This Changes Everything Read Online Free PDF

You don’t think it’s real, so you have to believe I won’t find it.
Then you’ll get what you always wanted. No more ‘curse nonsense,’ as you put
it.” He smiled at her, taking some of the harshness out of their conversation.
    “Why get the
papers tonight? It’s storming.”
    “Because I need
all the time I can get before I start searching. You have to give me the full
week. Starting tomorrow. If I can translate the rest of the symbols tonight, I
can start on locating the gate tomorrow.”
    She took a deep
breath and closed her eyes. “Okay.”
    Her father stuffed
the ring into his shirt pocket, then cupped her mother’s face. “You and Ellie
mean more to me than anything else in this world, Amanda.” He placed a soft
kiss on her lips and raised his head. “I’m sorry I’ve brought so much turmoil
into your life.”
    She wrapped her
arms around his back. “I love you, John, and if it was just you and me, I could
handle it. But I have to think about our little girl.”
    His head lowered
and he kissed her again as she grabbed handfuls of the back of his shirt. Whenever
Ellie caught her parents kissing like this, she knew they had something none of
her other friends’ parents had. She would never settle for anything less.
    Her mother leaned
back. “Don’t go tonight. I have a bad feeling.”
    He stroked her
cheek with his thumb, his eyes glittering as they looked into hers. “The
weather has you on edge.”
    “No, it’s
something else. I think Ellie feels it too. She hasn’t been herself for days.
Something’s not right.”
    “If I don’t find
the gate, you’ll be free of the curse forever.”
    She sighed, guilt
pinching her forehead.
    He kissed her
again, his hand sliding up under the back of her shirt.
    Ellie turned
away. She’d caught them without clothes on before and it felt wrong and gross
to watch. Thankful they’d made up, she went back into the kitchen to finish her
homework.
    Daddy came in
about ten minutes later with his arm around Momma’s back. Both their faces were
slightly red, and they held on to each other as though they hadn’t seen each
other in weeks.
    “I have to go
out, Elliphant. I want you to take care of your mother for me.”
    Ellie nodded
solemnly. “Okay.”
    He bent over and
kissed her forehead, his lips lingering longer than usual. “I love you, Ellie.
I’m sorry if I’ve hurt you.”
    Ellie blinked in
confusion. “You haven’t hurt me, Daddy.”
    He offered her a
soft smile, but his eyes looked sad. “I’ll see you later.”
    “Bye, Daddy.”
    He headed for the
back door and grabbed a coat and an umbrella. He started out the door and her
mother rushed for him, hugging him tight.
    “Be careful,” she
said softly.
    He bent down and
kissed her. “Don’t worry. I’m not afraid of a little weather.”
    Momma stood at
the back door for several minutes, watching out the glass panes before she
turned to face Ellie. “Did you finish your homework?”
    Ellie nodded,
worry knotting her stomach into a tight ball. The moment Daddy walked out the
door, she found it difficult to breathe.
    “Why don’t you
put on your pajamas and pick a story to read. You can sleep with me tonight and
we can read together.”
    “Can I wear my
nightgown?”
    “I think that’s a
great idea,” her momma said, smiling.
    “Okay.” Usually
Ellie would squeal with excitement, but she could barely catch her breath.
    “I’m going to
check on the guests in the inn and then I’ll be right up.”
    “Okay.”
    Ellie’s mother
pulled her into a hug, clinging tight. “I love you more than anything.”
    “More than the
flowers and the bees?” Ellie asked the familiar line.
    “More than the ocean
and the trees.”
    It was their
special game. But instead of filling her with warmth, her stomach churned.
    Her mother released
her hold and smoothed back Ellie’s hair. “Now go upstairs and get ready.”
    Ellie headed for
the steps, her feet heavy.
    “And don’t forget
to brush