Memories of Love Read Online Free PDF

inclined to leave the paint, except in Sarah’s room. He liked
the soothing shade, and it seemed to go perfectly with the wood. High ceilings,
at least eight feet, maybe more, provided an airy feel to the apartment. As
soon as he had walked into the place, he liked it. Jane knows my taste. It would be a comfortable home for Sarah, Jane,
and Grant.
    “I’ve only got three days to get
everything done, Jane.” He ran a box cutter down the center of a tall cardboard
carton.
    “I hear ya .
It’ll happen, Grant. Relax. Gotta get the kitchen set
up. That’s most important.” She trotted off to accomplish her task.
    But he couldn’t relax. Every minute
he was there reminded him why they had moved—to keep Sarah safe. Yet this
massive city made him feel anything but. A fish out of water was how he
described it to his colleagues.
    So many strangers, unfamiliar faces
everywhere, even at Sarah’s new school. He looked at each one, wondering if
this was the person taking pictures of his daughter. The detectives had not
been able to give him even the name of the man with the camera. Would someone
snatch her and disappear, vanish into the subway or a waiting car? The thought
gave him chills and bad dreams.
    When they left, the police assumed
they’d be safe and put the case to rest. Their reasoning was that once the
little girl was gone, the perp would move on to an
easier target. They didn’t think he’d pursue her to New York. Grant tried to
make their confident attitude his own, but it didn’t work. Not sure if he was
being cautious or paranoid, he kept his instincts and observation skills sharp
when he was out on the street with Sarah.
    Jane directed the arranging and
rearranging of furniture and deciding where things should be stowed. She set up
the kitchen, leaving Grant to do the living room. Sarah flitted back and forth,
making comments of approval or disapproval until Jane took her in hand. She
settled the girl in her room with a new book of paperdolls and some scissors.
    When she could wade through the
chaos, Jane entered Sarah’s room, followed by Grant. “Time to set up your room,
lovey.”
    “I don’t like white walls.” Sarah
folded her arms across her chest.
    “We’ll paint them pink. How about
that?” Grant asked, squatting down to be eye level with his daughter.
    She jumped up and down. “Pink is my
favorite color!”
    “I know,” he laughed.
    Jane unloaded a box of clothes, making
the rounds from box to closet or bureau. Then, she checked her watch. “Time to
register you in the new school, cookie.” She folded a tiny, pink T-shirt.
    “Will you come with me, Daddy?” Sarah
looked up at him with imploring eyes.
    “Of course, pumpkin. Let’s go.”
Grant threw on his suit jacket and took her hand. They walked the four blocks
to her new public school. He filled out the paperwork while Sarah sat in on her
class. The teacher was friendly and the place welcoming. Grant sighed in relief
at having cleared that hurdle.
    That evening, he took Jane and Sarah
to a local Chinese restaurant since they were too tired to make dinner. After
an early bedtime for Sarah, Jane and Grant sat in the kitchen over late night
tea.
    “Her first day at P.S. fifteen tomorrow.”
Jane took a sip of her Earl Grey.
    “And I’m nervous as hell.” Grant
stirred in sugar.
    “Why?”
    “Because that pervert might be
lurking there.” Grant added milk.
    “We’ll keep her safe. You drop her
in the morning, and I’ll pick her up in the afternoon.”
    “Best laid plans of mice and men…”
    “Worrying like this won’t help. How
would he know where we are? Be vigilant. The school knows. Where’s Evelyn?”
    “Still in Washington.”
    “Fess up. Is she coming to New York,
or are you two separating?”
    Grant looked at her with surprise.
“Where did you get that idea?”
    “Hope springs eternal, I guess,”
Jane chuckled.
    “Nice, Jane,” Grant glared at her.
    “ Gotta be
honest.”
    “Like I don’t know how you