The Brushstroke Legacy Read Online Free PDF Page B

life be so cruel as to give an active and wonderful man like my father Alzheimer’s?
    “You be careful out there. I know there are poisonous snakes and…”
    Ragni swallowed past the lump in her throat. “Bye, Mom.” Like she needed to hear about poisonous snakes at this juncture. Or snakes of any kind. The thought of snakes brought to mind Daren, the king of snakes.
Now, Ragni, don’t go down that track. You keep forgetting that you were the one who told him to take a hike.
    Ragni shook her head.
Whose side are you on?
She didn’t need Erika to drive her nuts; she did well enough on her own.

    Twenty minutes late she drove the car out of the parking garage, leaned against the front fender, and raised her face to catch some rays.
I could have slept longer. I could have had breakfast or at least made coffee.
She glanced up the street and saw her sister’s car turning toward her.
At last. But don’t say anything. You know that will only make it worse.
    Susan parked behind her and swung her door open. “Sorry.”
    “No problem.”
    “Come on, Erika.” Susan opened the trunk and hauled out a duffel, the rolled sleeping bag, and another duffel and set them on the sidewalk.
    “I said one duffel.”
    “I know, but…” The light in Susan’s eyes made it clear Ragni shouldn’t go any further. That and her tight jaw. She handed the bags to Ragni. “God help you,” she muttered under her breath.
    “That bad, eh?”
    “She’s lucky she’s still alive.”
    “All this stuff better be necessary.”
I should force her to repack.
Ragni stuffed the equipment in the backseat of her car. Now the rear-view mirror would be totally useless.
    “Come on, Erika. Let’s hit the road.”
Come on, Ragni, lighten up. She doesn’t want to do this trip any more than you do. Give her a break.
    The passenger-side door opened slowly, and the girl took her sweet time getting out. A black-clad leg with an untied black combat boot showed first, followed by its mate. At five-seven and pole thin, Erika radiated resentment like a fog. Straight, dyed-black hair swung forward to hide her face when she reached in the car for her stuffed backpack, her iPod in the other hand, earplugs already in place. She glared at her mother and slid into the passenger seat of Ragni’s car without a word.
    “Good morning to you, too,” Ragni said, rolling her eyes at her sister.
    Susan shook her head and leaned in to give her daughter a kiss. Erika turned away but couldn’t duck the pat on her shoulder.
    “I’m sure you and Ragni are going to have a great time.” Thesnort followed her when she pulled out of the car and shut the door. Susan rolled her eyes as she came around the car to give her younger sister a hug. “I’m sorry.”
    “Quit saying that. It’s not you.” Ragni hugged her back. “We’ll be all right. Besides, it’s only two weeks. I can endure anything for two weeks.” She slid into the driver’s seat and slammed her door, locking her seat belt without a thought. Glancing over, she saw that Erika had not buckled her seat belt. “Buckle up, sweetie.”
    If looks could do damage, my hair must be sizzling.
But the girl did as asked, in motions slow enough to lose a snail race.
    Ragni let out a sigh, rolled down the window, and smiled at her sister. Already a smile was taking more effort than she could afford.
    “See ya.” She glanced over at her passenger. Erika’s arms were locked across her chest, tighter than her seat belt.
Whoa boy, what fun we’re going to have. And to think I could have been at the lake. Alone!

“Where do you want to stop for breakfast?”
    No answer.
    Ragni glanced over at her passenger. Erika slumped in the seat, eyes closed. Had she fallen asleep already? No, one finger tapped out the rhythm of whatever music she was listening to.
    Ragni reached over and patted Erika on the knee. “I asked you where you want to stop for breakfast.”
    Erika removed one earplug.
    “I asked you where you want to