Safe Haven Read Online Free PDF Page B

her?”
    “No, she came with the name. Can you help me get her boots on, though? I can’t get them on all the way.”
    Alex watched as Kristen handed Katie the doll and she began to work on the soft plastic boots. From his own experience, Alex knew it was harder than it looked. There wasn’t a chance a little girl could somehow muscle them on. He had trouble putting them on, but somehow Katie made it seem easy. She handed the doll back and asked, “How’s that?”
    “Perfect,” Kristen said. “Do you think I should put a coat on her?”
    “It’s not that cold out.”
    “I know. But Vanessa gets cold sometimes. I think she needs one.” Kristen’s head vanished behind the counter and then popped up again. “Which one do you think? Blue or purple?”
    Katie brought a finger to her mouth, her expression serious. “I think purple might be good.”
    Kristen nodded. “That’s what I think, too. Thanks.”
    Katie smiled before turning away, and Alex focused his attention on the shelves before she caught him staring. He moved jars of mustard and relish toward the front of the shelf. From the corner of his eye, he saw Katie scoop up a small shopping basket before moving toward a different aisle.
    Alex headed back to the register. When she saw him, he offered a friendly wave. “Good morning,” he said.
    “Hi.” She tried to tuck a strand of hair behind her ear, but it was too short to catch. “I just have to pick up a few things.”
    “Let me know if you can’t find what you need. Sometimes things get moved around.”
    She nodded before continuing down the aisle. As Alex stepped behind the register, he glanced at the video screen. Josh was fishing in the same spot, while a boat was slowly docking.
    “What do you think, Daddy?” Kristen tugged on his pant leg as she held up the doll.
    “Wow! She looks beautiful.” Alex squatted down next to her. “And I love the coat. Vanessa gets cold sometimes, right?”
    “Yup,” Kristen said. “But she told me she wants to go on the swings, so she’s probably going to change.”
    “Sounds like a good idea,” Alex said. “Maybe we can all go to the park later? If you want to swing, too.”
    “I don’t want to swing. Vanessa does. And it’s all pretend, anyway, Daddy.”
    “Oh,” he said, “okay.” He stood again. Scratch going to the park , he thought.
    Lost in her own world, Kristen began to undress the doll again. Alex checked on Josh in the monitor just as a teenager entered the store, wearing nothing but board shorts. He handed over a wad of cash.
    “For the pump at the dock,” he said before dashing out again.
    Alex rang him up and set the pump as Katie walked to the register. Same items as always, with the addition of a tube of sunscreen. When she peeked over the counter at Kristen, Alex noticed the changeable color of her eyes.
    “Did you find everything you needed?”
    “Yes, thank you.”
    He began loading her bag. “My favorite Dickens novel is Great Expectations ,” he said. He tried to sound friendly as he put the items in her bag. “Which one is your favorite?”
    Instead of answering right away, she seemed startled that he remembered that she’d told him she liked Dickens.
    “ A Tale of Two Cities ,” she answered, her voice soft.
    “I like that one, too. But it’s sad.”
    “Yes,” she said. “That’s why I like it.”
    Since he knew she’d be walking, he double-bagged the groceries.
    “I figured that since you’ve already met my daughter, I should probably introduce myself. I’m Alex,” he said. “Alex Wheatley.”
    “Her name is Miss Katie,” Kristen chirped from behind him. “But I already told you that, remember?” Alex glanced over his shoulder at her. When he turned back, Katie was smiling as she handed the money to him.
    “Just Katie,” she said.
    “It’s nice to meet you, Katie.” He tapped the keys and the register drawer opened with a ring. “I take it you live around here?”
    She never got around to