Read Online The Past Between Us by Kimberly Van Meter - Free Book Online Page B
Authors: Kimberly Van Meter
Tags: Mama Jo's Boys
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Cassi was but even if she did, she doubted she’d share that information with this man. His eyes were flinty and cold even if he was going out of his way to appear harmless. “It’s been a long time since Cassi Nolan spent any time in this house,” she said, leaving it at that.
And a pity, too. She cared for that girl and hoped she came to her senses sooner rather than later, but Thomas hadn’t mentioned her name once since their big blowup all those years ago in college. Mama Jo had hoped—well, shoot, if you twisted her arm she’d admit she’d prayed—that those two were going to tie the knot someday. Alas, she thought on a private sigh, it hadn’t worked out that way.
“Yes, well, she hasn’t been home in a long time, either,” he admitted. “I just worry. I’d like to know she’s all right. You know, I’m her only family since her mother’s passing two years ago. I’d feel better if I at least knew where she was, even if she didn’t want to come home. Surely, as a mother, you understand my feelings.” She grunted something in agreement and he took that as a positive sign and handed her a business card. “If she contacts you…please let me know. I would be most appreciative, Ms. Bell. Perhaps,” he said slyly as he walked away. “I could even make it worth your while.”
’Coon poop, that’s what he was. She recognized a bribe when she saw it. She watched as he climbed into that ridiculous-looking fancy car that was ill-suited for her country road and when he’d disappeared, she went inside and ripped the card to pieces before tossing it into the fire along with a fresh log. If he wanted to find Cassi, he could do it himself. She wasn’t about to tattle on the girl. If she wanted to come home, she would.
Mama Jo settled in her favorite chair to warm her frozen bones and her thoughts wandered to Thomas. A smile followed. The strong, silent one with the biggest heart—a heart that had only ever belonged to one person…and that girl had been too silly to notice.
Well, maybe that would change. She could only hope. An all-over fatigue wore her out, and she closed her eyes. Seemed the need to nap came more and more when before she’d managed on a handful of hours. Growing boys had needed constant supervision. A few minutes of shut-eye sounded just the thing…and then she’d make some chili, because nothing tasted better on a cold day than hot chili.
C ASSI LOCKED HER MOTEL room door, the sharp smell of hair dye still fresh in her nose, and set out for the public library. She was short on funds; and she needed access to a computer. The public library—particularly those of big cities—offered free internet access as well as a convenient place to spend a few hours crafting a new identity. If anyone asked, she could easily pull off the lit grad student excuse, always taking care to have a few classics in her book pile.
She hailed a taxi and stared out the window, glancing at the skyline with a sigh. A storm broiled, kicking up dark ominous clouds that promised snow before the end of the day, and she shivered against the chill coming from the finger-smudged glass. She hadn’t planned to use that bus ticket to Newark until the spring. “Damn you, Tommy,” she muttered before closing her eyes.
The details of downtown Newark were lost on her, but she wasn’t there to sightsee anyway. For the past two years she’d appreciated little of the places she’d traveled. It wasn’t until about six months ago that she’d finally stumbled across a piece of information that was truly useful in her search. There were days she’d lost hope of finding anything. She supposed she had Isaac to thank for the discovery.
Poor Isaac. She felt more than a twinge of guilt for the part she played in his inevitable heartbreak. She shifted in her seat, her mouth tightening at the contempt she’d heard in Tommy’s voice at her deception of Isaac. He didn’t have all the facts. How dare he judge her?
And a pity, too. She cared for that girl and hoped she came to her senses sooner rather than later, but Thomas hadn’t mentioned her name once since their big blowup all those years ago in college. Mama Jo had hoped—well, shoot, if you twisted her arm she’d admit she’d prayed—that those two were going to tie the knot someday. Alas, she thought on a private sigh, it hadn’t worked out that way.
“Yes, well, she hasn’t been home in a long time, either,” he admitted. “I just worry. I’d like to know she’s all right. You know, I’m her only family since her mother’s passing two years ago. I’d feel better if I at least knew where she was, even if she didn’t want to come home. Surely, as a mother, you understand my feelings.” She grunted something in agreement and he took that as a positive sign and handed her a business card. “If she contacts you…please let me know. I would be most appreciative, Ms. Bell. Perhaps,” he said slyly as he walked away. “I could even make it worth your while.”
’Coon poop, that’s what he was. She recognized a bribe when she saw it. She watched as he climbed into that ridiculous-looking fancy car that was ill-suited for her country road and when he’d disappeared, she went inside and ripped the card to pieces before tossing it into the fire along with a fresh log. If he wanted to find Cassi, he could do it himself. She wasn’t about to tattle on the girl. If she wanted to come home, she would.
Mama Jo settled in her favorite chair to warm her frozen bones and her thoughts wandered to Thomas. A smile followed. The strong, silent one with the biggest heart—a heart that had only ever belonged to one person…and that girl had been too silly to notice.
Well, maybe that would change. She could only hope. An all-over fatigue wore her out, and she closed her eyes. Seemed the need to nap came more and more when before she’d managed on a handful of hours. Growing boys had needed constant supervision. A few minutes of shut-eye sounded just the thing…and then she’d make some chili, because nothing tasted better on a cold day than hot chili.
C ASSI LOCKED HER MOTEL room door, the sharp smell of hair dye still fresh in her nose, and set out for the public library. She was short on funds; and she needed access to a computer. The public library—particularly those of big cities—offered free internet access as well as a convenient place to spend a few hours crafting a new identity. If anyone asked, she could easily pull off the lit grad student excuse, always taking care to have a few classics in her book pile.
She hailed a taxi and stared out the window, glancing at the skyline with a sigh. A storm broiled, kicking up dark ominous clouds that promised snow before the end of the day, and she shivered against the chill coming from the finger-smudged glass. She hadn’t planned to use that bus ticket to Newark until the spring. “Damn you, Tommy,” she muttered before closing her eyes.
The details of downtown Newark were lost on her, but she wasn’t there to sightsee anyway. For the past two years she’d appreciated little of the places she’d traveled. It wasn’t until about six months ago that she’d finally stumbled across a piece of information that was truly useful in her search. There were days she’d lost hope of finding anything. She supposed she had Isaac to thank for the discovery.
Poor Isaac. She felt more than a twinge of guilt for the part she played in his inevitable heartbreak. She shifted in her seat, her mouth tightening at the contempt she’d heard in Tommy’s voice at her deception of Isaac. He didn’t have all the facts. How dare he judge her?
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