AllFreeNovel
Share Us
Meaning, if I’m right, approaching me that night at Charlie’s had to have taken everything in her.
Wow. I should be taken out and horsewhipped, shot, and left for dead.
Too violent? Too extreme?
Sorry, but my thoughts run along the tracks they do. I couldn’t help it if I tried.
Withdrawing my hand, I lean into the door. The more space she has, the better. I watch her, a million questions tingling on my tongue, but I’m not moron enough to believe she’d confide in me. Of all people.
Let’s try this again. Carefully, I remove business card number two from my shirt pocket, extending it between my fingers. “The number on the front is to Ben’s office, and he told me to add his cell number. It’s written on the back. He’s going to be out of town most of next week, so he said to please call him this weekend. He’ll meet you at his office, and you can talk.”
On cue, there’s the caution, this time flaring at the mention of meeting with Ben. Again, how have I missed it? What happened to Hollie?
My gut twists into a knot, none of the scenarios my mind conjures very palatable.
Suddenly, what I want more than anything is to see her laugh and smile as she did when the fuzzball Blakely wriggled in her arms.
I swipe on the gentlest smile I know how. “It’s alright, Hollie. Ben’s a great guy, and you won’t have the same trouble with him.”And he’s safe.
“Trouble?”
“Aw, don’t play dumb for my benefit. We both know I’m an obnoxious son of a gun.”
A small smile flutters about her mouth. “Well, you’re not the worst I’ve ever met…”
“Darn near.”
For a fleeting heartbeat, her eyes join with the smile that’s on her lips. “Thank you, John.” Her gaze drifts to the window. “And I’m sorry about—”
“I’m the one who should be apologizing. I know I’m a bit intense sometimes. Sorry.” Intense is a nice way of putting it. And three apologies in one night? It’s like the aliens have landed and commandeered my brain.
Hollie’s gorgeous hair is escaping its band and wisping around her even prettier face. She looks spent, and I just want…to hold her. And if she held me back…
I clear my throat. “Okay. So. You’ll call Ben, right?”
She flicks the card against her palm. “I don’t have much of a choice, do I?”
“We all have choices. Calling Ben is the right one, in this case. Promise.”
She nods slowly.
“I added my number, too.” I edge nearer. “Hollie, if there’s ever anything I can do for you…” The thought stumbles, because the guy who had a shot at being a hero ducked out of the game a long time ago.
She shakes her head. “You’ve done enough already, John.”
Yep. Help served up with a side of grief.
She climbs out of my car and closes the door. I make sure she gets inside safely and wait until the living room brightens. I doubt I’ll be hearing from Hollie again, and as I drive away, my big old car feels like a giant void.
Ten minutes later, pulling up to a vacant driveway and a dark house,Ifeel empty. Nothing new there, but only on rare occasions do I let the feelings run their course.
Tonight is one of those nights.
Chapter 8
Hollie
Ben Wilson’s office is in the middle of downtown Chandor. Like all the buildings on the old courthouse square, the attorney’s office is old, only in this case, recently refurbished. The parking lot was full when I arrived, thanks to the Whistlestop Diner next door doing a brisk after-church business.
