A Candle for Nick by Lorna Michaels

Author:Lorna Michaels
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Silhouette
Published: 2006-02-15T00:00:00+00:00

In spite of Kent’s reassurance, Mallory was nervous about letting Nick go. Even a phone call to her parents didn’t completely allay her fears, but Nick already knew about the trip. He and Jeremy had been talking all week about seeing Jeremy’s pet corgi, driving past the Alamo and the dozens of other things they’d cram into the weekend. If she told him no at this point, he’d be devastated. He was counting the hours until Friday afternoon when Jeremy returned from his clinic appointment and they could be on their way.

Mallory tried to concentrate on plans for her own “weekend off.” She’d indulge herself with a shopping trip—at least a window-shopping trip—to the Galleria, take in the newest exhibit at the Museum of Fine Arts, maybe see a movie. Lord, she hadn’t been to a movie in months; theaters were rife with germs. She’d pick out a chick flick, something light and fluffy. She looked through the newspaper and found a new Julia Roberts movie that sounded perfect. By Thursday night she’d actually convinced herself she was looking forward to the weekend.

When Friday afternoon came, Nick dragged his duffel bag to the door, hurried back to his room to see if he’d forgotten anything, then sat by the window, tapping his foot impatiently. At four o’clock the Spellmans finally arrived.

“You have my phone number here and my cell phone, right?” Mallory asked nervously after Nick had given her an offhand hug and climbed into the backseat.

“On my PDA, in my purse, in the glove compartment, tattooed on my wrist,” Tamara said. “He’ll be fine. Say goodbye now.”

Mallory laughed. “’Bye.”

She watched them drive away and went inside. Forty-eight hours all to herself.

Two hours later she wondered how she’d get through the next forty-six. Bored and anxious, she turned on the six o’clock news. A traffic accident, a robbery at a convenience store, the prediction of a strong chance of rain—

The doorbell rang.

Mallory shot out of the chair and across the room. Something had happened. They were bringing Nick back! Sweat already pouring down her back, she yanked the door open.

Kent stood in the doorway.

Not Nick. She sagged against the wall, her legs threatening to fold under her. Black specks floated before her eyes.

Kent reached for her. “Mallory, what’s wrong?”

She waved him away. “Nothing.” She blinked hard and the tiny dots faded. She straightened but kept her hand on the door for support. “I thought something had happened to Nick.”

“Sorry I scared you. I should have called first.”

Mallory laughed weakly. “That would’ve scared me just as much.” She blinked again. “You…you’re not supposed to be here. I thought you were in Atlanta.”

“I decided to come back early.”

Still a little dazed, she frowned. “But what are you doing here?”

“Thought you might like a little support, Mom, with Nick gone for the first time.” He smiled at her. “Looks like I was right. May I come in?”

“Oh, sorry. Sure.” She stepped aside as he crossed the threshold. She didn’t want his body to brush hers.

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