Dare to Love by Laurie Ryan

Author:Laurie Ryan
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: contemporary romance series, pirate romance
Publisher: L&M Enterprises
Published: 2021-09-13T00:00:00+00:00

Chapter Thirteen

Thirty-six hours and some serious begging later, along with her savings account pretty much drained, Gail arrived home. She let herself in, dropped her bags, switched her phone off, and slumped onto the couch. Pulling a comforter over her, she lay there in a tight ball, one hand on her stomach, the other wiping tears that refused to dry from her face. It took a while, but she finally drifted off into merciful slumber.

When she awoke, the fog didn’t lift easily. Gail reached up to stop the hammer that was driving into her skull, one knock at a time. Except it didn’t hurt. She touched different points on her head. No pain. When she opened her eyes, only the curtained light of day filtering in told her time had passed. Her suitcases stood unopened just inside the door where she’d left them.

She missed Pappy. And she wasn’t relishing the explanation she’d have to give Julia in order to pick him up today. Still, it would be good to have him home. He seemed to be the only male who could love her unconditionally.

Sitting up, she heard the insistent pounding again. It was coming from the door. Gail stumbled out of the blanket, off the couch, and over to the offending portal.

“Who is it?” she grumbled.

“Gail, it’s me. Julia. Let me in.”

Gail groaned. How the hell did Julia even know she was home?

She flipped the lock and opened the door just as a wave of nausea hit her. She barely made it to the bathroom, an exuberant Pappy tight on her heels.

When she walked out a few minutes later, her living room had transformed itself from a tomb to something that resembled functional. The comforter sat serenely on the back of the couch, the drapes were open and San Diego sunlight streamed in. Plus, her suitcases...and her friend were nowhere to be found.

She found Julia in her bedroom, unpacking. Taking the makeup bag out of Julia’s hand, Gail tossed it on the bed. “I don’t need you to unpack for me.”

Julia, wisely, didn’t take her to task for the nasty tone. She patted Gail on the shoulder. “Come on. Tea should just about be ready. Let’s take it out on deck.”

Since Gail’s apartment was on the second floor, her deck was more like a large step. There was just enough room for the little bistro set she’d found on clearance at the local hardware store. It baked in the afternoon, being on the west side of the apartment complex. But now, in the shade of mid-morning, it was comfortable.

“How are you feeling?” Julia asked.

“Fine.”

Julia arched an eyebrow.

“No. Really. I’m fine. Probably just jet lag from all the recent flying I’ve done. Not something I’d recommend to, well, to anyone.” Gail laughed, trying to steer her friend in a safer direction.

A few long moments of silence passed before the just-right warmth of San Diego worked its magic and Gail felt more like her old self. She turned to Julia. “How’d you know I was back?”

“Hmmm.

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