Read Online The Girl He Left Behind by Patricia Kay - Free Book Online

mentally sighed. She’d hoped to pretend the evening had ended soon after they’d left the shelter, but once again, the small-town grapevine had been hard at work. “Yes. He was hungry.”
    â€œSo what’d he talk about?” Alice pressed.
    Just as Eve was trying to figure out how best to answer, she saw Joe Ferguson walking their way. Not again! She wasn’t sure she had the energy to deal with the mayor again right now, especially not in front of Alice. Oh, why hadn’t Eve pretended not to be feeling well and escaped the whole coffee-and-doughnuts thing entirely this morning? But maybe it wasn’t too late. Standing, she turned to her mother and said, “Mom, I’m really not feeling great and I have to write—”
    â€œWell, lookee here,” Ferguson boomed as he reached their table. “If it isn’t three of the best-looking women in Crandall Lake. How are y’all doing this fine summer morning, ladies?”
    Eve’s mother turned and smiled. Alice Fogarty looked less charmed as her eyes met Eve’s. Eve took a deep breath, forced another smile and remained standing. “Good morning, Joe. I was just leaving.” Turning back to her mother, she added, “I’ll call you later, Mom, okay? I really do have to go. I still have to write my blog and the twins will be home later.”
    â€œBefore you go,” Ferguson said, “I was wondering—did you have a chance to talk to Adam about coming to the Rotary meetin’ on Tuesday?”
    â€œI’m sorry, Joe. We didn’t discuss it.” Slinging her purse over her shoulder, she waved goodbye and determinedly strode off without waiting for anyone to say anything else.
    As she walked from the activity center to the main church parking lot she berated herself again for ever going to the shelter yesterday. If only she hadn’t seen Adam. If only she hadn’t been forced to talk to him in front of all those people. If only she hadn’t suggested going to Dinah’s Diner.
    But she had. And she did. And no amount of wishing otherwise would change that. As a result, she knew she had a lot more questioning in store for her, from lots of people.
    But mostly from her mother.
    And she’d better be certain she had her answers ready.
    * * *
    Adam didn’t get to the hospital until early afternoon on Sunday. His mother was napping when he walked in, the remains of her lunch still on her tray table. Her room was filled with the fragrance of flowers, most of them from his friends and colleagues in the music business. His gaze lingered on the large and expensive bouquet sent by Bethany. He didn’t have to look at the accompanying card to know what it said:
    Praying for a speedy recovery for you. Love from Bethany
    He shook his head. It was past time to tell Bethany how he felt. It wasn’t fair to keep her thinking their relationship was ever going to go any further. He was turning over options of when and what to say when his phone buzzed. Almost as if he’d conjured her with his thoughts, the incoming text was from Bethany.
    Call me when you get a min. Important!!!
    This was the third text she’d sent in the past hour. He decided since his mother was still sleeping, he would go out to the waiting area and place the call. Otherwise, Bethany would just keep texting, and sooner or later, she’d get tired of doing that and start calling herself.
    She answered on the first ring.
    â€œI was beginning to think you were purposely ignoring me,” she said.
    â€œI was in the shower when you first texted, driving when you texted again and in my mother’s hospital room this time.”
    â€œWhy didn’t you call me after you got out of the shower?”
    Adam stifled a sigh. “I’m calling you now. What’s up?”
    â€œWhat’s up is you’ve been gone more than a week! And Rolling Stone waits for no man.”
    Now Adam really did sigh.