The Daily Novel

Chapter 26
The next few weeks before Christmas were exhausting for Lauren. Between dealing with her insurance company, replenishing the wardrobes lost in the fire, and helping out with Cathy, she found scant time for rest.
Cathy moved around the house on crutches. Her face, though still swollen, was healing with only faint scars. Nothing makeup would [...]

Chapter 24
Thanks to an overabundance of beer the previous night, the man arrived later than usual to Lauren’s street. His throat grated, raw from cigarettes. He lit another.
Lauren and Cathy would already be on their way to work, he knew—never suspecting what lay ahead for Jennifer. The girl would still be preparing for school. He [...]

Chapter 22
As Ben made rounds, checking patient charts, ordering new tests and medications, or signing release forms for those well enough to go home, he found himself preoccupied with Lauren. On the surface, her rebuff for lunch could be, as she said, because she was tired. But on a deeper level, he felt her old [...]

Chapter 18
Ten minutes into their drive, Lauren sighed heavily, wondering what favor Cathy wanted now.
“Something bothering you, Lauren?” Ben asked.
“No. I’m fine.” Another sigh.
“Ouch. I’ve found that when women say they’re ‘fine’, it usually means they aren’t.”
“Really, I’m—”
Ben interrupted her. “There are walls of stone and steel, walls of wood and brick, there are also [...]

Chapter Five
Cathy nudged Jennifer. “Wake up, honey. We have another transfer.”
Jennifer groaned. “How much longer before we get to Weatherly?”
“Another nine hours. Tired?”
The girl nodded sleepily.
“There’s an hour layover here. We’ll get some breakfast and you can stretch your legs.”
“Mom, do you think Cathy will like me?” Jennifer asked out of the blue.
Cathy brushed her [...]