The Dead of Winter (Seasons of Jefferson: Book 2) by Julie Solano, Tracy Justice Page A
Authors: Julie Solano, Tracy Justice
Ads: Link
fresh air. Anyone up for a drive?” I knew I could count on her . She turns her back to our parents, discreetly gesturing to Kaitlyn and the others that I need to be alone. I breathe a sigh of relief that she’s recognized my anguish.
Brody stands slowly, stretching his arms over his head. After the exaggerated stretch, he reaches for Kaitlyn’s hand and pulls her to her feet. “We’re going to grab a bite to eat before heading back over to the valley to decorate for Christmas. Who’s coming?”
Mason stands up quickly and says, “I’m in. I want to help with the grandparents’ tree.”
Thankfully Jenna turns down the offer. “I have a few errands to run. Caden, it looks like you have a choice to make. Do you want to go play Santa’s elf or stay here with me?
How am I going to get her to take me to Peyton’s?
“No icy, winding hills for me today. I’m staying with you. I have a few errands of my own. Do you mind driving?”
“Only if you don’t mind dropping by the bank to take care of my missing debit card.”
That catches Cinda’s attention, “What did you say?”
“Oh, Mom, sorry I didn’t tell you. I kinda misplaced my wallet.” She looks down, shuffling her feet, “I’ve been looking for it since the trip to the cabins, but…”
Mr. Bailey leans forward, scowling at Jenna through his heavily wrinkled brow, “Why didn’t you say something earlier, young lady? We’ve been back for nearly two weeks.” He shakes his head as his voice becomes increasingly scornful. “How could you blow that off for so long, especially when I’m the one responsible for that account?”
“Dad,” Jenna retorts, “I was hoping it’d show up when we got home. You know, maybe find it under my car seat or stuffed in someone’s bag. I swore I never took it out of my suitcase the whole time we were on vacation. I didn’t mean to lose it, I swear.”
Mr. Bailey starts in again, “You need to be more responsible with your stuff. Last week it was your locket and now this?”
Jenna’s face melts into a frown as she bows her head in defeat. Dead silence fills the air.
“Why did you have to bring that up? You know how much that locket meant to her.” Cinda stands up and moves toward Jenna, pulling her into a hug. She sets her head down on top of Jenna’s, scowling at Mr. Bailey, “We’ll find it, don’t worry.”
“You’re right, I’m sorry. I’m just so damned frustrated with all of the irresponsible behavior. Jenna, the next time something as important as a wallet comes up missing, you need to let your mother and me know. Now, get down to the bank before it closes. Have them run a report on any activity in the last two weeks. You’d better hope that wallet is wadded up in your dirty clothes somewhere,” he shakes his head. “Go, now. We’ll discuss this later.”
I’ve never seen Jenna look so worried. I kind of feel bad for her. Her dad was really tough considering all she’s been through the past two weeks. Maybe he’s reached his breaking point with all of this. I’ve got to try and smooth things over for her. After all, she was just trying to help me get out of the house. “I’ll make sure we get to the bank right away.” I nod toward the adults in the room and grab her by the hand, “Mom, Dad, I’ll be back in a while. Let’s go, buddy. Your dad is right. We need to look into that debit card immediately.”
Quickly, we run out of the house before her dad starts in again. Jenna can’t get the car door opened and closed fast enough. I can tell she’s beyond upset. She’s not saying much, but she can’t even start the car. This must be bothering her more than she’s letting on. She tries to stick the key in the ignition, but her trembling hand is fumbling for the keyhole. I lean over, holding her hand in mine, and help her start the car. “Settle down, girl. I’m sure he didn’t mean to jump on you like that. This is just a lot for our parents to take in.”
“I
Brody stands slowly, stretching his arms over his head. After the exaggerated stretch, he reaches for Kaitlyn’s hand and pulls her to her feet. “We’re going to grab a bite to eat before heading back over to the valley to decorate for Christmas. Who’s coming?”
Mason stands up quickly and says, “I’m in. I want to help with the grandparents’ tree.”
Thankfully Jenna turns down the offer. “I have a few errands to run. Caden, it looks like you have a choice to make. Do you want to go play Santa’s elf or stay here with me?
How am I going to get her to take me to Peyton’s?
“No icy, winding hills for me today. I’m staying with you. I have a few errands of my own. Do you mind driving?”
“Only if you don’t mind dropping by the bank to take care of my missing debit card.”
That catches Cinda’s attention, “What did you say?”
“Oh, Mom, sorry I didn’t tell you. I kinda misplaced my wallet.” She looks down, shuffling her feet, “I’ve been looking for it since the trip to the cabins, but…”
Mr. Bailey leans forward, scowling at Jenna through his heavily wrinkled brow, “Why didn’t you say something earlier, young lady? We’ve been back for nearly two weeks.” He shakes his head as his voice becomes increasingly scornful. “How could you blow that off for so long, especially when I’m the one responsible for that account?”
“Dad,” Jenna retorts, “I was hoping it’d show up when we got home. You know, maybe find it under my car seat or stuffed in someone’s bag. I swore I never took it out of my suitcase the whole time we were on vacation. I didn’t mean to lose it, I swear.”
Mr. Bailey starts in again, “You need to be more responsible with your stuff. Last week it was your locket and now this?”
Jenna’s face melts into a frown as she bows her head in defeat. Dead silence fills the air.
“Why did you have to bring that up? You know how much that locket meant to her.” Cinda stands up and moves toward Jenna, pulling her into a hug. She sets her head down on top of Jenna’s, scowling at Mr. Bailey, “We’ll find it, don’t worry.”
“You’re right, I’m sorry. I’m just so damned frustrated with all of the irresponsible behavior. Jenna, the next time something as important as a wallet comes up missing, you need to let your mother and me know. Now, get down to the bank before it closes. Have them run a report on any activity in the last two weeks. You’d better hope that wallet is wadded up in your dirty clothes somewhere,” he shakes his head. “Go, now. We’ll discuss this later.”
I’ve never seen Jenna look so worried. I kind of feel bad for her. Her dad was really tough considering all she’s been through the past two weeks. Maybe he’s reached his breaking point with all of this. I’ve got to try and smooth things over for her. After all, she was just trying to help me get out of the house. “I’ll make sure we get to the bank right away.” I nod toward the adults in the room and grab her by the hand, “Mom, Dad, I’ll be back in a while. Let’s go, buddy. Your dad is right. We need to look into that debit card immediately.”
Quickly, we run out of the house before her dad starts in again. Jenna can’t get the car door opened and closed fast enough. I can tell she’s beyond upset. She’s not saying much, but she can’t even start the car. This must be bothering her more than she’s letting on. She tries to stick the key in the ignition, but her trembling hand is fumbling for the keyhole. I lean over, holding her hand in mine, and help her start the car. “Settle down, girl. I’m sure he didn’t mean to jump on you like that. This is just a lot for our parents to take in.”
“I
Similar Books
