Right Next Door Read Online Free PDF

bothering you?” she asked, lowering the paper to get a better view of her son.
    He shrugged. “Did you know Mr. Camden used to be married?”
    â€œThat’s what I heard,” Robin said absently. But other than Heather’s remarks the previous week, she hadn’t heard anything else. In fact, she’d spoken to her neighbor only when she’d gone to pick up Jeff every afternoon. The child-care arrangement with Heather was working beautifully, but there’d been little opportunity to chat.
    As for Cole, Robin hadn’t seen him at all. Since he’dbeen so kind and helpful in the situation with Jeff, Robin had revised her opinion of him. He liked his privacy and that was fine by her; she had no intention of interrupting his serene existence. The memory of their first meeting still rankled, but she was willing to overlook that shaky beginning.
    â€œMr. Camden had a son who died.”
    Robin’s heart constricted. It made sense: the pain she’d seen when Jeff had asked him about children, the word on the street that Cole didn’t like kids, the abandoned fort. “I…How did you find that out?”
    â€œJimmy Wallach. He lives two streets over and has an older brother who used to play with Bobby Camden. Jimmy told me about him.”
    â€œI didn’t know,” Robin murmured, saddened by the information. She couldn’t imagine her life without Jeff—the mere thought of losing him was enough to tear her apart.
    â€œMrs. Wallach heard Jimmy talking about Bobby Camden, and she said Mr. Camden got divorced and it was real bad, and then a year later Bobby died. She said Mr. Camden’s never been the same since.”
    Robin ached for Cole, and she regretted all the uncharitable thoughts she’d had that first morning.
    â€œI feel sad,” Jeff whispered, frowning. His face was as intent as she’d ever seen it.
    â€œI do, too,” Robin returned softly.
    â€œMrs. Wallach seemed real surprised when I told her Mr. Camden said I could play in Bobby’s fort someday. Ever since his son died, he hasn’t let any kids in the yard or anything. She said he hardly talks to anyone in the neighborhood anymore.”
    Heather Lawrence had said basically the same thing,but hadn’t explained the reason for it. Probably because she didn’t know.
    â€œAre you still going to barbecue hamburgers for dinner tonight?”
    Robin nodded, surprised by the abrupt way Jeff had changed the subject. “If you want.” Next to macaroni and cheese, grilled burgers were Jeff’s all-time favorite food.
    â€œCan I invite Mr. Camden over to eat with us?”
    Robin hated to refuse her son, but she wasn’t sure a dinner invitation was a good idea. She didn’t know Cole very well, but she’d already learned he wasn’t one to socialize with the neighbors. In addition, Jeff might blurt out questions about Cole’s dead son that would be terribly painful for him.
    â€œMom,” Jeff pleaded, “I bet no one ever invites him to dinner and he’s all alone.”
    â€œSweetheart, I don’t know if that would be the right thing to do.”
    â€œBut we owe him, Mom,” Jeff implored. “He let me throw sticks for Blackie twice this week.”
    â€œI don’t think Mr. Camden’s home,” Robin said, picking up the newspaper while she weighed the pros and cons of Jeff’s suggestion. Since last Sunday, Robin hadn’t spoken to Cole once, and she wasn’t eager to initiate a conversation. He might read something into it.
    â€œI’ll go and see if he’s home.” Before she could react, Jeff was out the front door, letting the screen door slam in his wake.
    He returned a couple of minutes later breathless and excited. “Mr. Camden’s home and he said he appreciates the invitation, but he has other plans for tonight.”
    â€œThat’s too bad,” Robin said, hoping she