Page 49 of Unexpected Danger
“What’s that?”
“I had show and tell at the homeschool co-op yesterday.”
“How fun. I used to love show and tell. What did you share with the other students?”
“I think it’s time for Xander to go play,” said Brodie.
Xander’s brow crinkled. “Uncle Brodie, can I tell my story first?”
“Yeah, Uncle Brodie, can he tell his story first?” teased Roarke.
Brodie shook his head. “I suppose.”
Xander returned his attention to Londyn. “I shared about Uncle Brodie.”
“You mean that he’s the sheriff?”
“No. That he’s the loudest snorer in the whole wide world!” Xander opened his arms to illustrate his point.
Londyn laughed. “That he is.”
“Remember that one time on the mission trip?” asked Roarke.
“I don’t think anyone will forget that time,” added Aileen.
Brodie coughed. “Excuse me, but do we have to bring this up right now?”
“Why not?” asked Roarke.
Xander ran from the room and returned with a hand-held tape recorder. “Wanna listen to it, Aunt Londyn? I recorded it when he was on the couch last Sunday after church. Mom said he was snoring loudly enough for the neighbors to hear him.”
Brodie patted Xander on the head. “Considering the closest neighbors are you guys and then some about a mile away.”
“Uh-huh.” Xander pressed play, and an obnoxious sound, reminiscent of a booming chainsaw, infiltrated the room. The inhale was nearly as blustering as the exhale, and the predictable pattern was just as it had been that time on the mission trip.
“Good thing you were checked for sleep apnea,” offered Mila.
“Yeah, yeah. I don’t have sleep apnea.”
Xander pressed the stop button after torturing his listeners. “I have an idea, Uncle Bro.”
“What’s that, Xander?”
“When bad guys steal and hurt people and are put in jail, you could make them listen to this. They would promise never to be bad guys again.”
Everyone laughed except for Brodie, who looked slightly offended. “Very funny.” But Londyn could see he struggled to withhold a grin even as red dotted his cheeks. Brodie Brenneman was handsome all the time, even when he was embarrassed.
“How about we let Londyn go downstairs and rest?” suggested Aileen.
“Roarke, would you mind helping me unload her belongings from the SUV and the cargo trailer?”
“Sure.”
Londyn watched as the two men walked toward her vehicle, which was parked at the far end of the circular drive.
“Make yourself at home, sweetie. And let me know if you need anything.”
Aileen had always been so kind and comforting. “Thank you, I will.”
