When the Music Stops by Paddy Eger

Author:Paddy Eger
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Tendril Press an imprint of A J Business Design
Published: 2015-02-23T05:00:00+00:00

10

Marta looked out from her window seat, mid-plane. Her flight last spring she’d hardly known who she was or where she was headed. She’d flown to visit Bartley in the private clinic in Pennsylvania. How had Bartley allowed her diet pills to overtake her life? Seeing her so frail and unable to overcome her problems made Marta shiver. She missed her every day. Such a waste. Marta thanked herself for not allowing those same pills to ruin her life.

Despite her disappointing Steve, this trip to Billings promised to be a happy experience. She’d make time to see Lynne, Mrs. B., and the little girls and then talk things through with Steve. She might visit Madame as well, once she heard how the little girls danced during the Nutcracker performances.

The flight through clouds and rain provided time for Marta to consider her future. Steve looked ahead to his career as a newspaper reporter. She needed to decide how long she’d stay with Lindsay or if she wanted to leave. What if Steve ended up on the east coast? Would she move to be near where his plans took him? Maybe.

Deplaning, she moved with the crush of passengers into the small terminal and toward the baggage claim. She spotted Steve standing as close to the gate doorway as possible, holding a small bouquet of daisies and roses. His smile reassured her their relationship survived her slip-up with Dennis.

Her knees turned to gelatin as she stepped into his embrace.

“Finally.” Steve held her tightly, then released her to arm’s length before pulling her back into a hug. “I didn’t think you’d ever get here. I’ve missed you.”

“I missed you too.” Tears slid down her face and onto his overcoat.

He handed her the flowers, then grabbed her free hand and towed her through the terminal.

The crush of people waiting around the luggage pick-up area provided time for them to stand to one side to exchange guarded smiles, warm embraces, and gentle kisses.

Steve whispered in her ear, “God, you’re beautiful, Marta. I look at your photo ten times a day, but seeing you here, I realize I’ve missed you.”

Marta remembered the comfort of melding into his hug and nodded in fear that speaking would break the spell or that she’d wake up and find everything so far had been a lovely dream.

When Steve had snagged her bag, he pulled her hand, dragging her through the airport at a near run. “Let’s get back to my folks’ place. I have a surprise waiting for you.”

“What surprise?”

“You’ll find out shortly. Just hurry!”

A blast of arctic air hit Marta in the face as they exited the terminal. She buttoned her gray winter coat, the one Steve gave her last year, and tied her red scarf around her neck. As they crossed the parking lot, she spotted Steve’s trusty Chevy. When he landed a good paying job he’d be able to afford the Thunderbird he’d always wanted—if he still wanted it.

Once they reached his family’s home, he whisked her

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