Read Once Upon a Family for Free Online Page B

Peter asked Jacob.
    “A couple of my patients wanted me to.” Jacob lifted his shoulders in a shrug. “So I’m here. I’m painting the clinic so I decided to purchase a few teens to help me.”
    “Are you a doctor?” Laura didn’t have one for herchildren yet, and with her school employment she could now get insurance. It was another reason the job had been so attractive to her.
    “He’s the best pediatrician in Cimarron City,” Peter answered for his friend.
    Jacob chuckled. “I need to hire Peter. He’s the best publicist I could have.” His beeper went off. He checked it and added, “I’ve got to go. I’m on call. Nice to meet you, Laura.”
    “Ah, I see Nancy. She’s finished paying for her student. See you both later.” Noah made his way toward the front of the auditorium.
    “How far along are you with your plans for Stone’s Refuge?” Laura turned her attention to Peter, suddenly aware they were alone in the back, off to the side.
    “Other than roping those two into helping, not far. Did you mean it when you said you wanted to help? I could use a woman’s perspective since I want to reach both male and female students at risk. Our first meeting is this Saturday. Can you come?”
    “When?”
    “One.”
    “Sean’ll be at school. He’s working on a project for the FFA. I’ll have to check and see if Alexa can stay with the twins.”
    “Tell you what. Bring them. Alexa can have her second riding lesson.” Peter grinned. “Actually, why don’t we all ride after the planning meeting? My horses need to be ridden, and I could tell Joshua and Matthew were interested when you came to get the puppy.”
    “You make it hard to say no.”
    “That’s the point. I need help so I’m using everything at my disposal to persuade you. Is it working?”
    His teasing produced a lightness in her that she’d missed the past few years. For a brief moment she had forgotten all her worries. “Yes.”
     
    “So the lady you were with the other night at the auction is coming out here today to help us plan. Interesting. Do you have something to tell us?” Jacob took his seat at the dining room table in Peter’s house.
    Peter grinned. “I thought it was nice of her to want to help.”
    “I’m sure you did.” Noah came in from the kitchen and placed his mug on a notepad.
    Peter’s grip around his cup tightened. “Let’s get one thing straight before Laura comes. We are only friends. And we haven’t even been friends for long. So quit trying to make something out of nothing.”
    “I do believe you’re protesting too much. How many kids did you say she had?” Jacob asked with a chuckle.
    “Four.”
    “Ah.” Jacob lifted his mug to his lips to hide his smirk, but he wasn’t successful in masking his amusement.
    Peter narrowed his gaze on his so-called friend. “What’s that supposed to mean?”
    “I just find it interesting.”
    “Quit saying that word.” Peter wanted to chalk up his irritable mood to the fact he hadn’t slept for the past few nights. Plans for the refuge swirled around in his mind—along with images of Laura. But he knew whathis foster brother was getting at. “I’m the oldest. I should get some respect for that.” He glanced at his watch. She’s late.
    Noah slipped into a chair. “Sure, you’re nine months older than me and six with Jacob. That’s probably given you tons more wisdom.”
    “Have you met all her children?” Jacob finally drank some of his coffee.
    “Yes.”
    “And her oldest son is in trouble?”
    Jacob’s persistence reminded Peter of a pit bull he’d once taken in until he’d found it a home. “I don’t think Sean’s adjusting well to his father’s death or the move to Cimarron City.”
    “Interesting.”
    Peter brought the flat of his hand down on the table. “Stop right now. Yes, she has children. Yes, I always wanted to be a father. But there’s no correlation between those two facts.”
    “I think she sure is pretty.” Noah