you, there have been plenty of times in his life to test that out.” Joe crossed one leg over the other as he nibbled the last bite. He nodded. “I’m really proud of that man. And thank God He answered our prayers. His mother and I spent plenty of time praying for Robert and his temper.”
    DJ, in a matching pose, nodded beside him. “I was just looking forward to time alone with you and Gran.” She forced the words past the rough spot in her throat.
    â€œThanks for telling me.” Joe uncrossed his arms and slid one around her shoulders, drawing her closer to his side. “Bet you miss Gran a lot at times.”
    DJ nodded. The words wouldn’t come this time, but the tears tried to.
    â€œWell, I’ll tell you something. I am so grateful she married me, and I couldn’t love you more if I’d met you the day you were born.” He paused and cleared his throat. “So I’ll try to be sensitive to when you two need each other all to yourselves and make sure you get that time. And I’ll try hard not to be jealous, but it won’t be easy.”
    DJ leaned her head against his shoulder. “Th-thank you.” She sniffed. “You got a tissue anywhere nearby?”
    He snagged two from the box on the windowsill. “Here.” Giving her one, he used the other. When they’d both blown their noses and wiped their eyes, they paused. Sure enough, a car door slammed.
    â€œI better go help her.”
    â€œMe too.” DJ followed him out the door.
    Bobby and Billy were scrubbing their eyes awake when they opened the back doors to the minivan. Joe picked up one pajama-clad boy and DJ the other so Gran could bring in the suitcase.
    â€œBobby or Billy?” DJ whispered to the boy with his head on her shoulder.
    â€œBobby,” he croaked back.
    Inside, when she tried to set him down, he clung to her with both arms and legs.
    â€œYou want to go to bed?”
    He shook his head once and hung on.
    DJ followed Gran and Joe down the hall and into the guest room with twin beds that the boys called their room. With cowboy bedspreads, minibikes, and a basket of balls, bats, baseball gloves, and dump trucks in the corner, the room certainly looked like a boys’ lair. Gran had already taken the twins’ matching monkeys out of the suitcase and laid them on the pillows of the turned-back beds. Joe and DJ set their burdens down and tucked the blankets around the sleepy boys. Each with an arm over a monkey, the two turned on their sides and instantly fell back to sleep.
    Once in the kitchen, Gran shook her head. “At least Maria got them to the emergency clinic early this morning. The doctor said it looks like strep throat, and they both have congestion in their chests, too. She got them on antibiotics and had the doctor take a look at her, too, since she already felt terrible. By the time I arrived, she was coughing her head off and running a temp. Good thing she called me when she did.”
    â€œSo who’s taking care of Maria?” Joe asked.
    â€œHer sister is going to check on her. I’ll call her again first thing in the morning. We could always make up a bed for her here if we need to.” Gran rubbed her temples with the tips of her fingers.
    â€œYou okay?” DJ asked.
    â€œJust a headache.” Gran blew out a breath. “Are the potatoes and carrots done, do you think?”
    â€œAhh, probably not quite yet.” Joe made a face. “How about I make you and DJ a cup of tea and you go put your feet up on the hassock.” He turned to the cupboard. “What kind do you want?”
    â€œOrange spice.” Gran glanced DJ a question.
    â€œFine.”
    As soon as Gran sat in her new wing chair—she now had one at each house—DJ pulled the matching hassock over, let Gran get comfortable, then took her place on