Common Enemy Read Free Page B

had a home cooked meal with a family. He hoped he would remember how to behave.
    “Mom always lets me say grace before we eat.” Lizzy’s little fingers closed around his and Jordan reached out for his other hand. As they touched he felt a skip in his heartbeat, he looked up to see Jordan’s eyes on his. Both of them looked away instantly. At the end of Lizzy’s childlike prayer she added, “Thank you for sending Connor to be our friend. Amen.”
    Lizzy did most of the talking during dinner. Connor responded to her with short answers, watching his plate. When the meal was over, he offered to help with the dishes.
    “I don’t have anything to do tonight but the dishes,” Jordan told him. “Please don’t take away my night’s entertainment. As a matter of fact, you could leave those clothes by the washing machine.”
    “I usually take them to the Laundromat in town on Sunday. I can’t have you washing my clothes. It wouldn’t be right. I work for you.”
    “You know I could be paying someone else a whole lot more to do the same work you’re doing. Don’t argue with me on this. I have to run that washing machine anyway. Your clothes won’t be any trouble. And, like you said, I’m the boss”.
    “Yes, ma’am.” Connor shrugged and tipped his hat before leaving.

Chapter Three
    The whole first week was filled with hard work. Jordan scrubbed down each and every room. Her grandmother’s clothes and personal items were donated to the church. Her papers were sorted and filed. It was a sentimental experience, pieces of her childhood hidden in every closet and corner. The trip down memory lane caused a rollercoaster of emotions. She’d laugh when she found little clay pots and crayon drawings from grade school. She’d cried when she found one of Gram’s earrings or lace handkerchiefs. Inside the bible was a picture of her grandparents looking into each other’s eyes on the day they were married. She wondered if she would ever feel the love she saw between the two of them.
    Jordan set the picture out where Lizzy could see it. Maybe someday it would bring her the luck that Jordan and her mother had never had. She propped the picture against the wall on the table at the end of the hall. The telephone by her hand rang and startled her.
    “Hello?”
    “Hello, Jordan. I just wanted to let you know I’m still watching.”
    “Why are you doing this? Who are you?”
    The line went dead.
    It was the same man who’d called before. It had to be a prank. Bobby Ray was still behind bars. He had no idea where she was.
    Maybe it was a kid with a mature voice, but how did he know her name? Her number wasn’t published. Maybe it was someone she’d known in school. She scanned her memories to come up with anyone who’d given her a hard time back then, but couldn’t think of a single person.
    The only people who had her number were Mr. Coleman and Holly. Mr. Coleman was a private person. He’d rather die than give anyone information about her. She’d ask Holly after her friend got off work tonight. When she found out who was harassing her, they’d have hell to pay.
    ****
    Now that the car was finished, Connor set to work on the lawn. He was afraid of the creatures that could be concealed under the tall weeds and debris. Lizzy needed a safe place to play. This part of Florida could hide snakes, rats, and even small alligators. The trees and shrubs were cut back and shaped. The flowerbeds were edged and filled with colorful annuals. Already it was starting to look brighter. He couldn’t resist hanging a wood plank swing from the magnolia tree in the back yard.
    Jordan and Connor stayed to themselves until dinnertime when Lizzy insisted he eat with them. He and Jordan were quietly polite to each other. Both enjoyed Lizzy’s animated tales of her daily adventures.
    After helping him carry a sofa out to the lawn on Friday morning, Jordan flopped down on it exasperated. “I don’t know how I’m going to get all of this