Love's Stormy Gale (Heartsong Presents) by Sowell Lynette

Author:Sowell, Lynette [Sowell, Lynette]
Language: eng
Format: mobi, epub
Publisher: Harlequin
Published: 2013-03-31T21:00:00+00:00

Chapter 11

“Thanks. I had fun.” Olivia shivered in the chilly air as Frank escorted her to her front door. She appreciated his following her home to make sure she arrived all right.

“I did, too. It was nice seeing the town again, even if we missed the play.” Frank’s eyes glowed under the porch light. They’d gone for a drive in his car, past the high school stomping grounds and to the harbor park.

“I can make us some more coffee if you want to stay for a bit. Dad might be up.” She noted her father’s truck in the driveway and wondered about his reaction to Frank.

“Sounds good.”

Olivia’s key turned too easily in the lock, and when she turned to push the door open, she expected to see the glow of lights from the living room and hear the late news show blaring. Pop would be snoring in the easy chair.

Then she saw the bloody tissues on the floor in front of the desk.

“What in the world?” Her pulse leaped into her throat.

Frank stood next to her in the front room. “What’s wrong?”

“I need to find out what happened to Dad.” She gestured to the tissues. Her stomach had tied itself into a knot. “Dad? Where are you?” She checked her phone, which she’d muted. Jonathan had called an hour ago.

Lights were on throughout the downstairs and a full pot of coffee waited on the kitchen counter. The linen closet door was open, and a few towels had fallen to the floor. As Olivia scanned the empty house, pinpricks of dread tingled her spine.

“I need to call Jonathan.” Olivia noticed the answering machine light blinking.

She played the message. “Liv, it’s Jon. I brought your dad to the E.R. tonight. He’s got pneumonia, so they want to keep him.” The phone line crackled. “If you get home before midnight, come to the E.R.—they don’t expect to have a room for him by then. I’ll wait for you.”

Olivia felt chilled to the core at Jonathan’s words, but hearing his voice sent a warmth through her that dulled the cold. Frank’s hand held her elbow.

“I’ll drive you.”

“Thanks. I need to get some things for Dad in case they keep him.” Think, don’t panic, think.

She pounded up the stairs to her father’s room. Olivia couldn’t remember the last time she’d entered the hallowed territory.

The picture of a dark-haired woman wearing a prim sweater and a pearl necklace smiled at Olivia. She ignored the impulse to turn the picture of her mother facedown on the nightstand. Instead, Olivia found one of her dad’s work shirts, some underclothes, pajamas and a pair of pants in the bureau.

He’d kept her mother’s picture. Her mother still smiled at Olivia’s dad each night before he turned in. Was that why he sometimes fell asleep downstairs at night? Why didn’t he just put her photo away for good?

“And if he got rid of your picture, you’d be gone forever.” Olivia shivered and rubbed her arms. She’d have to turn on the heat before she left.

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