Read Online Over You by Christine Kersey - Free Book Online Page A

she heard a tool being used, her attention was drawn to Kyle’s presence. She pictured him working, his brow furrowed in concentration, his spectacular eyes focused on his task, and found herself longing for the time when they were together and his focus was always on her. He’d always made her feel special, like no one and nothing else was as important as her.  
    Lost in her memories, at first she didn’t notice that the sounds had stopped. Suddenly she realized all was quiet and glanced around, expecting to see Kyle standing there. But she was alone. Pushing back from the desk, she walked to the window and looked out and saw Kyle getting something from his truck. He turned and walked back toward the house. Jessica scurried away from the window and into the kitchen where Kyle wouldn’t be able to see her.
    “This is ridiculous,” she muttered. Even so, she waited until it sounded like Kyle had gone upstairs before going back into the library. She picked up her laptop and brought it into the sunroom, then put in her earbuds and turned up the volume on her iPod before resuming her work. This time she was able to work steadily until late afternoon, when she decided Ellen would be ready for her to visit.
    Removing her earbuds, Jessica shut down her laptop and stretched, then fixed herself something to eat. She wondered if she should say anything to Kyle before leaving and decided she probably should. Heading for the stairs, Jessica listened, but didn’t hear anything. She climbed the stairs and entered the master bedroom and didn’t see Kyle, then went into the bathroom. Though she could see he’d made some progress, he wasn’t there. She went to the window and looked down at the front yard and saw that Kyle’s truck was gone.
    For some reason, it bothered her that he’d left without saying anything.
    Typical, she thought. Just like when he ended our relationship. Why should I expect anything different now?  
    She left the bedroom and walked down the stairs, then went out to her car and headed toward the hospital.
    ~*~*~
      “You’re sure it’s in the attic?” Jessica asked.
    “Well, no. But if it’s not there, I don’t know where it is.”
    “And you need it right away?”
    “Well, I guess not, but I’d like to have it, if it’s not too much trouble.”
    Jessica smiled. “Of course I’ll look for it, if it’s important to you.”
    “Thank you, dear.” Ellen settled back on her pillows.  
    “Is there anything else I can get you or do for you?”
    “How is the work in my bathroom coming along?” Ellen asked, a mischievous smile on her face.
    Frowning, Jessica sighed. “Okay, I guess.”
    “So, Kyle does good work?”
    Jessica tried not to glare at her aunt. “It’s too early to tell. He’s only been working for one day.”
    Ellen chuckled. “All right. I’ll stop pestering you about him.” Lifting her water from the bedside table, she sipped from the straw, then set the glass down. “I’m just looking forward to having a nice bathroom when I come home.”
    “It’s going to take a little time for him to finish the job.” Jessica drew her eyebrows together. “How long do you think you’ll be in here, anyway?”
    “The doctor says I might need to go to a nursing home while I recover.”
    “A nursing home? Why can’t you come home and let me take care of you?”
    “I asked him that very question and he said this infection is serious enough that he wants it monitored closely, and staying in the hospital for more than a few days istoo expensive, so he said the next best option would be a nursing home. But it would only be temporary.”
    “Oh, Ellen. I’m so sorry.”
    “I don’t think it will be so bad. I had a friend who had to do the same thing once, and she survived.”
    Jessica saw through her aunt’s bravado. “Do you think it would help if I spoke to the doctor?”
    “It certainly wouldn’t hurt, but I don’t know if it will make any difference. When he talked to me he