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extravagance so the crypt wouldn’t catch fire again.
    Thank God he’d installed extinguishers.
    Heather emerged from the house. “Thanks for everything.”
    “Honey, you brought the food and did dishes.”
    “I really had fun.” She twisted long strands of hair between her thumb and index finger.
    He squeezed her shoulder before walking toward the house. “Then make sure you’re not a stranger.” Out of the corner of his eye, he saw Corey race to catch her. He called out, “I’ll walk her home.” You do that. Walk her all the way. He laughed, knowing he’d given Corey the excuse through years of lectures. Never let a kid younger than you get 31

    Kathleen Lash

    home alone in the dark. Never let a girl do it either. If they were at our house, they get home safe. Maybe Corey did more listening than he imagined. Maybe his younger brother didn’t hate him as much as he’d come to believe.
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    Whisper

Chapter Four
    Whisper couldn’t ever remember being happier.
    For once, her efforts actually did some good and she could see the fruits of her labor. The five-bedroom, three bath, large older home sparkled. Chores were kept current. She loved cooking and the Manchesters appreciated it. As she washed dinner dishes, she smiled. She’d never been involved in such an organized catastrophe. With the house clean, laundry done and the kids doing homework, she felt as if she belonged to a family. After a few months of the pleasant routine, she almost never thought about her past.
    A few hours from then, she could go to work, blank out what happened, and return to get Heather. Mark chaperoned Heather and Corey without complaint. He’d told her one more kid hanging around wasn’t a burden at all. She believed him. Billy wandered into the kitchen with a forlorn expression. Whisper wiped her hands on the dish towel and squatted in front of him. “Well, little man, what’s that long face all about?”
    “Keith didn’t call last night,” he replied.
    “I bet I know what happened to him.”
    “You do?”
    “Sure I do. He worked so hard the night before, he fell asleep after having a big meal and woke up late.” She gave her most reassuring smile. In a strange way, she felt she knew Keith through the children.
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    Kathleen Lash

    Billy shook his head. “He doesn’t sleep late, and he always calls me.”
    Mark stood in the doorway with a similar worried expression. She held Mark’s gaze and took Billy into her arms as she knelt in front of him.
    Stroking his soft, long blond hair, she said, “Hush now, little one, your brother’s just fine. Even a big man like him can get real bone tired.” Billy slumped against her and gave a too tight embrace. He was like a Great Dane puppy, all clumsiness and unknowing of his strength. “He could’ve got into an accident. It’s snowing and he could’ve slipped off the road into a ditch. Could be trapped and starving.”
    “Oh, honey,” she stroked his back, grateful he loosened his hold, “there’s no snow where he’s at.”
    “You sure?”
    “Well sure, I’m sure. He’s not too far off from where I grew up.”
    Mark’s eyebrows rose. She’d been careful not to relay much of a personal nature, not even simple things. She’d cautioned Heather and believed she hadn’t told Corey about their background. A lot rode on their past staying out of their futures.
    “You grow up in Texas?” Billy asked.
    “Yeah, I did. That’s why I talk funny.” Billy pulled back and put his hands on her face.
    He kissed her forehead before wrapping his arms around her neck. He could be very affectionate. “I didn’t mean what I said about you talking funny. I just never heard someone with a accent.”
    “You never heard someone with an accent, Billy.
    Remember the rule?”
    “Sure. I forgot. But you don’t talk funny. It sounds right now.” He shifted the conversation. “It doesn’t snow in Texas?” His little mind moved quickly and his topic changes were just as