Read Online Meant to Be (RightMatch.com Trilogy) by Kathryn Shay - Free Book Online Page B

watched him, searching his face. Her expression bereft, she finally said, “I don’t think I have a choice.”
    Emotion clogged his throat. “What do you mean?”
    “Your plan worked. You wanted me to fall for you so that I’d accept anything.”
    Spence’s words came back to him.
    I’m going to tell you something personal. Don’t make love to Beth before you tell her the truth. I did that with Annie and it made things much, much worse.
    Suddenly, he felt so bad about what he’d done to this lovely woman, he almost couldn’t contain it. And saying he was sorry seemed to be an insult to what pain he’d caused by his selfish actions.
    She squeezed his hand. “I’ll give us a chance, Cole. Give us the month you asked for.”
    He cocked his head. “But you’re unhappy about it.”
    Tears leaked from her eyes. “Yes. But I’ll do what you ask.”
    Tugging her close, he held her next to a heart which was beating like a runner’s, mid-jog. Funny, he’d won the battle. He’d convinced this lovely woman to let their relationship all shake out. But he didn’t feel at all like a victor. He felt like a first-class shit!
     

 
    Chapter 5
    Beth walked into the Second Chances for her regular shift on Tuesday with a heavy heart. Heading down the hall, she reached the common area outside of Carolyn’s office and the hotline quarters, where clients tended to gather. The first person she bumped into was Mary Anderson, the woman she’d accepted into the shelter, picked up in Rockland and driven back to Honey Lake and the shelter. “Hi, Mary.”
    “Oh, Beth, hello.” Mary’s eyes darted away from Beth’s. The bruises on her face had faded away, but Beth knew the internal wounds were taking much longer to heal.
    “Are you all right?” Beth asked.
    She nodded and pointed to the closed door of the director’s office. “I’m, um, just waiting to see Carolyn.” She bit her lip. “For my exit interview.”
    “Already? You’ve only been here a couple of weeks.” The average stay was thirty days but could be, and often was, extended.
    As if she was unable to stand up anymore, Mary dropped down on one of the couches. Beth took a seat across from her on a matching chair. “Tell me what’s going on.”
    “I been talkin’ to Bobby. I know I’m not supposed to, but I have.”
    Beth didn’t need to hear to the rest of the explanation Mary would give; it was so common. He’s sorry. He says he’ll never do it again. He’ll get help if I just come back. Give him another chance.
    Still, Beth let Mary have her say and listened attentively. She knew it wasn’t her place to talk the woman into staying. The counselors here drew clear lines, knowing the woman had to initiate all actions to break ties with her abuser. “I hope all that’s true.”
    “You don’t think it is, do you?”
    She could give her opinion. “Honestly, I’m afraid it’s not. Statistics show most men in these situations don’t change.”
    Mary waved to encompass the shelter. “The counselors here said that, too.” Her eyes filled. “But I still love him. I want my life back.”
    Carolyn’s door opened. With her was a petite woman sporting the worst-looking black eye Beth had ever seen. The girl smiled at Carolyn and said, “Thanks.” Ducking her head shyly, she walked down the hall.
    “Oh, hi, Beth.” Carolyn turned to the other woman. “Mary, you ready to talk?”
    “Uh-huh.” Impulsively, she reached up and hugged Beth. “Thanks for everything.”
    “Good luck, Mary.”
    Beth had taken three calls on the hotline—one with Social Services, one with a nurse whose doctor husband was beating her up and one with a private psychologist who wanted the shelter counselors to talk to a client of hers. She was waiting for the call from that client when Carolyn walked in the office.
    Dropping down on a chair, she took a bead on Beth. “We can’t save them all, Beth.”
    “I know. I just feel bad.”
    “That’s all right. We all feel