Read Online His and Hers and Hers by Nona Raines - Free Book Online Page A

and quickly looked away. She was pretty, this one, maybe even beautiful, but her cool, remote beauty couldn’t compare to Cassie’s warmth.
    Enough of this shit . With new purpose, he wheeled his cart to the nearest checkout lane. As soon as he paid for and packed up his items, he’d call Cassie.
    * * * *
    Cassie closed the shop but was in no hurry to head home. She had no plans, nothing to look forward to but a long, lonely weekend. Especially since she didn’t know when Kyla and Jordan might contact her. Or if they would, ever again.
    She picked up a sandwich and coffee at the corner minimart and headed down the next block. She couldn’t help but smile seeing the Christmas items displayed in storefronts, though it was weeks yet till Thanksgiving. Jordan had been right about the holiday season being rushed.
    Walter was in his usual spot. He nodded a greeting and took the coffee and sandwich she handed him with a murmured thank-you. There was nothing obsequious about Walter. He had a certain dignity, as though he were bestowing a favor instead of accepting charity.
    “Still staying at the mission?” she asked, making conversation. She needed human conversation, companionship. She dreaded the thought of her empty apartment.
    “I’ve moved up to Holy Spirit Episcopal,” he informed her after checking the contents of his sandwich. “Not as many thieves there.”
    “Well, that’s good.” Cassie wondered what he had to steal. Walter didn’t even have a shopping cart. All his worldly possessions must be kept in the pockets of his long coat.
    “Mm-hmm.” Walter chewed his sandwich and gave her a look of sympathy, as though he knew why she lingered with him, reluctant to leave. He knew loneliness too. “How are you doing?”
    “Oh, I’m…fine.” She nodded at the carnation in the lapel of his coat, wondering where he’d gotten it. “I like your flower.”
    He plucked it from his buttonhole and handed it to her. “For you.”
    “Oh, Walter.” She looked down at the carnation and back at him, touched. “Thank you.”
    “You’re very welcome.” He nodded, gently dismissing her. “You take care, now, Cassie.”
    “Good night, Walter.”
    Cassie drifted down the block, twirling the flower in her fingers. She felt lighter, less alone.
    She wasn’t sure why she was so drawn to Walter. Maybe it was his proud demeanor, in spite of his homelessness. Or it might be that he made her think of her parents.
    If that were the case, why didn’t she avoid him? Her parents had abandoned her, and she’d lost touch with them years ago. She didn’t even know their whereabouts.
    But part of her still wondered if they were safe. If they were cold or hungry. Though they hadn’t cared for her, the lonely child in Cassie wanted to care for them. To make them love her, even as she despised them for throwing her away.
    She was almost at the corner when she heard someone call her name. Turning, she saw Kyla hurrying up the sidewalk to catch up.
    Cassie’s heart lurched in both happiness and fear. She licked her dry lips and tried to smile. “Hi.”
    “Hi.” Kyla was breathless. “I thought you’d still be at the shop. I stopped by, and you’d already closed.”
    “Oh. We close a little earlier on Fridays.”
    “I’m glad I caught you, then.” Kyla’s face was serious and intense. She was a woman with a purpose. “We need to talk.”
    “All right.” Cassie felt queasy with apprehension. “Let’s go back to the shop.”
    Kyla was silent as she accompanied her back to New Again, and Cassie’s skin felt clammy with dread. Kyla had come to say good-bye. Cassie heard herself talking rapidly, breathlessly, as she unlocked the door, trying to forestall the inevitable. “I’m glad you came by. Someone dropped off a bunch of books today. I put aside a few I thought you’d like.” She hoped her voice didn’t betray her nervous trembling.
    “Let’s go in back.” Kyla glanced at the plate-glass window looking out