Jane's Gift Read Online Free Page A

children. Patient with all of us, really,” Jane finally answered. She felt her mother’s gaze and tilted her head, looking directly at her. “Mac suggested going to the fire station to help ease the children’s fear of fire.”
    “Do you think it helped?” Lydia asked.
    Jane shrugged, played with the edge of the paper napkin that sat in front of her on the kitchen table. “I hope so.”
    “They freaked out when I suggested lighting a fire at Jane’s house last week,” Mac explained.
    “Well, of course they did.” Lydia looked pointedly at her youngest son, then at Jane.
    Her stomach lurched. She sometimes wondered if their phobia had grown because she was really the one with the issue. “I’m trying to help them get over their fears. And so far, it seems to be working.” She was so thankful for that. They’d taken to the captain, to the station, and especially to the truck.
    How she’d escaped the fire, she still didn’t remember. It had all happened so fast. She remembered going with Stephen to help the children. Remembered going back inside to grab her purse, of all things. But how had she gotten out? Why had she lived and Stephen hadn’t?
    She didn’t talk much about her husband’s passing. It was her cross to bear, one she rarely shared with anyone else. Had found it too hard to comprehend those first few months when she’d been brought back to reality, and then once more time had passed, she’d found it too hard to bring him up.
    So she just avoided it. Baby steps , she told herself. It was all she could do.
    But it didn’t feel like enough.
    “Well, I’m glad it’s helping, but I can understand why they’re so fearful. Fire killed their father and damaged their mother,” Lydia said in that familiar tone of voice that brooked no argument.
    And Jane certainly didn’t feel like arguing with her, not today. She’d come over to her parents’ house for breakfast, and now, she already wanted to escape. The weather was gorgeous, a perfect fall morning with crisp, clear skies and a slight breeze that brought with it the first hints of winter. There was a cold edge in the wind that would soon turn downright painful in the coming months when snow and freezing temperatures accompanied it.
    “I really don’t want to talk about this.” Jane pushed her chair away from the table and stood, as did her brother. “I think I’ll head back home. Thanks for breakfast, Mom. Tell Dad hello when he calls.” He was out of town for business—hence her mom’s invitation for breakfast. Lydia got lonely without anyone around to take care of.
    “Jane, if you don’t talk about it now, when will you?” The frown of concern on her mother’s face spoke volumes, but Jane didn’t want to ruin her Saturday with a depressing discussion about death and loss and moving on. It had been almost two years since the fire. She’d rather focus on the present, not dwell on the past.
    She just wanted to walk back to the house while she pushed Sophia in her stroller and enjoy the weather. Maybe stop by the little corner store on the way and pick up a few necessities to take them through the rest of the weekend. Pull out her camera and take photos of the kids this afternoon playing in the backyard. Normal, everyday stuff.
    That’s what she needed right now—and so did her kids. More than anything.
    “Some other time, Mom.” She bent, pressed a quick kiss to her mother’s soft cheek. “I appreciate your concern. Love you.”
    “You want me to drive you home?” Her brother looked a little lost, as if he didn’t want to be left alone with Mom, but Jane shook her head.
    “No, it’s okay. The walk will do us good. ’Bye.”
    She went into the living room and gathered her little family, donning coats and putting on shoes in a flurry. Panic clawed at her, making her anxious, needy to get the heck out of her parents’ suddenly oppressive house. She fled out the front door, slamming it behind her with a loud bang . She