Stranger in a Small Town by Margaret Watson

Author:Margaret Watson
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Harlequin
Published: 2007-10-15T00:00:00+00:00

RANDY MORRIS SLUMPED in the front seat of his mother’s car, dizzy and sick to his stomach. Putting the vodka in his water bottle had been really dumb.

And he was stupid for getting busted. Now he was out of school for a week, and there was no way his mom would let him out of the house. How was he going to see Jenna? He sneaked a glance at his mom. She looked sad, and his stomach twisted again.

“How could you do this, Randy?”

He squirmed on the seat. He hated when she sounded disappointed. Why couldn’t she just yell at him and get it over with? “I don’t know.”

“You don’t know?” Her voice rose. “You just decided this morning to put vodka in your water bottle for no particular reason?”

“I guess.”

“Where did you get it?” she asked.

“One of the guys.”

“Which guy?”

Did she really think he was going to tell her? He gave her an incredulous look. He hadn’t told the dean. He wasn’t about to rat out Chet to his mom. “I don’t remember.”

“You don’t remember or you’re not going to tell me?”

He didn’t answer.

She stopped at a red light and looked at him. He squirmed again when he saw the pity in her face. “Your friend doesn’t deserve your loyalty,” she said in that quiet voice. “He isn’t the one who got in trouble, is he?”

The light changed. “You know your father is an alcoholic.”

“Yeah, yeah.” He’d been glad when the old man had left. It was scary when he drank.

“That means even when you’re an adult, you have to be careful about drinking.” She swiped the back of her hand over her eyes. “You’re scaring me,” she whispered. “Drinking in school. During the day. And you’re only sixteen. Why did you do it?”

He stared out the window, his eyes stinging. The vodka had seemed like a good idea this morning. Jenna had called him late last night, crying, and he’d had no idea what to do.

They pulled into the parking lot at the clinic, and he sat up. “What are we doing here?”

“I can’t leave you at home alone until I search the house,” his mom said. “I’m afraid you have more liquor hidden there. You’re going to stay here the rest of the day.”

She made it sound as if he were some kind of criminal, he thought, slamming the car door. At least Jenna would be working later this afternoon.

When they walked in the front door, Dr. Macauley was talking to her nurse. Dr. Mac turned around. “Hi, Randy,” she said, her gaze probing.

Feeling his face flame red, he mumbled, “Hi.” He knew Jenna had told her about the baby, but he didn’t think he’d had to face Dr. Mac so soon.

“I didn’t want to leave him alone at home,” his mom said. “Is it okay if he stays here until I leave?”

“Of course.” Dr. Mac smiled. “There’s an extra desk in my office, Randy. You can use it if you want to do your homework.”

“Thanks,” he said.

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