After a Broken Heart by C. Deanne Rowe

Author:C. Deanne Rowe
Language: eng
Format: epub
ISBN: 9781946122537
Publisher: C. Deanne Rowe

CHAPTER TWENTY-TWO

RACHAEL

Glancing at the faces around the room, Rachel decided it was time to begin. Jim, Tasha, and Thomas were here, but Alder wasn’t. He hadn’t told her he wouldn’t be. There could be a million reasons why he hadn’t made it. The only obvious reason was sitting in the chair across from her.

“We’re going to go ahead and start the meeting.” Rachael interrupted the small talk. “As you all can see, we have a new person joining us this week. I’d like to introduce her to you. This is Heather Carter.”

“Welcome, Heather,” Thomas was the first to greet her. Tasha was next, and a reluctant Jim smiled, nodded, and said, “Welcome.”

“Where’s Alder?” Tasha asked.

“I’m not sure,” Rachael said. “I’m sure he’ll be here soon. Until then, I thought we would go around the room and talk about what all of you have done lately. If you conquered any hurdles in your way.”

“Heather, why don’t you go first? We’d all like to hear about you and why you’re here.” Tasha adjusted in her seat so she could see Heather better.

“Sorry, I’m late.” Alder entered the room carrying a couple of boxes from Felicity’s Bakery. “There was a huge crowd at the bakery. I knew if I showed up empty-handed, Tasha would have been unhappy.”

“Have I told you how much I love you, Alder Miller?”

Rachael laughed at Tasha completely losing focus when Alder walked into the room with treats. She jumped up from her chair and joined him at the table against the wall.

“You brought my favorites.” Tasha patted his back.

“Which ones are your favorites?” Alder asked.

“All of them.” She laughed. “Come join us. We have someone new this week.” Tasha took Alder’s arm. “This is Heather Carter. She was just going to tell us all about herself.” Tasha sat down as Alder took a chair next to Rachael.

“I’m sorry I interrupted you, Heather. Go ahead and tell us about yourself,” Tasha said.

“Why doesn’t someone else go first?” Rachael suggested. “Heather is new here, and I doubt she knows exactly what to say or do.”

“What if I go first?” Alder held up his hand.

“Sure. Go ahead.” Rachael smiled, thankful he stepped up, taking the pressure off Heather.

Alder removed his hat, placed it on his knee, and then rubbed the back of his neck.

Was he stalling? She could almost hear his thoughts crashing together. She wanted to say something to break the brief silence. But what?

“Y’all have heard me talk about the reason I joined the group. Hell, y’all probably know more about me than anyone else in my life.” He glanced around the room. “Heather Carter is my Heather.”

“You mean she’s the woman who broke your heart by running off to New York?” Tasha’s mouth hung open.

“Yes.” Alder nodded.

“I can see why you’ve been so upset she left you.” Thomas inspected Heather up and down. “I’d be damn upset if she left me.”

“Women are all the same, Thomas. It doesn’t matter what they look like. They’ll take you for everything you’ve got, then leave you broken-hearted.

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