High Plains Heartbreak by Simone Beaudelaire

Author:Simone Beaudelaire [Beaudelaire, Simone]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Creativia
Published: 2018-12-18T18:00:00+00:00

Part II

Chapter 10

Four months later.

“Ad-die,” Beth called in a melodious voice. “Addie, where are you? I have news.”

Huddled miserably in the shade of a large evergreen, Addie gagged, wiped her mouth and tried to will herself to stop vomiting. She did not succeed.

“Addie, are you here?”

A hot, dry wind blew over her sweaty forehead and cut through her dress, pelting her with dust.

“Oh, Addie,” Beth said, placing a hand on the back of her neck. How does she stay so cool in the heat? The touch soothed the girl and at last her gagging subsided. “Come on, honey, get up. Let's get you back inside. I'll make you some tea to settle your stomach.”

Moving slowly so as not to upset her still protesting guts any further, Addie shuffled into the house. What will happen now? Will she throw me out? Will I have to make my way alone… and not alone? What will become of us? Panic nearly sent her churning belly into open revolt. Swallowing convulsively, she allowed Beth to lead her to the sofa near the window. Addie shivered and took slow, deep breaths, trying to squelch the urge to gag. If you start again, you might not be able to stop. Remember the last time? The last time when she'd gagged and heaved for nearly an hour before she could get control of herself.

Pushing all thought away, Addie stared blankly into the woods, watching the fragrant pines dance around in a hot, stale breeze while Beth clanked and clattered as she puttered around in the kitchen.

In a surprisingly short amount of time, not even enough for Addie to stop shuddering completely, a delicate china cup filled with unsweetened black tea landed in her hands. Ignoring manners and finesse, she clutched the cup and lifted it unsteadily to her lips.

“Don't you think it's about time,” Beth said gently, “to admit you're in a family way, sweetie?”

Addie squeezed her eyes shut and dipped her chin in a single, miserable nod.

Beth laid a hand on Addie's back, rubbing up and down. “Try not to panic. I know how scary this is.”

“You do?” Addie met her aunt's eyes and saw moisture sparkling in the corners. Beth smiled a sad, sad smile.

“Yes. When I was sixteen, a boy told me he loved me, and then took advantage of me.”

“He didn't…” Addie interrupted, but Beth held up her hand, asking for patience.

“When my parents found out, they gave me two choices. I could go to the home for unwed mothers and they would allow me to come back… after. Or I could leave for good.”

Addie gulped. Was that the choice Beth was presenting her? Her heart clenched.

“I have no doubt what I would have ended up doing if I'd chosen to leave, and I didn't want that. So I went to the home.” The sorrow in Beth's eyes told the rest of the story.

“That must have been horrible,” Addie said, biting down on her lower lip.

Beth nodded. “It was,” she replied. “But it was probably the best option for the child.

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