Common Enemy Read Free

remembered that she hadn’t called Holly to give her the new number. She hadn’t called anyone.
    “Hello?”
    “Are you and your little girl all settled in, Jordan?” a low male voice asked.
    “Who is this?” Jordan’s heart started pounding so hard her chest ached.
    “I’ll be watching you,” the man added. “I wouldn’t get too comfortable if I were you.”
    When the dial tone indicated the caller had hung up, she lowered the receiver back onto its cradle with a shaky hand. Bobby Ray was still in prison. It had only been a horrible joke. She had to believe that or go back to the insanity of her past.
    From the bottom of the stairs she saw movement on the front porch. Then she heard the sound of Lizzy’s voice. Lizzy was outside with someone! Fear tightened in her stomach as she took the steps two at a time. She found Lizzy and Connor sitting in the old rocking chairs. On an upturned crate were a quart of milk and a box of donuts.
    “What’s going on out here? You can’t just abduct my daughter and give her this-this junk food.” Jordan scowled.
    “She came to me,” Connor stated. “She said you didn’t have any milk. I figured, as long as I was going to town anyway, I’d load her up with sugar, too, just to keep you on your toes. I also got the parts for your car so stop being so grumpy.” He looked down at Lizzy. “Jeez, does she always wake up like that?”
    “No. Sometimes she doesn’t even wait to get dressed.” Lizzy giggled with chocolate-coated lips.
    “I don’t need you two ganging up on me this early. I’ll talk to you after I’ve had a cup of coffee.” She brushed back the hair that had fallen into her eyes.
    “Are you okay?” Connor asked. “You’re shaking like a leaf.”
    “Of course I’m okay. It just scared me when I woke and found my five-year-old daughter outside.” She gripped Lizzy’s hand and pulled her to the door. “Don’t ever do that again, young lady. From now on you’re to wake me before you go downstairs.”
    “I’m sorry, Mommy,” Lizzy cried.
    An hour later, Jordan had calmed her ragged nerves. She walked out to the porch to find Conner was sitting in the same chair as before with a cup of coffee and a notepad in his hand.
    “Are you ready to give me the bad news?” she asked.
    ****
    “It’s not as bad as it looks.” He snuck a nervous glance her way. “The house is sound, good foundation, plumbing, wiring, and roof. I didn’t find any infestation or mold, which is amazing in this area, especially after the house has been closed up for so long. It needs work, but actually, your car is in worse shape than the house. Your water pump is shot and the hoses look like they could split at any moment. I’ll have to replace the antifreeze, too. You shouldn’t drive it until I’m finished. You’d be stranded on the side of the road. I guess that should be the first thing I work on.”
    “I need the car, living way out here. I’ll give you the money for the parts you bought. Can you pick up some groceries in town before you get started? I just have a short list.”
    “I guess I can do anything you like if I’m working for you.” He peeked out from under the brim of his hat again.
    “But, you haven’t told me what the house needs yet.”
    “You need new caulking around the windows, new paint inside and out. A good chimney sweep, repairs on the existing shingles and shutters, better locks on the doors, a security system—”
    “Hold up a minute. A security system? This is our home, not a fortress.”
    “Welcome to the twenty-first century,” he laughed. “If you were to have any trouble out here, who would know? I really think it’s something you should consider. I bet half the people in town know you live here alone. I don’t imagine you have gossips in a town this size, do you? Besides that, it would let you know if Lizzy escapes again.”
    Her brow furrowed with indecision, but she hung on to her tough stubbornness…just