Home at Blackberry Hill by Roxanne Rustand

Author:Roxanne Rustand
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Harlequin
Published: 2011-02-15T00:00:00+00:00

CHAPTER TWELVE

THE FOURTH OF JULY. Who knew that this All-Amercan holiday could trigger such strong, mixed feelings?

Six months ago Abby had been planning her wedding for this Fourth of July weekend. Three months later—after every last detail had been planned right down to the flower girl’s lace gloves and the artfully designed appetizers to be passed on silver trays—Jared had left a message on her answering machine. A message, the coward.

Four days later he was on a plane to Cancun for a whirlwind honeymoon with some woman he’d met at a dental convention, leaving Abby to cancel plans and placate her horrified mother.

Abby’s anger at Jared had lasted a week. After that, she’d felt only relieved to escape such a close call with a man she couldn’t trust…coupled with anger at herself for being so utterly, undeniably stupid. She’d completely misjudged him, swayed too easily by his good looks and easy charm. He’d become a long and comfortable habit until they’d both taken it for granted that they’d eventually be picking out silver patterns.

But how could she have missed all the signs of trouble along the way?

“A nickel for your thoughts,” Ethan said over Keifer’s head, from his side of the blanket they’d spread out on the grass.

“Um…the weather. It’s definitely a nice night to be out here.”

“Good weather?” He grinned wryly. “That would certainly account for the grim expression.”

“And, truthfully, I’ve been worrying about Belle all day. What if she’s hurt? Hungry? What if…” She couldn’t bring herself to say the words.

“Keifer and I both went looking again today. We hiked for several hours, and also went out in the truck.” He frowned. “It’s hard to believe she’d take off like that, unless she took out after a rabbit and just went too far to find her way back.”

“If she was a stray long enough, maybe she learned to hunt to stay alive.” Though she’d been so gaunt, she sure hadn’t been very good at it. “And it’s only been a couple days, now. I still have hope.”

Keifer leaned forward to grab a Mountain Dew out of the cooler and swatted at a mosquito with his other hand. He watched a couple of boys saunter past.

“Hey,” the taller redhead said to him without breaking stride.

“Hey.” Keifer’s face fell when the two kept walking.

He settled back on his elbows and stared glumly at the sky. “It’s almost dark. Aren’t the fireworks supposed to start?”

“Another twenty minutes, probably. Do you want a hot dog?” Ethan reached for the back pocket of his faded denims and pulled a five out of his wallet. “Do you want anything, Abby?”

She shook her head. “No thanks.”

She’d been up early and at the hospital by eight this morning, hoping to get done in time to get back to Ethan’s to finally make a supper. Instead, with a multicar pileup out on the highway and short staffing, she’d ended up working until almost eight. Even now, her senses humming with residual adrenaline, the thought of eating made her stomach tense.

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