03 The Long Road Home Read Free Page B

riding in trucks, why had she stared at them as if transfixed, Matt wondered.  He was quite sure he hadn't imagined the stunned expression on her face, or the dazed look in her eyes.  Her aunt had mentioned once that Timmy's and Margaret's parents had been killed when their father had had a heart attack behind the wheel of his truck and the rig had run off the road.  Had being here raised the ghost of the past for Margaret Browning?
    "Mr. Magnum," called a voice from the door of his office.  "Tom Camden of T.C. Trucking wants to talk to you.  He's holding on line one."
    "Be right there."  Matt shrugged.  He had plenty to do other than psychoanalyze Tim Browning's sister.
    "Let me know if you need extra time off while she's here."
    "Yes, sir."
    "Hi, sis!  You didn't have to wait up for me."  Timmy said as he entered the garden and found her sitting on the old swing.
    Margaret smiled affectionately.  "I thought we might talk."
    "I'll grab a soda and be right back."
    Waiting for him to come back from a date or a jaunt with his friends was a habit.  Yesterday, her first night back, Margaret had fallen asleep early but today she had decided to wait for Timmy. 
    She and Timmy often sat on the swing, talking late into the night.  Here they didn't have to worry about disturbing Aunt Jan, who rose at five every morning.  The garden, with its familiar scents and shadows, was a good place for exchanging secrets.  The old swing creaked as it moved in the silent night; its familiar rhythm comforting.
    Margaret let her thoughts drift.  Her goals were still the same as always.
    She wanted to see Timmy through college, ensure the Inner Man was at a stage where Aunt Jan had little else to do but supervise, before she could think of herself.  Marriage, not that there were a heap of men fighting over her; was last on her list.  Why Matt Magnum’s angry face should flash into her mind, made no sense at all.
    Timmy came out through the kitchen door, sat down opposite her and took a big gulp from the can in his hand.  "So, what did you do today, sis?"
    "I slept for most of the day, then unpacked, and generally lazed around."
    The rectangle of yellow light that shone out of the kitchen made it easy to notice Timmy's expression was carefully noncommittal.  He ran his fingers through his hair, and she tensed.  He only did that when he felt awkward.
    "I thought we'd catch up on all the news," Margaret said with a smile. 
    "There isn't much to talk about." 
    Panic clutched at her.  When had this close-mouthed stranger taken the place of her talkative brother?  Aunt Jan always said she, Margaret, was the introvert in the family, Timmy the extrovert.  To listen to him now, no one would suspect it. 
    "Are you planning to stay all summer?"  Was it her imagination, or was there a sudden wariness to Timmy's tone?
    "Yes." 
    Margaret had made the decision on the spur of the moment after the last time she had talked to Aunt Jan.  Timmy, Aunt Jan had told her, planned to work through the summer.  She herself wouldn't be able to come out to Washington this year because of lack of experienced help at the restaurant.  Aunt Jan had sounded unlike herself, tired and dispirited, and Margaret had made up her mind to return to Inchwater and help her. 
    Aunt Jan had been thrilled by her decision.  If Margaret's decision had the same effect on Timmy, he did an excellent job of not showing it.  Keeping the smile on her face with difficulty, Margaret asked, "How do you like your new job?" 
    Timmy's face lit up.  "Mr. Magnum's cool.  He doesn't swear like Dan did; plus, he's giving me a dollar an hour more."
    "That's great."  Margaret's voice sounded hollow in her ears. 
    "How are things in Washington?"  Timmy asked.
    "Great."  Why had she never realized before what an inane word it was.
    "Do you have a part-time job lined up in Garrison for the summer?"  Timmy asked.
    "No."  The Edward Institute could not afford to pay teachers