Read Online Over Her Head by Shelley Bates - Free Book Online Page A

to work.”
    “Where do you work?”
    “Depends on the day. On Wednesday I have early shift at the university. I drive the shuttle bus around the campus. Then from
     two till six I work swing at Susquanny Home Supply. I’m a cashier.”
    Which didn’t leave a whole lot of time for meeting her daughter’s friends.
    “What did Randi do that day?”
    “She gets out of school at three. I called her at four and she was at the mall with Kate and the other girls.”
    She might have been at the mall, but Kate had said in their interview the other night that she had dance class until five
     and had been there with all the other ballerinas. Randi, it appeared, was as good at spinning yarns as her mother was at believing
     them.
    Or maybe this slender, hunched-over woman just needed to believe in something good in her life. The picture of Randi at the
     mall, having fun with other girls her age, must have been too appealing to resist.
    “What about when you got home? Was she there?”
    Tanya shook her head. “She called and said she was staying with one of the girls to eat supper and study, and she’d be home
     around eight.”
    “And was she?”
    “I don’t know. I grabbed the extra hours—a mistake, because I wound up not getting home until ten. The store closes at nine,
     and then we cash out.”
    “And she wasn’t here.” She was on the bridge, doing—what?
    “No.”
    “What did you do?”
    “I called her cell and left a message.”
    “She didn’t answer?”
    “I thought she was inside somewhere. Sometimes it doesn’t work in certain buildings. So I—” She stopped. “I—” Her breathing
     shortened, became a series of gasps. “I’m sorry.”
    “That’s okay. Take your time.”
    Her breath hitched. “I meant to call over to Kate’s—to see if she was there—but I was so tired—I just shut my eyes for a second
     and—and—”
    Aw, no.
Nick rubbed a cold hand over his face and wished he’d left while he’d had the chance.
    “And the next thing I knew, it was morning and a man who said he was the coroner was on the doorstep—and he said—he—” The
     last word ended on a wail and Nick found himself dropping his notebook beside him on the couch and folding Tanya Peizer into
     a hug while she cried.
    What kind of God lets a girl die while her exhausted mother sleeps?
he asked silently as she shook against his chest.
    Of course there was no answer to that question.
    There were answers to the mystery of what had happened to Randi Peizer before the river carried her away, though. And he was
     going to find them.
    To Group: GBFWomensBible
    From: [email protected]
    Hey girls,
    Thanks to Maggie and Cammie, we’ve helped Tanya get through the first couple of days. We need to stick with her through the
     funeral and probably afterward. Can you all zip me a note and let me know what evenings you’ll be able to park the kids with
     your DH in order to go over to her place for a couple of hours? I want to draw up a roster so no one person has to spend too
     much time away from her own family. Also, let me know if you can make dishes for her freezer or throw a few extra groceries
     in your cart next time you’re at the market. I know we’re all busy, but our sister needs us.
    Thanks, as always!
    Laurie
    S unday morning, Laurie
walked into church with to-do lists and schedules and menu plans on a neat list in her tote bag, with enough copies for everyone
     in the Bible study group. Cammie, she saw right away, had picked up Tanya and made sure she got to the service. Laurie knew
     for a fact that staying in that apartment, alone and grieving, was not going to start her on the road to recovery. Simply
     being in the place where others could help her would be a balm to her soul and the best thing she could do for herself.
    Cammie stuck to Tanya like a burr during the service, where Cale Dayton preached on the healing power of love. At the end,
     he announced that the memorial service for Randi would