The Other Laura by Lynn Sheryl

Author:Lynn, Sheryl [Lynn, Sheryl]
Language: eng
Format: mobi, epub
Tags: Suspense
ISBN: 9780373223671
Publisher: Silhouette Intrigue
Published: 2009-07-08T23:04:54+00:00

Chapter Eight

“Mama?”

The mouse-soft whisper wrenched Laura’s heart. She rolled over on the bed. Fumbling at the bedside, she found the lamp and turned it on. Her daughter hung back at the edge of the pale gold-tinged light. “Hello, Abby. How was summer camp today?”

“I knocked, Mama.” Abby teeny-tiny baby-stepped toward the bed. She clutched her hands together over her tummy. Her big eyes were scared and worried. “I knocked lots and lots, but you didn’t answer.”

“I didn’t hear you, honey. I was sleeping. I’m sorry.” Sighing, feeling as if her limbs weighed a thousand pounds apiece, she dragged herself upright and fluffed a pillow. Sitting up made her a little dizzy, and she glanced guiltily at her untouched lunch tray. She patted the mattress beside her. “Come on up.”

Abby climbed onto the bed. Laura wrapped an arm around the child’s shoulders. Abby said, “You didn’t go swimming today.”

“I didn’t feel like swimming.”

“You didn’t swim yesterday and yesterday afore that. You won’t come for supper. Mrs. Weatherbee says you got vapors. What are vapors? Are you sick, Mama?”

She wished she was vapor and could disappear. She wanted to go away. Dig a hole in a desert and bury herself. “I’m not sick. Don’t you worry about me, honey. I’m fine.”

Huge tears rolled down Abby’s cheeks.

Laura hugged her tighter. “I swear, I’m not sick! I’m okay, really.”

“You gonna go back in the hospital?”

Deep and horrifying shame washed through Laura. Wallowing in misery was stupid and self-pitying, but harmed no one. Playing the not-so-noble martyr, staying out of Ryder’s way, harmed nothing and accomplished nothing except to give her more fuel for the embers of selfpity. But frightening a little girl was inexcusable. Even if Ryder didn’t want a wife, Abby desperately needed a mother.

“Here, snuggle with me.” She scooted down and hugged Abby to her belly. She pulled the coverlet over both of them. Abby smelled of sweet baby-sweat and crayons and fabric softener. “Mama’s a little sad right now, that’s all, honey.”

“Why are you sad, Mama?”

“It’s...it’s a grown-up thing.”

“Daddy’s sad, too. Are you sad like him?”

“What do you mean?”

Abby shrugged. She fiddled restlessly with the appliquéd trim on the coverlet. “I dunno. He just looks sad. And he didn’t laugh at my riddle. He always laughs at my riddles.”

Laura’s chest tightened. Her eyes burned. She rocked them both, seeking comfort from her baby’s warm, solid little body. Abby deserved so much. A good home, a good education, parents who loved her, cherished her, kept her safe and taught her right from wrong.

Sad parents who avoided each other, hurt each other, threatened each other and refused to laugh at a little girl’s jokes—that she didn’t deserve.

“You make me feel better,” she whispered against Abby’s ear.

Abby giggled and squirmed.

“You’re the best reason for living in the whole wide world.”

“That tickles, Mama!” She scratched at her ear. Wriggling, she turned in Laura’s arms and pulled the covers to her nose.

Speaking soft and low, Laura asked Abby again about her day. The little girl happily

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