Read Online A Lonely Sky by Linda Schmalz - Free Book Online Page A

but no answer.”
    Deirdre sighed, already weary of this fiasco of a party. “He’s not coming. He’s in Germany.” Now go away .
    Spencer raised pale eyebrows in surprise. “Germany?  What the devil is he doing there?”
    Deirdre tried to keep her voice even. She would not let him know how Sam’s absence affected her. “On holiday.”
    “Without you ?” Spencer moved towards the settee, his eyes twinkling with his usual mischief. “May I join you on the settee?” Even his mock politeness offended her. She knew Spencer Budacker well enough to know how he toyed.
    “No.”
    He sat anyhow. “I thought tonight was the big night. You know, the engagement .”
    Deirdre shifted in her seat. How dare he sit so close to her. “Well, it’s been delayed. Sam ran into a friend in Germany and chose to stay on.”
    Spencer’s feigned shock was not lost on Deirdre. “Really?  A friend?  What a coincidence, hey love?  I’ve known Sammy most of my life and never knew he had friends in Germany. You think he might have mentioned that once or twice.”
    Deirdre rose. “I need to get back to the party. I have guests to greet.”
    Spencer stood and blocked her path to the door.
    Oh for Heaven’s Sake!
    He reached for her hand. “I’ll go with you, Dee. I can be your escort for the evening.”
    She pulled her hand back as if his were on fire. “No thank you, Spencer. I don’t need you.”
    Color rose in the pale, handsome face of the man before her. Deirdre stepped back in surprise and laughed. “Why Spencer Budacker. My rebuff has made you blush!”
    He didn’t answer her, but the twinkle in his eye dimmed. His smile faded as he looked away.
    His silence unnerved her. This was not the Spencer she knew. And normally, fending off a would be suitor left no mark on her conscious, but seeing Spencer downtrodden, set her off balance. And she didn’t care to be unbalanced.
    She pushed past him and towards the door. She stopped and turned. He remained with his back to her. “I really do need to get back.”
    Without another word, she turned and left, leaving Spencer standing in the shattered pieces of the delicate vase.

Chapter Ten
     
    Julia absentmindedly twisted her gold cross necklace as the mini-van pulled into the Frankfurt airport.
    “It’s now or never,” Kim said, sitting beside her.
    The reality of what she was about to do hit Julia like a speeding train. There was no turning back now. Her stomach twisted in knots, but she tried to ignore it. “I’m going to do this, Kim. I want adventure. I need this.”
    At least that was what she convinced herself last night. Their plan went so smoothly since her confession to Mr. Mueller about being at the bar, she figured it must be a sign that running off to England was the right choice. Mr. Mueller believed her story, and even thanked her for saving him from calling yet another parent to share the bad news that their child was expelled from the tour. Julia then phoned Sam at his hotel, and they talked for an hour. He reassured her of her safety and offered to have his aunt telephone her on his behalf. As he spoke about showing her London sights, Julia’s heart soared. Each minute talking to Sam convinced Julia she was meant to go. Finally, they arranged for him to be at the airport the next day when she arrived.
    The van doors open and Gunther, the driver, stepped out, beckoning them all to follow.
    “I hope you kids are happy with yourselves,” Mrs. O’Brien panted as she heaved her large body down the van steps. “You’re going home and I’m missing precious time with the choir because I’m the unlucky chaperone picked to make sure you get to the airport.”
    “Well, we’re here, Mrs. O.,” Kim said, her voice urgent. “You can go back so you don’t have to miss anymore precious choir moments.”
    “No, no,” Mrs. O’Brien said. “I may as well see to it that you get on the plane, and don’t end up in the bar .”
    Julia shot Kim a worried glance.