Page 52 of An Unexpected Home

Chapter 13

“Leah!” Carly was yelling, running toward her at full speed. “We have to go right now.”

“What are you talking about?” Leah asked.

“The house was broken into and Mel was hurt.” Carly was on the verge of tears and Leah could tell she was barely holding it together.

“What do you mean Mel was hurt? Is it bad?” Her pulse quickened and her thoughts went straight to Will. Could this have been him?

“No, I don’t think she’s hurt badly but we still need to go.”

Trying to remain calm, she slowly glanced around for Brandon and asked, “What do we do about all these people?”

“Is everything okay girls?” A woman – actually the really nice woman who she had met at the market the other day – asked.

“Oh thank God, Aunt Alice.” Carly hugged her. Aunt Alice? Could this be Brandon’s mom?

“Mel is hurt and Leah and I need to go.”

“Brandon just texted me and said that everything is just fine but that you two were probably leaving. So go,” she said, “and I will handle everything here.”

“Leah let’s go,” Carly said, grabbing her hand.

“Do we know anything else?” Leah asked as they jumped in Carly’s car. She was still trying to stay calm because Carly was scared enough for both of them.

“Mel swears she’s okay but she was knocked out for several minutes.”

“And Brandon’s there?”

“Yeah, Logan called him after he found Mel.”

“Logan found Mel?” Leah was so confused. What was Mel even doing at the house and then why was Logan there?

At the house, they both darted out of the car and saw Brandon standing there talking to one of the EMT’s.

“Bran, is she really okay?” Carly ran up and hugged him.

“She is.” He hugged her back and looked over his shoulder at Leah. “She just has a bump on her head. Go see her.”

Carly ran up the porch and disappeared in the house and that was when Leah finally lost it.

“Oh my God,” she sobbed, tears cascading down her face. “This is my fault, isn’t it?”

He captured her in his arms and stroked her back. “I don’t know anything yet. Neither Melanie or Logan saw anything.”

“Why would he do this?” she said into his chest her tears dampening his shirt.

“I don’t know,” he said into her ear, “but I intend to find out.” He loosened his grip. “Go see Mel, she needs you.”

She nodded and walked up the steps to the house. His touch had given her strength and now she felt like she could take on the world.

Mel was sitting on the couch, Logan next to her holding her hand.

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