A Promise for Her Love by Elaina Lee Page B

can come out," he offered. He grabbed an apple from the basket and then proceeded to roll it between in his hands. "He knows how to get into cars and stuff."
    "You mean he's a car thief? You're hanging out with thieves?" Alarm made her chest tighten, but she'd learned long ago not to freak out. The teenage emotional scale was sensitive to others. The slightest variation could have disastrous consequences. So she tried to act concerned, yet disapproving.
    "Not really hang out... we're just friends. But I know he'd do it."
    For a split second, she actually considered his offer. Free and probably more professional than someone she'd pay. But then she'd be giving a troubled teen validation and experience he didn't need. She shook her head and unloaded boxes of noodles and rice into the cupboard. "No, that's not right or okay. We'll just have to make do."
    "Come on, you know we can't ride the bus for two weeks. That's hours of wasted time."
    "It's the perfect opportunity for you to get caught up on your work. You'll have nothing better to do, will you?"
    "And what about your work? You don't have hours to throw away."
    "I don't do that work for pay but for hobby. I can take the lost time."
    "You should do it for pay, Caylie, you're so good!"
    She shook her head and folded the bag down. "I couldn't. That's my heart and soul in those sculptures. I couldn't stand for someone to hate them or to even place a value on them."
    "I've looked... you could get over three hundred for each."
    For each little dragon, gnome or fairy she could get almost as much as she made in a week? She blinked. "Where did you see that?"
    He leaned forward, and the apple stopped rolling. "I did a search. There are a ton of people selling those types of things and none even come close to how good yours are. They look real, like they'll come to life if you stare at them long enough. All these people—" He blew a raspberry. "I've seen cartoon drawings that looked better. And they were selling as fast as they could post them on the sites."
    "For three hundred dollars?"
    "Yep, which means you could charge more if you wanted."
    Caylie chewed her lip. "I'll think about it, okay?"
    He hopped off the stool so fast she jumped, her hand flew to her chest. "I have something for you."
    "For me? What?"
    He flashed a grin, one that showed her why he was always single with a different girl on his arm each week. "I'll go get it, just wait here."
    As she waited, she didn't know whether to be excited or concerned. The last time Kyle gave her a 'gift', she'd had to feed and potty train it until she found the critter a home. Something she still carried guilt over. And while she could have afforded to feed the cat, kitty litter, shots and inevitable vet bills were a different story. Hopefully this present didn't breathe.
    ***
    With the latest stack of bills piled before her, Caylie ripped into each envelope while waiting for her brother. What was he doing up there? Wrapping whatever he'd gotten for her? She sure hoped not. Where did he get the money anyhow? Gnawing on her lip, she wondered if maybe she shouldn't go up and check on him, and get a peek at this 'present'.
    Another five minutes passed and all the bills were opened and sorted before her. She tapped her fingers on the counter. Yep, time to go up and make sure everything was okay. A faint thump followed by a curse had her rushing up the stairs.
    "Kyle, is everything all right?"
    "Uh, yeah, everything's okay! Just gonna be another sec!"
    Caylie paused, hand on the wall, before venturing down the hall towards his room. "Just come out with it, you didn't have to get me anything to begin with."
    "I will, I just... I'm trying to figure something out," his muffled voice sounded.
    She pushed her ear against the door and tried to make out any other discernable noises. "Shouldn't I figure out my own gift?"
    Some shuffling sounded and she quickly jumped away from the door, placing her hands behind her back. He opened the door, a