Read Online Reunion by Karen Kingsbury - Free Book Online

married by now. She thought about the deadly warehouse fire he had fought in Manhattan before he made the decision to return to Bloom ington. He never would’ve been there if she’d said yes to him, if she’d not been so afraid of seeing a doctor.
    A shudder worked its way through her, and she closed her eyes again. God… thank you for bringing him back to me. Thank you.
    I know the plans I have for you, daughter.., plans to give you a hope and a future, and not to harm you.
    The verse was her favorite, and it came softly to her now, brushing over the rough edges of her heart and bringing peace to her anxious soul.
    “Ashley? Do you need a minute alone?”
    The doctor’s voice brought her back and she looked at him.
    She felt like crying, but at the same time she was so happy she laughed out loud. Never mind the mistakes she’d made in the past. God was bigger than all of them, and suddenly she was filled with a kind of joy she’d never known before.
    A sense of freedom and knowing and abundant life all wrapped into one big flame that lit her up and made her feel like shouting. God had given her a second chance! She had Cole and Landon and love and life and now…
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    kingsbury smalley
    She gathered her purse and the paper and shook Dr. Dillon’s hand. “If there’s nothing else, Doctor, I have to meet someone.”
    “I’d like you to come twice a year for checkups, just to keep an eye on your other blood levels. Sometimes after a false-positive HIV test we find something out of whack that needs an adjustment, but nothing serious.”
    Ashley was already halfway to the door. She nodded, thanked the doctor, and darted into the hall. When she was outside she flipped open her cell phone and called Landon. She glanced at her watch. Five to four. Perfect. He would be off in five minutes.
    On the second ring, she heard him pick up. He knew she was seeing the doctor today, but he had no idea about the test results.
    ey,
    Ash.’ His tone was soft, intimate. As if not a minute’s time , had passed since their kiss on the couch last night.” How was the doctor?”
    Tears flooded her eyes as she leaned against the outside wall of the hospital.
    “Landon…” Saying his name released more of the emotions building within her.
    She waited until the lump in
    eased some. “Meet me at Lake Monroe. At our table, “N ? ” ” ” ?
    ow. Alarm sounded in his votce. Ash, what is it. Stay there, honey. I can meet you. If this is something bad, don’t worry about me.”
    Landon. A nervous giggle slipped out. She cleared her throat. “It’s talk nothingthe lake,bad -I justs,, need to see you face-to-face. I D ant to at oaay.
    B ,,H,e hesitated. “You’re sure you’re okay?” il/’ Yes.” She had more control now. “Lake Monroe in fifteen
    minutes, all right?”
    Bi,.
    “Okay. I’m on my way.”
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    The ride to Lake Monroe was the longest in Landon’s life. Of all the situations he’d faced and survived in the past three years something told him this would be the most memorable. Finding his friendJalen in the rubble of the collapse of the twin towers was of course unforgettable. Working in New York City a rush, with countless dangers and sorrows, but still it was only a job.
    Ashley was his future, his fiancee, the only woman he’d ever loved. This afternoon she’d seen the doctor, and whatever he’d told her was big enough that she wanted somewhere special to tell him the news.
    He turned left out of the fire-station parking lot and heard her again in his mind. It’s nothing bad.., nothing bad.., nothbad…
    But what if it was? What news could the doctor possibly give that would be dramatic enough to make her.start crying the she had when he answered the phone?
    He tightened his grip the steering wheel and flexed the muscles in his jaw.
    God… more, please. Not now. I want to marry her and love her be a family with Cole. Please, God…
    52
    REUNION
    He arrived at the lake before her, parked, and sauntered