A Turn in the Road by Debbie Macomber

Author:Debbie Macomber
Language: eng
Format: mobi, epub
Tags: Contemporary Women, Contemporary, Fiction, Romance, General, Women
ISBN: 9780778329831
Publisher: MIRA
Published: 2011-04-26T00:00:00+00:00

With Bethanne and Annie shopping, Ruth stayed in their hotel room alone. She’d made her excuses and was grateful for this time by herself. She sat on the bed and fingered the paper Annie had given her. The paper on which her granddaughter had written down Royce’s phone number. She hadn’t decided what to do.

Thankfully, neither Bethanne nor Annie had pressured her about contacting him, although both seemed to think she should. Bethanne had said something that made a lot of sense. If she called Royce now, she wouldn’t have that confrontation awaiting her when she arrived and she’d be able to enjoy the rest of the trip.

Every mile that brought her closer to Florida, closer to Royce, increased her anxiety.

She needed to do this—and she didn’t want Bethanne and Annie hearing her conversation. Although she sort of wished someone was with her now to hold her hand, to encourage her and to offer comfort if it went badly. This was really difficult, so much more difficult than she’d ever expected.

She took the hotel phone from the nightstand next to the bed, stretching the cord so she could set it beside her. She smoothed out the slip of paper, running her hand over it two or three times. Finally, she reached for the receiver, following the instructions in order to place a long-distance call.

A minute after that, the phone rang at the other end.

It rang again as she held her breath. Again.

Then Royce answered. “Hello.”

Despite all the years since they’d spoken, she recognized his voice.

She couldn’t speak.

“Hello?” he repeated.

“Royce?” Somehow she managed to whisper his name.

“Yes? Who is this?”

His own voice fell, and Ruth was fairly certain he already knew the answer.

“It’s Ruth.” The silence was terrible. “I heard you planned to attend the class reunion,” she said.

“Yes.”

“I…I thought it was only fair that you know I’ll be there, too. Actually, my daughter-in-law and granddaughter felt I should warn you.” At first, she couldn’t utter a word, and now she couldn’t seem to shut up. “We’re driving across the country…. We’re in Branson and we— Oh, none of that’s important.”

The silence on his end of the line returned and Ruth was convinced she’d made a mistake.

“Would you rather I didn’t attend the reunion?” he asked after another long moment.

“Oh, no…I mean, yes. I want you there. I’d really hoped we’d have a chance to talk first, though…if you agree.”

More silence. Ruth couldn’t stand the tension.

Eventually, he spoke. “I think that would be a good idea. Call me when you get into town, okay?”

“Yes…I’ll do that.” Her hand squeezed the phone so hard, she thought her fingers might leave indentations.

“Ruth?”

“Yes?”

“I’m glad you called.”

The tension between her shoulders eased. “I am, too.”

She replaced the receiver, but her hand lingered on it for several minutes as she considered their short conversation. Already she felt better. Setting the phone back on the nightstand, she nearly collapsed against the pillows.

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