Read Online Winter Reunion by Roxanne Rustand - Free Book Online

“Community college—and still teaching. I was also an acquaintance of your mother’s, through church.”
    Less pleasant memories, there.
    She cocked her head, studying him. “I hear you’ve led quite a life of adventure.”
    He stiffened, waiting for the hint of censure that he’d always heard as a teenager from those in his mother’s social circle, where the adults engaged in subtle games of one-upmanship when it came to their children’s career choices. Greetings directed at him invariably drifted into questions about his plans to follow in his father’s footsteps…or would it be law instead of medicine?
    Exactly the expectations his family had held for him, until he’d rebelled at the recruiter’s office. His parents had never failed to let him know of their disappointment in him after that, whether through subtle comments or long-suffering sighs.
    He spared Olivia a brief nod, then scooped up another shovelful of debris.
    â€œWe’re all proud of you, you know—and your service to our country. Our pastor names each of our local men and women in the military during our Sunday prayers.”
    At the unexpected note of approval in her voice he paused and looked back at her. If any of the hometown folks had ever noticed his absence, much less been proud of him, his family hadn’t chosen to relay the information. “Thanks.”
    She surveyed the area, then tapped a finger against her lips. “You should get some help, or this cleanup will take forever.”
    â€œI’ve got the time.”
    â€œThe youth group at the Aspen Creek Community Church could do it in a snap,” she said decisively.“They’re always looking for fundraiser projects. Buy them pizza, make a donation to their program, and you’ll have this cleaned up in no time. Though given who your mom was and what she did for them, they’d probably come for free.”
    What she did for the youth group? At church? Olivia had to be confusing Vivian Sloane with someone else.
    She laughed aloud. “From your expression, I get the feeling you didn’t know your mom very well in her later years.”
    â€œI haven’t been around here much since I enlisted. We…didn’t always see eye to eye.”
    â€œSomething she always regretted, no matter what you might think.” Olivia drew closer and rested a slender hand on his shoulder. “I believe she once said that you two were too much alike.”
    He stifled a snort at that. Country club events and golf tournaments had certainly been his focus all right, to the exclusion of everything else…like a bothersome child.
    â€œI think she mentioned ‘stubborn’ and ‘independent’ once or twice, but my memory could be wrong.” Olivia winked. “I guess I’d better be going. Maybe I’ll see you in church Sunday?”
    He shrugged. Not likely.
    She waggled the tips of her fingers in farewell as she left, leaving him to count the number of times he’d been asked about church in the past twenty-four hours.
    Barring a few of the newer people in town, everyone he’d encountered seemed to recognize his name whenever he stopped at a store or gas station. They offeredcondolences about his parents and dredged up pleasantries about how much they were missed in these parts. And then they assumed Dev would be slipping into the traditional Sloane pew, right up front.
    But he’d seen too much, learned too much over the years to ever be able to resume that falsely pious family role again.
    Maybe God watched over the good folks of Aspen Creek, but He sure hadn’t followed Dev to the Middle East or into the halls of Walter Reed. And if He hadn’t stepped in when Dev had needed Him most, He certainly wouldn’t care about what happened now.
    The cell phone on his belt clip vibrated. He lifted it and glanced at the caller ID, trying to ignore the instant rush of