Riverbend Road Read Online Free PDF

as she pulled over to the shoulder of the road, grimly aware she was too shaky to talk on the phone and drive safely at the same time.
    She was greeted by an excited shriek that nearly pierced her eardrums.
    â€œIs it true?” her sister, Katrina, demanded.
    As usual, her sister’s bubbly energy made her feel about a hundred years older, though less than five years separated them.
    â€œI’m going to say yes, though I’m not sure what you’re talking about.”
    â€œSam just texted me that Michelle Hunter came into the store and said she heard from her mom who heard on the police scanner that you ran into a burning building and saved about twelve people.”
    Oh, the fun rumor mill in Haven Point. You had to love it.
    â€œDon’t forget all the babies and kittens. There had to be at least a hundred of them.”
    â€œSeriously?”
    For about half a second, Katrina actually bought it. Wyn swallowed a laugh. She adored her sister, she really did, but sometimes Kat was a little too gullible—not a good trait in a second-grade teacher.
    â€œNo,” she finally admitted. “No babies or kittens. Or puppies, for that matter. I didn’t rescue a dozen people either. As usual, the facts tend to get a little distorted once the rumors start flying.”
    â€œWhy bother with facts when they only get in the way of a good story?”
    It was another of their dad’s little sayings and she had to smile. Both she and her sister seemed to be quoting John Bailey more often now that he was gone. Maybe they were finally able to remember him as he once was instead of the distorted version they had lived with for the last two years of his life.
    â€œIt was only two little boys,” she answered. “Lindy-Grace Keegan’s pair. And I was only a few minutes ahead of the fire crew.”
    â€œMy sister, the hero! That’s amazing. I’m so proud of you. Dad would have been too.”
    â€œThanks,” she answered, a little catch in her throat at the words.
    â€œI mean it. Wait until Marsh hears.”
    Their oldest brother, Marshall, was the sheriff of Lake Haven County. What would he think about her suspension? He would probably support it wholeheartedly, especially since Cade was his best friend.
    â€œCan I bring you dinner tonight?” Kat asked. “I was thinking about trying out a new recipe for chicken divan.”
    Her stomach gave a long, greasy roll at the offer. Kat was a fantastic, dedicated teacher, a good friend and a sweet, kindhearted person. She was also a terrible cook.
    â€œI think I’m good. Thanks, though. I just need a little downtime, you know?”
    â€œAre you sure? I’d love to bring you something. What about dessert? I’ve got more fresh rhubarb out back and was thinking about rhubarb-cherry tarts.”
    Her mouth puckered. Kat was on a no-sugar kick these days and Wyn could only imagine rhubarb-cherry tarts without it. No thanks. She had an emergency Snickers bar hidden away inside her house that was calling her name right now.
    â€œYou’re so sweet, but really. It’s been a crazy day and I need to chill.”
    It felt like another lifetime ago that she had been rescuing Aunt Jenny from the cow moose and her baby camping out in her driveway.
    â€œI totally get that. After teaching twenty-five seven-year-olds all day, sometimes when I get home from school I just want to sink into a chair and not move until the next morning. I don’t know how I would survive without summers. Fine. But can we grab lunch or something this week? Don’t tell me you’re working double shifts! I won’t hear any excuses.”
    â€œOkay. I won’t tell you that.” She didn’t add that she wasn’t working any shifts for several days. Kat would have no problem marching right down to the fire scene and giving Cade a piece of her mind. Her sister tended to lump Cade into the same category as Marshall