Read Online Twice in a Lifetime (Love Found) by Ruthie Henrick - Free Book Online Page A

toward Allie, snatching a pile of papers before the wind scattered them like confetti.
    “Thanks so much; you’re a lifesaver!” Allie dropped her load onto the passenger seat and then reached around to relieve her rescuer of her burden. “I’m Allie Tate, by the way.” With everything safely stashed, she turned to shake her new friend’s hand.
    Swirling leaves and trash danced their way across the parking lot, caught up in breezy flurries. “I’m Madison Andrews; I teach third. Call me Maddie.” With a welcoming smile, Maddie grasped her hand, her long midnight black hair twirling as puffs of wind blew around them. “This is my first year; I just graduated. How long have you been here?”
    Allie tossed her purse on top of the papers and slammed the car door. Her keys hung from one hand. “This is my first year too. Kindergarten.”
    “So how do you like it so far?” The ends of Maddie’s hair whipped into her face. She caught it in her fist and held it back while she lounged against the fender, settling in for a chat. “I have to admit, I get intimidated, mostly by the parents. Some days I feel like they’re sharks and I’m chum in the water.”
    Allie smiled as she leaned against the car door, amused and jealous of Maddie’s energy at the end of the day.
    “I hate to admit it out loud, but my parents have all been very supportive.” She smiled sheepishly, anchoring her skirt with her arm when the wind threatened to lift it. “I have quite a few of them who volunteer to help out during class.” With the hand holding her keys she motioned toward the worksheets the children completed that day. “Unfortunately the mom who was scheduled for today cancelled.”
    Allie desperately needed to get home, put her feet up. She pushed off the car and edged around Maddie, making sure warmth settled in her voice. “I’m glad I met you today. Maybe tomorrow we can have lunch together.” Allie reached the door and propped it open.
    Maddie’s smile was in her eyes as she pushed herself off the car. “That will be great. School’s been pretty lonely so far.”
    “Tomorrow, then. We can make plans for Saturday. We’re having people over for poker. But you’re warned, we generally last until the wee hours.”
    Maddie grinned and lifted her arm in farewell. “Sounds like fun.”
    Allie slid in behind the wheel as the first fat raindrops fell. Smiled again and waved as she drove away.
    She hoped Jake brought a date this time, but he usually showed up stag to poker. She’d brought up the subject with Ben the night before, but as usual, he told her to back off. Maybe they should just set him up on a blind date. A smile bloomed. Wouldn’t that be fun? And a little like payback.
     

     
    The next week Ben burst through the door in the evening, just as she sat to mark worksheets. It was nearing the end of the week, the end of September. “Hey Al, I’ve got a surprise for you. Throw some warm clothes together. We’re leaving after work tomorrow.”
    Questioning—interrogating—had done her no good. Ben was keeping their destination a secret.
    After nearly an hour on the road she was finally relaxed. “This was a great idea, Ben.” She lay with her head against the seat, eyes closed, tired from a long week herding youngsters. “Like a mini-honeymoon.”
    He reached across the car and smoothed her cheek with his fingers. “The softness of your skin is like velvet against my hand.” The corner of his mouth twitched. “And if you tell Jake I said that I’ll deny it.”
    Allie only smiled, turned to stare out her window, enjoying the ride and the desert scenery as it flew by in the waning afternoon light.
    Wheels hummed as they cruised along the ribbon of patched asphalt, as if singing backup to the country music drifting from the radio. Ben took his eyes off the road long enough to glance her way. “You sure you didn’t mind postponing our wedding trip?”
    She let the peaceful surroundings seep into her.