Read Online Heartbeat by Faith Sullivan - Free Book Online Page B

was a toy she got tired of playing with. I aroused her passion, but not her heart.
    She was my first, and I gave everything to her. But while we were physical, we were never intimate. She never opened herself up to me. I didn’t know her thoughts and fears, what she dreamed about, or what she wanted out of life. I revealed everything while she smiled and undoubtedly tuned me out.
    It hurt to be so stupid, so naive, so trusting. Bearing your soul is never easy, but to have the object of your desire basically turn away after realizing things had gone too far—that’s agony.
    Reaching the top of the hill, I lean back against a tree and look out at the breathtaking landscape before me. I found this spot at the end of last summer, and I couldn’t wait to come back to it. It is pristine farmland, stretching as far as the eye can see.
    It is a view I want to share with someone, but not just anyone. Someone who can feel as moved by it as I do. Someone who will get it without explanation…
    That’s the person I need in my life. That’s who I’m looking for.

Chapter Twenty-One

Katie
    Who would have thought I’d end up back in a Tri-County ambulance? But here I am, en route to Grandma’s nursing home. No Adam this time, only a heavyset guy with a serious bald spot and a tough blonde chick with muscles to spare. I want to ask them if they know Adam, but they aren’t exactly the most approachable duo.
    Besides, Grandma looks scared. Her stretcher is tilted into an upright position and she is nervously looking around. For some reason, it feels like we are going to her final destination. Like she will never make it home again.
    I try to shake that thought from my mind and instead focus on her. While she is still with me…
    “Grandma, are you doing okay? Do you need anything?” I ask.
    “I’m fine, Katie. Don’t you go worrying about me,” she responds.
    “I’m sure this place won’t be so bad, right?”
    “Whatever you say, dear.”
    “I know it’s not what you’re used to, but it’s only to get you back on your feet so you can finally come home.”
    She doesn’t answer. Instead, she closes her eyes and gives an almost inaudible sigh.
    The lady ambulance worker, listening to our whole exchange, gives me a sorrowful look. With her experience, she must know I’m fooling myself for expecting a happy ending to this sad tale.
    I don’t want to bother Grandma with any more of my false optimism. It’s better if she rests before our arrival—a check-in we are both dreading.
    It isn’t a comfortable ride sitting in the rear of the ambulance. I am jostled by every bump in the road. I appreciate Adam’s driving skills even more since this guy hits every pothole in existence. Maybe he has some extra padding thanks to his donut cravings, but the rest of us sure don’t. I wish I had the nerve to tell him to slow down. This isn’t an emergency call.
    Ever since meeting Adam, it’s like I see ambulances wherever I go. In Dad’s car on our daily ride to and from the hospital, I’d always glance at the ones we passed to see if Adam was driving. We encountered at least five a day. I never realized there were so many on the road.
    There was a time last week when I wasn’t sure if it was him. It was only for a brief moment.
    ***
    I am held up at a light near our house. There is a funeral procession of cars, and a cop is stopping traffic to let it go by. Shelby is on my lap. We are returning from our walk on the wooded trail near the park. Her paws are muddy and she desperately needs a drink of water.
    “It’s okay, girl. We’re almost home. We just have to let these people pass. All right, calm down. That’s a good girl,” I whisper.
    It is one of the rare moments in recent weeks when I’m in a car by myself. It is a relief to get away, if only for a half hour or so. And Shelby is good in the car. She likes to perch on my arm and look out the window. That means I need to drive with one hand, but it’s a short