Read Online Single (Stockton Beavers #1) by Collette West - Free Book Online Page A
Authors: Collette West
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was going through, in an attempt to keep things as private as possible. Being recognized around Stockton didn't help matters. The added attention in public only made her agitated, muddling her thoughts even more. It just wasn't worth getting her so upset if she could just as easily stay at home with Mrs. Jenkins and watch TV for a few hours when I had to go somewhere. Today was the rare exception, and one I wish with all my heart, I could take back.
The guard is getting pelted in the face with rain. And it's clear he doesn't intend to stand around and argue with me. As long as I'm happy, he's happy.
"Well, if that'll be it, then, I'll leave you to it." He nods at us. "Have a safe ride home."
He begins marching back toward the stadium, probably eager to clock out and call it a day. Only then do I breathe a sigh of relief.
"Luke, can you ever forgive me?" Mrs. Jenkins asks the minute we get inside my Subaru.
I run my hands over my face and pull down my hood. Mrs. Jenkins is an old lady herself, and I know just how fast Mom can disappear in a crowd. I can't blame her for this. It's not her fault.
"Yes, of course. I forgive you, Mrs. Jenkins." I give her a sad smile. "I don't know what I'd do without you."
She beams back at me gratefully, but everything's spiraling out of control faster than I can keep it together. I can't do this on my own anymore—or put so much responsibility for Mom's safety on Mrs. Jenkins. I need help.
And I'm hoping Roberta will be willing to give it to me.
Chapter Eight
Roberta
I lean back into the steady stream of hot water, finally feeling some warmth seep into my bones.
Luke's mom is resting comfortably in her room after I bathed her and got her ready for bed. Luke was underfoot the whole time I was tucking her in, but I guess it's understandable. She gave him quite a fright today, and he didn't want to let her out of his sight. Still, I insisted that he hop in the shower ahead of me, needing some time away from him in order to think. Is this a job I'd be willing to take on on a more permanent basis? Dipping my head back in the shower, I sigh as the numbness leaves my body. I've never been so cold for that long before, and I don't even want to think about what would've happened to Luke's mom if nobody had found her in time…
The pipes start to clang, and I cry out when a frigid blast hits me. What the …? I hurriedly rotate the taps beneath the spout, forgetting which one's which, yet somehow managing to turn the water off. I step out and bury my face in a towel. It's an older home; things happen. But I don't think running out of hot water has anything to do with the sorry state of their kitchen. I pat myself dry. All the signs are there; I just don't want to see them.
Wiping the condensation from the mirror, I know I need to have a good talk with myself before I come to a decision. Luke's mom is slowly fading away, and his heart's only going to break more and more with each passing day. So I'd better make damn sure I'm up for this before I go making him any promises. I stare at my reflection. God, who am I kidding ? My mind was made up the minute she called him little Lukey.
Knock, knock, knock . "Roberta, are you all right in there?"
Christ, it's Luke…and I can't remember if I locked the door or not. My cheeks start to burn as I hastily reach for the silky robe he lent me until my clothes are dry. His mom's so petite, and this is probably the only thing of hers that'd fit me. I keep my eyes trained on the doorknob until my body's completely covered.
"Uh, yeah. I'll be right out."
"I'm sorry. I wasn't thinking," he groans. "It's just been so long since I had to listen for anyone in the shower before turning the washing machine on."
I smile. "Well, since you did wipe down the shower for me when you were done, why don't we call it even?"
I rest my forehead against the door and listen to him laugh on the other side. So many guys aren't considerate, not like he is. My ex-husband
The guard is getting pelted in the face with rain. And it's clear he doesn't intend to stand around and argue with me. As long as I'm happy, he's happy.
"Well, if that'll be it, then, I'll leave you to it." He nods at us. "Have a safe ride home."
He begins marching back toward the stadium, probably eager to clock out and call it a day. Only then do I breathe a sigh of relief.
"Luke, can you ever forgive me?" Mrs. Jenkins asks the minute we get inside my Subaru.
I run my hands over my face and pull down my hood. Mrs. Jenkins is an old lady herself, and I know just how fast Mom can disappear in a crowd. I can't blame her for this. It's not her fault.
"Yes, of course. I forgive you, Mrs. Jenkins." I give her a sad smile. "I don't know what I'd do without you."
She beams back at me gratefully, but everything's spiraling out of control faster than I can keep it together. I can't do this on my own anymore—or put so much responsibility for Mom's safety on Mrs. Jenkins. I need help.
And I'm hoping Roberta will be willing to give it to me.
Chapter Eight
Roberta
I lean back into the steady stream of hot water, finally feeling some warmth seep into my bones.
Luke's mom is resting comfortably in her room after I bathed her and got her ready for bed. Luke was underfoot the whole time I was tucking her in, but I guess it's understandable. She gave him quite a fright today, and he didn't want to let her out of his sight. Still, I insisted that he hop in the shower ahead of me, needing some time away from him in order to think. Is this a job I'd be willing to take on on a more permanent basis? Dipping my head back in the shower, I sigh as the numbness leaves my body. I've never been so cold for that long before, and I don't even want to think about what would've happened to Luke's mom if nobody had found her in time…
The pipes start to clang, and I cry out when a frigid blast hits me. What the …? I hurriedly rotate the taps beneath the spout, forgetting which one's which, yet somehow managing to turn the water off. I step out and bury my face in a towel. It's an older home; things happen. But I don't think running out of hot water has anything to do with the sorry state of their kitchen. I pat myself dry. All the signs are there; I just don't want to see them.
Wiping the condensation from the mirror, I know I need to have a good talk with myself before I come to a decision. Luke's mom is slowly fading away, and his heart's only going to break more and more with each passing day. So I'd better make damn sure I'm up for this before I go making him any promises. I stare at my reflection. God, who am I kidding ? My mind was made up the minute she called him little Lukey.
Knock, knock, knock . "Roberta, are you all right in there?"
Christ, it's Luke…and I can't remember if I locked the door or not. My cheeks start to burn as I hastily reach for the silky robe he lent me until my clothes are dry. His mom's so petite, and this is probably the only thing of hers that'd fit me. I keep my eyes trained on the doorknob until my body's completely covered.
"Uh, yeah. I'll be right out."
"I'm sorry. I wasn't thinking," he groans. "It's just been so long since I had to listen for anyone in the shower before turning the washing machine on."
I smile. "Well, since you did wipe down the shower for me when you were done, why don't we call it even?"
I rest my forehead against the door and listen to him laugh on the other side. So many guys aren't considerate, not like he is. My ex-husband
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