Lost And Found by Lorhainne Eckhart

Author:Lorhainne Eckhart [Eckhart, Lorhainne]
Language: eng
Format: epub, mobi
ISBN: 9780987822697
Publisher: www.LorhainneEckhart.com
Published: 0101-01-01T00:00:00+00:00

Chapter 31

Maggie stood alone on the dark porch as Diane left with Sam, Marcie, and a sleeping Kyla. When Sam returned from the barn, his face held an edge she hadn’t seen since first meeting him at the hospital after Marcie’s accident.

Sam didn’t reply when she asked him if he’d found out what was going on with Richard and Dan. He only nodded and then packed Marcie and Kyla up, gesturing to Diane in their cop-talk way of knowing what the other was thinking.

As she watched the light drift out of the barn, she understood Sam’s frustration. Richard could be a stubborn jerk. He’d always been a secretive and selfish bastard who never shared when it came to handling his problems. Those were the words he always used, “his problems.” He’d never ask for help—ever. Even when something came back to bite him in the ass, he still wouldn’t ask for help.

She went inside and closed the door. It was after nine on a school night, and Ryley should have been in bed. She kicked off her shoes and treaded over the Berber carpet in the hallway and stairs. As she approached Ryley’s closed door, her heart was pounding so hard she found it difficult to breathe. She stopped and peeked at the light flickering from under the door, and then it suddenly went dark. He knows I’m standing outside his door.

She shuddered through her fear and made herself knock softly. Without waiting for him to answer, she opened the door and stared at the huddled form snuggled under the quilt. “I saw your light go out, so I know you’re still awake.”

He didn’t answer.

“I love you, Ryley. I just came to say goodnight.”

“Where’s Dad?”

It hurt, his need for his father. She wondered for a moment if he hated her. He didn’t want to be alone with her. What had she done to him? “He’s in the barn; he’ll be in soon. Do you want me to have him come up and say goodnight?”

“No.” He released a loud breath as if he’d been holding it, something that sounded too much like relief. Maggie started to close the door. “Mom? Goodnight.”

Her blood tingled and bubbled up through her heart as she shut her eyes, offering up a silent thank-you. Maybe all was not lost after all. “Thank you, Ryley. Have a good sleep.”

She left the door open a crack and treaded back downstairs. This time, her steps felt lighter, as if she’d overcome a major obstacle.

Richard rummaged through the fridge and pulled out a beer. She never gave him a chance to twist off the cap. She walked right up and wrapped her arms around his waist, burying her head against his chest. The soft cotton of his T-shirt smoothed against her cheek. She listened to the clank as Richard sat the bottle on the counter and held her.

“He said goodnight to me.” Her voice cracked as she tilted her chin up and rested it against his chest.

“Who said goodnight?” Richard appeared confused and distracted by her response.

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