All in Good Time by Carolyn Astfalk

Author:Carolyn Astfalk [Astfalk, Carolyn]
Language: eng
Format: epub
ISBN: 9780997971835
Publisher: Multa Verba
Published: 0101-01-01T00:00:00+00:00

Chapter 26

The rain stopped and the steel gray skies darkened to an inky black. Brian’s headlights created a glare on the wet roadway as he rolled toward what might as well be his execution, based on the sickening dread pitting in his stomach.

A hint of whiskey lingered on his lips. Did the alcohol have any lingering effects? A dull ache throbbed in his neck. No way could he be under the influence and have this soreness in his neck, his collarbone . . . He shifted his weight, gripping the steering wheel tighter. Even his groin. The pain in his neck . . . this had happened before, after the wine with Melanie—

The lymphoma. That had to be it. The doctor hadn’t said anything about the effects of alcohol, but that had to be it. The stupid disease set off something in his lymph nodes when he drank.

He massaged the soreness in his neck. Good thing he’d stopped at one drink.

The car bumped over the curb in her driveway, and he pulled behind her minivan. All windows on the second floor were dark, but a dim light shone through the living room window. Good. No kids awake.

Brian rolled his neck and shoulders, trying to ease this discomfort. He pocketed his keys and climbed the stairs to her door, his feet leaden.

On the porch, the gooseneck gourds, bumpy and rotting in spots, lay twisted together in a macabre embrace. One side of the pumpkin had caved in, rotten.

Brian clenched his fist and swallowed then gave a light knock. Stepping back to avoid being smacked by the opening door, he glanced up at the hollow socket where the porch light should be.

Tears gathered in his eyes. Why hadn’t he fixed that for her? She needed that light for safety and protection. Why couldn’t he have done that? An ache in his chest joined the one in his neck.

The door swung open, and Melanie waved him in. “You’re finally here!” Her eyes shone bright with excitement and she bounced on her toes.

“Yeah.” His heart leapt into his throat. How could he do this? Brian squared his shoulders and cleared his throat. “The rain slowed down the commute and—”

She launched herself at him, throwing her arms around his neck and pulling him into a warm, delicious, affectionate kiss.

Brian stiffened and tried not to respond, as if participating in the kiss would weaken his resolve.

She slid her hand from behind his head, grazing his aching neck. He willed himself not to flinch. The ache intensified, a good reminder of why he was here.

She pulled away, her hands drifting down his arms until she grasped his fingers. “Now I know something is wrong,” she said, pressing the door closed with her backside. Pulling gently, she led him toward the living room. “Sit and talk to me. But not about poop or superheroes, because I’ve already exceeded the maximum daily allowance on both counts.”

He couldn’t help the smile he let slip, imagining the questions she’d been subjected to today.

Download

Copyright Disclaimer:
This site does not store any files on its server. We only index and link to content provided by other sites. Please contact the content providers to delete copyright contents if any and email us, we'll remove relevant links or contents immediately.