Summer Read Online Free PDF Page B

told her yes, I thought she’d recognize him in heaven. That’s when she asked me the question I’ve been dreading. ‘How did Daddy die?’”
    Ashley made a face. Innocence and security marked the lives of their children. Kari and Ryan had hoped to avoid talking about the specifics of Tim’s death as long as possible. “What did you tell her?”
    “I said a mean and sick man hurt him. That’s how he died.”
    “And that was enough?”
    The kids passed by again, their legs flying as they pushed the pedals.
    Kari sighed. “For now. Someday she’ll want the details, and I’ll have to tell her. Tim’s affair, the college kid who had a thing for Tim’s girlfriend, and the fact that Tim was gunned down outside the girl’s apartment. All of it.” She blew at a wisp of her hair and gave Ashley a sad smile. “Yeah, I’d like to think the hardest trials we’ll face are behind us.”
    “Me too.” Ashley noticed the three kids stopping ahead of them.
    “This is it.” Maddie climbed off her bike and held her hand out in front of Cole and Tatum. “One time around. First one back to this spot wins.”
    “Sometimes I think Brooke should’ve named her Lucy.” Kari chuckled.
    “True.” Ashley felt the nerve-racking thoughts from earlier lift. “But only if I would’ve named Cole Charlie Brown.”
    “Ready, set . . .” Maddie put her hands on her hips. “You’re cheating, Cole. Back up.”
    Cole mumbled something they couldn’t hear, even though they were drawing closer to the kids. He backed his bike up a few inches. “There. Is that better?”
    Maddie tilted her chin up. “Yes. Much.” She smiled at Tatum. “Mark, get set . . . go!”
    The bicyclists were off, tearing down the straightaway and rounding the first turn. Cole was fast, but Tatum kept up with him around the curve and all during the next straightaway.
    “Go, Tatum! Go!” Maddie stayed in her spot, jumping up and down and motioning for Tatum to pass Cole. “Faster!”
    Ashley and Kari stopped walking and turned so they could see the race. Cole edged in front of Tatum, and gradually a full bike length separated them. Then, without warning, Cole’s front tire began to wobble, and before Ashley could warn him, both tires slid out from under him, and the bike crashed onto its side.
    “Cole!” Ashley took a step in his direction, but at the same instant, she saw him sit up and brush off his arms.
    “He’s okay.” Kari touched Ashley’s arm. “Wait a minute.”
    The instant Tatum realized what had happened, she braked hard and jumped off her bike, dropping it to the ground. She was at Cole’s side in seconds, lifting his bike off him and waiting until he was on his feet and could take it from her.
    Kari was right; Cole was fine. He might have skinned his elbow, but he could walk, and he didn’t look like he was in pain. The accident had happened just ten yards from where Ashley was standing, so she could see that Cole’s cheeks were red again as he brushed himself off. But she could also hear Tatum’s clear, sweet voice.
    “Are you okay?” She pointed to his elbow. “I think you’re bleeding.”
    Cole twisted around and looked at his arm. “It’s okay. Just a scrape.” He filled his cheeks with air and released it slowly.
    From a ways down the track, Maddie was running in their direction. “It’s a do-over. That doesn’t count!”
    Tatum giggled when she heard her friend. She looked at Cole and shrugged. “You win. You were going to anyway.”
    “Nah, Maddie’s right. I fell, so that means you woulda won.” Cole pulled his bike close and climbed on it. He was careful to anchor his feet on either side, steadying himself. He grinned at Tatum. “How ’bout it’s a tie?”
    Ashley’s heart soared. Cole was actually bending a little, letting his competitiveness go, at least for a few minutes. “That a boy, Cole,” she whispered.
    A smile lit up Tatum’s face too. “Perfect.”
    Maddie ran past Ashley and Kari,