Read Online You Belong To Me by Patricia Sargeant - Free Book Online Page B

heavy. I’m glad I sent all of my belongings ahead with the movers.” She lifted the knapsack onto her shoulders, freeing her hands. She pulled her hair away from the bag, and the ebony cloud resettled around her shoulders. “Where are you parked?”
    â€œThis way. How’s Simone?” Malcolm adjusted his long strides to accommodate Nicole’s steps. He felt her stiffen as he cupped her elbow, but he held firm. He wanted Nicole to know he wouldn’t let her ignore him or brush him aside as she had before.
    â€œShe’s doing fine so far. The surgery went well. Now we’re praying she doesn’t develop any antibodies against the transplant.”
    â€œHow long before you know?” Malcolm released her arm and walked onto the moving platform behind her.
    With her long, slender legs encased in dark blue jeans, a stoplight-red parka, and black knapsack, she looked like the college student he’d fallen in love with eleven years ago.
    â€œMost organ rejections occur within the first three months after surgery.”
    Nicole rattled off additional facts about kidney transplants. The wealth of information indicated the extensive research she’d done on her cousin’s condition. Her nervous chatter revealed her family still had cause for concern.
    â€œI’ll add my prayers to yours,” he said, and finally was rewarded with a smile.
    â€œThank you,” she tossed over her shoulder. “I also appreciate your waiting until after the surgery for me to come to California. That meant a lot to me.”
    â€œI understand.”
    They stepped off the moving platform and continued toward the garage. Malcolm held open the door to the parking level, then escorted her to his Honda Accord. He deactivated the alarm, which automatically unlocked the doors. Before he could move to help her, Nicole had tossed her knapsack into the back and had slid onto the front passenger seat. Malcolm climbed into the driver’s seat and started the car.
    â€œHow’s Lynnie?” he asked as they fastened their seat belts.
    â€œShe’s doing a bit better now that she knows when her mother’s coming home. The sad dreams seemed to have gone away.”
    â€œI’m glad.”
    â€œSo are we.” Nicole turned toward him with another smile. “Lynnie’s now planning for her birthday, which is more than three months away. You’re invited, by the way. But I’m sure she’ll understand if you’re not able to attend.”
    Malcolm stared at Nicole, touched and pleased that her goddaughter would extend a party invitation to him. “I would be honored.”
    A myriad of expressions crossed her face. He could tell she hadn’t expected him to accept Lynnie’s invitation, and now she regretted extending it. He also identified the moment she realized she couldn’t disinvite him. Smiling to himself, Malcolm shifted his Honda into reverse and pulled out of the parking garage.
    â€œYour furniture arrived Thursday,” he said, breaking the awkward silence. “You arranged everything really fast.”
    â€œI’ve been planning this for a while,” Nicole said, speaking toward the window. “I’ve been hoping a company would want to buy the movie rights to InterDimensions. Once one did, I knew I’d have to relocate for the production. It was just a matter of when it would all come together.”
    â€œYou didn’t exactly make it an offer a company couldn’t refuse.” He pulled to a stop at a traffic light and turned to look at her. “You and your movie rights or nothing at all. That’s a tough sell.”
    She arched a slim, winged eyebrow at him. “You took it.”
    â€œYes, I did.” He pushed down on the accelerator as traffic moved with the green light. Silence ensued again as they drove toward the apartment Malcolm had rented for her.
    He wondered what Nicole was thinking as she