Read Online A Soldier's Promise (Crystal Lake Series Book 2) by Laura Scott - Free Book Online Page B
Authors: Laura Scott
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strange sense of loneliness without Derek and Lexi seated beside her.
___________
The next morning, Julie ate a bowl of cold cereal before getting dressed for church. She chose a flowery skirt and a matching blouse and then took the time to blow-dry her hair so that it was nice and straight. She headed over to the adjacent townhouse and knocked on the screen door. After a few minutes with no response, she called out, “Derek? Lexi?”
A dark shadow appeared, and she noticed with relief that Derek was standing on the other side of the screen.
“Good morning,” Derek said quietly. His hair was damp from a recent shower, and he was dressed in a clean pair of jeans and a red T-shirt, an acute reminder that he had regular clothes rather than the scrubs. He appeared more rested than he had the day before, and she suspected that no one seeing him like this would believe he’d suffered a collapsed lung and bruised ribs less than forty-eight hours ago. Obviously, he was a quick healer.
“Good morning.” She smoothed a hand over her skirt, feeling nervous. “Um...I have cold cereal for breakfast if you and Lexi are hungry. And I was wondering if you and Lexi wanted to attend church services with me this morning?”
“Cereal sounds fine, but I think we’ll pass on the church services,” he murmured. “Thanks anyway.”
She did her best to keep the keen sense of disappointment from her features, even though she knew that if Derek and Lexi had come with her, the town gossips would have had a field day. Certainly it was better this way.
So why was she so upset?
“All right, I’ll be heading out shortly, but please help yourself to whatever you need in the kitchen, okay?” She pasted a bright smile on her face with an effort. “I’ll see you both later.” Fighting tears, she turned away.
“Julie,” he said in a low voice.
She stopped and took a deep breath before turning back to face him. “Yes?”
“Thank you, for everything.”
Her mouth went dry, and for a wild moment, she thought he was saying goodbye. But how could Derek and Lexi possibly leave? As far as she knew, there weren’t many places nearby to rent a car, especially on a Sunday.
“You’re welcome,” she managed. As she turned and walked back to her side of the townhouse, she paused in the kitchen, gripping the back of a kitchen chair, inwardly debating the idea of forgoing church services. Maybe if she stayed here, Derek and Lexi wouldn’t leave. She’d find a way to convince them to stay, at least through the holiday.
But as soon as the thought crossed her mind, she knew she was being ridiculous. She still needed to go grocery shopping, or they’d all starve. And whether she liked it or not, Derek and Lexi had every right to leave her townhouse and Crystal Lake whenever they wanted to.
Her fault if she found that idea depressing.
Maybe praying would help her find peace. She straightened her shoulders and grabbed her purse and car keys before heading for the door. She would go to church, and she would go grocery shopping afterwards. And if Derek and Lexi were gone when she returned, then obviously, that was God’s will.
If she could survive the scandal of Andrew’s affair, she’d certainly survive Derek and Lexi leaving.
Better for her to remember her role here was simply to help a stranger and his daughter in need. Derek wasn’t looking for anything more.
And she shouldn’t be, either.
___________
Derek leaned on the door frame, fighting the urge to call Julie back. The flash of disappointment in her eyes had cut deep, even though he knew he couldn’t afford to be seen with Lexi in such a public place. For all he knew, Deputy Thomas would be there, or some of the other members of the town’s law enforcement. If Claire’s parents had sounded the alarm they may recognize him and arrest him.
He hadn’t been to church in years, but surprisingly, he realized he’d have liked to go with Julie.
Lexi came up to stand
___________
The next morning, Julie ate a bowl of cold cereal before getting dressed for church. She chose a flowery skirt and a matching blouse and then took the time to blow-dry her hair so that it was nice and straight. She headed over to the adjacent townhouse and knocked on the screen door. After a few minutes with no response, she called out, “Derek? Lexi?”
A dark shadow appeared, and she noticed with relief that Derek was standing on the other side of the screen.
“Good morning,” Derek said quietly. His hair was damp from a recent shower, and he was dressed in a clean pair of jeans and a red T-shirt, an acute reminder that he had regular clothes rather than the scrubs. He appeared more rested than he had the day before, and she suspected that no one seeing him like this would believe he’d suffered a collapsed lung and bruised ribs less than forty-eight hours ago. Obviously, he was a quick healer.
“Good morning.” She smoothed a hand over her skirt, feeling nervous. “Um...I have cold cereal for breakfast if you and Lexi are hungry. And I was wondering if you and Lexi wanted to attend church services with me this morning?”
“Cereal sounds fine, but I think we’ll pass on the church services,” he murmured. “Thanks anyway.”
She did her best to keep the keen sense of disappointment from her features, even though she knew that if Derek and Lexi had come with her, the town gossips would have had a field day. Certainly it was better this way.
So why was she so upset?
“All right, I’ll be heading out shortly, but please help yourself to whatever you need in the kitchen, okay?” She pasted a bright smile on her face with an effort. “I’ll see you both later.” Fighting tears, she turned away.
“Julie,” he said in a low voice.
She stopped and took a deep breath before turning back to face him. “Yes?”
“Thank you, for everything.”
Her mouth went dry, and for a wild moment, she thought he was saying goodbye. But how could Derek and Lexi possibly leave? As far as she knew, there weren’t many places nearby to rent a car, especially on a Sunday.
“You’re welcome,” she managed. As she turned and walked back to her side of the townhouse, she paused in the kitchen, gripping the back of a kitchen chair, inwardly debating the idea of forgoing church services. Maybe if she stayed here, Derek and Lexi wouldn’t leave. She’d find a way to convince them to stay, at least through the holiday.
But as soon as the thought crossed her mind, she knew she was being ridiculous. She still needed to go grocery shopping, or they’d all starve. And whether she liked it or not, Derek and Lexi had every right to leave her townhouse and Crystal Lake whenever they wanted to.
Her fault if she found that idea depressing.
Maybe praying would help her find peace. She straightened her shoulders and grabbed her purse and car keys before heading for the door. She would go to church, and she would go grocery shopping afterwards. And if Derek and Lexi were gone when she returned, then obviously, that was God’s will.
If she could survive the scandal of Andrew’s affair, she’d certainly survive Derek and Lexi leaving.
Better for her to remember her role here was simply to help a stranger and his daughter in need. Derek wasn’t looking for anything more.
And she shouldn’t be, either.
___________
Derek leaned on the door frame, fighting the urge to call Julie back. The flash of disappointment in her eyes had cut deep, even though he knew he couldn’t afford to be seen with Lexi in such a public place. For all he knew, Deputy Thomas would be there, or some of the other members of the town’s law enforcement. If Claire’s parents had sounded the alarm they may recognize him and arrest him.
He hadn’t been to church in years, but surprisingly, he realized he’d have liked to go with Julie.
Lexi came up to stand
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