AllFreeNovel
Share Us
The years she’d spent in Africa, she’d been hiding in the shadows of the past. Her loss had become almost comfortable. It had defined her life. Ever since she’d discovered her son dead in his crib, she’d examined those final hours, those final words, those final acts, until the darkness took over and her life had narrowed down to one single point of light. She hadn’t moved forward since.
Until now.
She’d stepped forward into the sunlight. She’d leaped back into life and felt joy once more. Only now could she look with gratitude at the happiness Jeffrey’s short life had given her. The innocence of those few months they’d shared would always be with her. The memories of holding him and nursing him, so pure and perfect. And loving him with all her heart.
Now she was going to have another child to love. She wanted to laugh when she recalled how shockedand unhappy she’d been when she first realized she was pregnant. She wasn’t unhappy now. This baby had given her life purpose—a reason to look forward to each new tomorrow.
“I thought you were going to wait for me,” David said breathlessly, running up to her, wearing his new jogging outfit. He slowed his steps to match hers, stopped and braced his hands on his knees while he caught his breath. “How do I look?” he asked.
“Like an Olympic athlete,” she said.
David would have laughed if he’d had the energy, Molly guessed. “That’s what I like about you,” he said, gasping for breath, “your ability to lie so convincingly.”
Molly smiled, squinting into the sunlight.
“How about something to drink,” he suggested.
“Sure.”
He walked her to a café across the street from the park and ordered lattes for both of them. They sat at one of the outside tables.
“I’ve got two tickets for the gala production ofLes Miserablesfor Saturday evening,” David said casually.
It wasn’t the first time he’d hinted that he’d like to take her out. Until now, Molly had declined, but the expectant look in his eyes stopped her. She hated to disappoint him.
David had become a good friend in the past six weeks. They’d never officially dated—Molly was uncomfortable with that—but they often walked in the park and occasionally their schedules coincided so they ate lunch together in the hospital cafeteria. But that had been the extent of it.
Molly feared that if she openly dated David, the hospitalstaff might assume he was her baby’s father, and she didn’t want to burden him with gossip.
“I’m starting to show a little,” she said, answering his suggestion with a comment.
“Does it bother you to be seen with me in public?”
She shook her head. “No, of course not.”
“Then why the hesitation? These are great tickets.”
David deserved her honesty. “I’m afraid someone might think you’re the father and I don’t want to do anything to taint your reputation.”
David laughed outright at that. “I’ve been waiting years for someone to taint my pristine reputation. Come on, Molly, let’s live dangerously. You’ll love the play, and we could both use a night out.”
“Well…”
“I just finished a seven-minute mile, and I told myself when I could do that I was going to treat myself to something special.”
“You mean the play?”
“No,” he said, taking her hand. “A date with you. You’ll go with me, won’t you?”
Although she wasn’t convinced she was doing the right thing, Molly agreed. She was lonely, and David was her friend.
* * *
Jordan wasn’t really interested in attending this play. He’d purchased the tickets six months earlier because Lesley had told him how badly she wanted to seeLes Miserables.
He’d phoned and reminded her about the tickets, planning to ask if she wanted the pair herself. It was the first time they’d talked, outside of business, in sixweeks. She was the one who’d suggested they attend the play together, and Jordan figured he owed her that much. Perhaps he’d agreed because he was lonely.
The past six weeks had been difficult. Molly hadn’t wanted to see him, and he’d abided by her wishes. And yet…he continually toyed with the idea of making one last-ditch effort to settle their differences.
