Ties That Bind Read Online Free PDF

their loved ones, he saw heaviness in her. The clear mark left by Quill. But she would bounce back. She had before.
    She spotted him and waved. “You’re home.”
    A humorous retort came to mind, one that should make her smile, but he wouldn’t broadcast it for all to hear. He kept most of his thoughts for Ariana. Talking to her was comfortable, like talking to himself, only with more thoughtful replies. But they’d had their share of arguments over the years. They were opposites, and at times they grated on each other’s nerves. Still, they had that famed twin thing between them—an invisible bond that somehow strengthened both of them.
    She passed a glass of lemonade to Salome, who’d given birth at 4:06 that morning. Then Ariana knelt in front of their niece Esther and tied her shoe. The scars on four-year-old Esther didn’t seem to bother her, but Salome hadn’t fared as well. Two and a half years ago Esther had fallen while playing near the firepit and had seriously burned her face. Salome continued to live in the nightmare that followed, and it pulled her into depression time and again.
    Ariana had Esther in fits of laughter before she kissed her cheek and headed for Abram, but her usual smile was subdued.
    Her white-blond hair reflected sunlight, as if she had shards of crystal in it. She stopped directly in front of him. “You’re late.”
    “So far you’ve stated that I’m here and I’m late. Should we change your name to Captain Obvious?” Abram fidgeted with the leather tool belt. “How you holding up?”
    “We’re not talking about it.” She placed her index finger to her lips. “Today I’m enjoying that everyone is here and safe.” She took his lunch pail. “Everyone else has eaten. I saved you plenty of grilled chicken legs, a large bowl of orange Jell-O, and five buttermilk biscuits.”
    When his sister set her will, it was best to abide by that without challenging her. He was sure she needed a day or so simply to think before she sprang into action. “If you left the food unmanned, it’s gone by now.”
    “I hid it in the back of the fridge, and I put a threatening note on the plate, so if someone does find it, they’ve been warned what will happen if they eat it.”
    “What was the threat?”
    “If the food came up missing, I would go on strike for two days.”
    “That would do it.” He glanced into her eyes, challenging her. “But could you make yourself follow through?”
    His sister was better at talking a mean game than playing one.
    She shrugged. “Don’t know, but if someone challenges me on it, I’ll pass out from the shock of it.” She motioned toward the picnic tables. “I’ll get your plate from the fridge. Go, find a seat.”
    He glanced at the beehive of family members. His exhaustion made his reclusive side tug on him more than usual. He just wanted peace and quiet.
    A knowing look flickered in Ariana’s eyes. “You’re fine. Eat with the family, survive their intrusiveness, and then you can disappear to your room.”
    She was right, and he sighed. “Fine, but I need a few minutes first.” He reached into his pocket and felt the folded money. “I hate to reward bossiness, but…” He took the cash from his pocket, kept enough money to pay his bills and a twenty for his date tomorrow night—because hamburgers and fries would do just fine—and held out the rest to her. “For you.”
    Ariana’s brow creased, a mixture of doubt and hope on her face. “The whole wad?”
    “Ya.”
    “Denki.” As she leafed through it, her eyes lit up. “Five hundred dollars. No way!” She tucked it into her apron pocket. “Overtime pay is quite profitable.” She punched his arm. “Look at you!”
    “Ouch! No beating me up over it.” He laughed. “You’ll get that café yet, Ari.”
    She nodded, but he saw uncertainty in her eyes. The window of time for her option to buy was closing. Even if they could get enough money to go to closing, she would need at