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“Don’t look at me, Lori, I’m fine living in this house with Mom and Dad and Ben. I’d be too nervous living way over there alone,” Maggie said with a smile.

“Well there you go, honey. It’s yours if you want it when we’re done,” Lou added and Lori was excited.

“Can I check it out tomorrow? Who’s building it with you?” Lori asked.

“Yes, you can check it out tomorrow, and Phil Henley, our neighbor along with his sons are helping me.”

“Maggie said your wrist and arm were bothering you. I’m going to call Dr. Henley tomorrow and see if I can get you an appointment with him. He’s our neighbor’s son as well,” stated Diana.

“It doesn’t hurt that badly, Mom. I’ll get around to making an appointment.” Lori tried to argue with her mother but there was no use. By the time she woke up in the morning an appointment would be set.

They all sat on the porch a little longer talking about the town and some of their parents’ friends. They were invited to a barbeque this upcoming weekend and the girls and Ben were invited as well. Diana hoped that she could bring some normalcy into their lives and get to know her daughters quickly and with ease. But something told her that it wouldn’t be so easy.

* * * *

Business District, Houston, Texas

“I’m telling you right now, Don, that land up there in Valley Stream is calling to me,” Jerry Connor stated as he paced back and forth in his office. “I want it and I don’t care who owns it. That location someday will be worth millions. We’ve already seen the prices rise.”

“Well I don’t know what to tell you, Jerry, but Old Man Cantrell doesn’t want to sell to you. He’d rather sell off that land bit by bit if necessary and he’s already started.”

“Well he doesn’t know who he’s messing with. I have a plan and he won’t know who he’s selling the land to. If all goes well, I’ll own all that land and within the next ten years or less, we’ll be sitting pretty, partner. I don’t care if I have to buy it up piece by piece. I’m going to own that land.”

Jerry was determined, and Don knew when his partner got like this, there was no stopping him. He worried about just how far Jerry would go and to what measures to get what he wanted.

Chapter 3

Sure enough when Lori walked downstairs after her jog and shower this morning, her mom had made an appointment with Dr. Henley in town.

“Your appointment’s in a half hour. He had a cancellation and was happy to oblige. Did you bring your file from the hospital with you along with the X-rays?” Diana asked as she cleaned up the dishes from breakfast.

“No, I don’t have them. The doctor from the hospital said I could have whomever I see here in town send for them. That won’t be a problem.” Lori sighed and poured herself a cup of coffee. She hadn’t gotten a good night’s sleep, and hoped the nightmares she kept having would disappear as soon as possible. She figured being in a strange place was the culprit and that things should improve.

Her mom left the room to switch the load of wash in the laundry room and Maggie entered the kitchen from the back porch.

“How was your jog?”

“Pretty good. I’ll have to figure out a better route tomorrow because the terrain and dirt roads are going to do a number on my shin splints.”

“Mom said from here to town is four miles and paved roadways.”

“That’s good to know. I’ll probably try that tomorrow.”

“How did you sleep last night?” Maggie asked her sister. She hoped that Maggie hadn’t heard Lori jump up out of bed and pace back and forth in her room.

“Fine. How about you and Ben?”

“Ben was snoring away until he heard you and Dad get up this morning. After you left, he got up, dressed himself, and went downstairs to help Dad with the morning chores. He’s been on the swing set in between.”

“That’s great. I’m glad he’s easing right into things,” Lori said as she looked at her sister. “Why are you looking at me like that?”

“The squeaky hardwood floors never lie, sis. Are you still having those nightmares?”

Lori knew there was no use in denying it her sister. They knew each other way too well.

“I’m sure once things settle down and I get into a routine I’ll be fine, so don’t worry and don’t say anything to Mom or Dad, okay?”

“Don’t tell me what?” their dad asked as he walked in on the conversation.