Dead Woman Crossing J.R. Adler (early reader chapter books txt) 📖

know deep down I didn’t even need his confession. I knew he did it as soon as I saw the phone and the gun. I just didn’t want to believe it.”

Kimberley’s lip trembled. She wanted her mother in her life, but how could she trust her around Jessica? Would she do the same thing again? Stand by a man that broke her. She had before.

“I know I screwed up. I can’t explain why I did what I did. But I’ll be better. I’m getting help. I’m getting out of this cycle I’ve been in my whole life.”

Kimberley stared at her mother carefully. She looked different than she did a few days ago. Her face was a little fuller and brighter. The dark circles under her eyes had faded slightly. Her hair was combed. She had even applied makeup, which was now tear streaked with black mascara running down her cheeks. She looked as though she had eaten, she had slept, she had changed. Like she was clean from her addiction, David, and before him, Kimberley’s father. Nicole had an affinity to damaged men.

“I love you so much, and I never want to lose you or Jessica. You two are my whole life.”

Tears streaked Kimberley’s cheeks too. For over thirty years, this was all she had ever wanted out of her mom: strength.

“I love you too, Mom,” Kimberley said, walking toward her with open arms. They cried into each other’s shoulders, holding one another tight. The embrace lasted longer than all of their hugs over their lifetime combined. Kimberley knew there was now a fracture in their relationship, and she hoped over time it would mend. But deep down, Kimberley knew it was only a matter of time before Nicole would need her fix again.

“Wuv you,” Jessica said, giggling in her chair.

Kimberley and Nicole turned back to Jessica and laughed, wiping the tears from their eyes.

“Such a smart girl,” they said at the same time. They smiled at Jessica and then at one another.

Kimberley glanced at her watch. “Oh, I’m going to be late.”

“You’re going to work?” Nicole immediately started tidying the kitchen up.

“Yeah, of course.”

“Oh… I can take Jessica to daycare if you’d like.” There was a plea in her mother’s eyes.

Kimberley grabbed her messenger bag from beside the counter. “Why don’t you keep her home and spend the day together?”

Nicole’s eyes lit up and a smile spread across her face. “I would love that.”

Kimberley nodded, saying goodbye to Nicole and Jessica. She closed the door to the cottage and walked up the rock-lined path to where her Ford Explorer was parked. She opened the car door and tossed her messenger bag across the driver’s seat into the passenger’s seat.

“Hey,” Emily called out. She was standing on the large white wraparound porch, wearing blue jeans and a T-shirt.

Kimberley stepped out from behind her car door and took a couple of steps toward the house. “Hey.”

Emily put her hands on her hip and glanced off into the wheat fields for a moment. She looked back at Kimberley. They hadn’t spoken at all since the day David was wheeled away in a stretcher. She was fully anticipating that Emily would yell at her, tell her she needed to move off their property, that she wasn’t welcome there. She thought she’d call Kimberley every name in the book, blame her for what happened to her family not once, but now twice.

“Do you wanna come over for drinks tonight?” Emily asked.

An olive branch had been extended.

“Yeah, I’d like that,” Kimberley said with a nod.

Emily gave a small smile and disappeared back into the house.

“I’m so happy to see you,” Barb said, standing up from her desk. She walked around it, carrying a pink gift bag.

“Hey, Barb.”

“Some of the guys had bets on when you’d be back in the office.”

“Oh yeah?” Kimberley cocked her head.

“Yeah, they clearly don’t know you that well. Sam and I said you’d be back today. The rest of them bums said you’d take a week off.”

“Glad I could be here to prove them wrong.” Kimberley smiled.

“I got your daughter something,” Barb said, holding out the bag. “Look inside.” She grinned.

Kimberley reached her hand in and pulled out a gray crocheted stuffed elephant, with tan yarn to accent the ears and feet, pink yarn for rosy cheeks and white yarn for tusks and toenails.

“I heard what happened to her other stuffy, so I spent the weekend making this one for her.”

Kimberley’s eyes moistened. It was the nicest thing anyone had ever done for her or her daughter. Without saying a word, she wrapped her arms around Barbara.

“You’re welcome,” Barb said. “Now get to work.” She was smiling as she walked back to her desk. “By the way, there’s coffee and fresh-baked cookies on your desk.”

Kimberley smiled and thanked her.

As soon as she entered the main office area, clapping ensued. The deputies rose from their desks, breaking out into applause. Kimberley nodded and flicked her wrist, her way of saying it wasn’t a big deal. They whistled and hollered. Sam emerged from his office, joining in. His hands thundering together.

“Alright. Back to work, everyone. Hill, go ahead and give Barb my winnings too.”

Deputy Hill nodded.

“Yeah, yeah, yeah, I heard you all bet against me.” Kimberley shook her head.

“Burns said you got thrown through a wall. Shit, I would have taken two weeks off,” Deputy Bearfield said.

“I didn’t say ‘through,’ I said ‘at.’”

“Did her body break part of the wall?” Bear asked.

“Yeah.”

“Then you got thrown through a fuckin’ wall. Anyway, you’re tough for—”

“What? A girl,” Kimberley cut him off, cocking her head.

“No, I was going to say, you’re tough for coming back so quick. We’re all real proud of you.” Bearfield smiled.

Kimberley nodded her approval. “Thank you.”

“Come on, Detective.” Sam beckoned her into his office.

She quickly went into her office, dropping off her gift bag and messenger bag. Kimberley picked up the coffee and the plate that contained two large chocolate chip cookies.

Sam was seated at his desk when Kimberley entered. She sat down