Three Little Words Read Online Free PDF

happened upon him standing in front of the mirror in Case’s entryway, attempting to make use of Ava’s gift.
    “Well, we’re short on waitstaff and we’ve got a few kinks to work through. But all in all, it’s going smoother than I expected. How’s the food?”
    Case poked his fork into a piece of grilled asparagus. “I may never cook at home again.”
    Seth pulled out a chair, twisted it around and straddled its back. He could take a minute to sit, right? “Listen, now that the restaurant’s actually open, I should hopefully have time to get to work on the apartment upstairs. Then I can finally get out of your hair.”
    Case chewed and swallowed. “You’re not in our hair, Seth. With Raegan being the only one home—and barely, considering she’s got four jobs—”
    “You’re exaggerating, Dad.”
    “Fine, three. Anyway, with the others out of the house, you know I’ve got more space than I know what to do with. Stay as long as you need.”
    He had no idea what he would’ve done without his uncle’s help this past year. It wasn’t only giving him a place to land but encouraging his dream. Even going so far as to cosign the business loan he’d taken out. And all of Case’s kids—even the ones who didn’t live at home anymore, Logan, Kate, and Beckett—had found different ways to help out.
    None of them voiced their reasons why, but he knew it was their way of filling in the gaps, proving that not all Walkers walked out.
    “Thanks, Case. For everything. You, too, Rae. This wouldn’t be possible without you guys.”
    He stood, turned the chair back to the table and scanned the restaurant. He caught sight of Shan standing in the kitchen doorway again. Only this time, concern pulled her features into a frown. Uh-oh.
    “Enjoy the rest of the meal, all right? Make sure to get dessert. It’s on me.”
    He made his way through the labyrinth of tables, doling out smiles and greetings to community members he recognized and some he didn’t.
    The sound of a guitar tuning hovered in the background of the restaurant’s chatter. Live music had always been part of his plan for The Red Door. He caught Bear McKinley’s eye as he passed where his friend perched on a stool by the fireplace, plucking at his Martin. Major chord, major, major, minor, minor . . .
    He met Shan at the kitchen doorway. “What’s wrong?”
    “Dishwasher’s making some sketchy noises.”
    “Sketchy as in we can wait until tomorrow to worry about it or as in it’s gonna blow up?”
    “Sketchy as in I’ve already called my husband to make sure he and the kids are on standby if I end up needing human dishwashers.”
    Yikes. “That bad?”
    “That bad.”
    How tacky would it be to ask his uncle to take a look at it? Case had a magic touch. Mom used to call him over at least once a month with one fix-it request or another. And in all those times, Seth couldonly remember once when his uncle couldn’t actually fix whatever appliance had gone bad.
    Pretty sure that time, Case had just gone and replaced the appliance. Because that was Case.
    “I’ll check it out.” Maybe he’d be able to figure out what was wrong without pulling Case away from his meal.
    He followed Shan into the kitchen and over to the industrial-size dishwasher. The clanking sound came from inside, as if the tray of dishes inside had jammed against the spinning water spout.
    He leaned over the counter and grasped the door handle, behind which the sound of gushing water slammed against the walls of the dishwasher. He jiggled. Shoot, definitely jammed. He pulled harder. If he could just open it a slit and stick his hand inside, he might be able to knock the rack free and—
    Suddenly the door jerked free. And water—sudsy and hot—rushed at him, spurting every direction and slapping over his shirt.
    “Oh man, seriously?” He sputtered through the onslaught. “Turn it off, Shan!”
    “Where’s the button?”
    “You don’t know where the button is?” When