Stranded For The Holidays. Lisa Carter

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      It was the light filtering through the gingham curtain that awakened AnnaBeth. Curled beneath the gorgeous blue-and-white quilt, she felt as cozy as a cat. And as reluctant to move.

      A kaleidoscope of yesterday’s events bombarded her memory. Scott and MaryDru. Her frantic flight, the snowstorm and the subsequent rescue by Jonas.

      Grabbing her recharged phone off the nightstand, she discovered multiple texts awaiting her. Frantic messages from MaryDru, Scott and at least a dozen from Victoria.

      A message from MaryDru said, I’m so, so sorry. I never meant to fall in love with Scott. Please don’t hate me. Where are you, A.B.?

      She sucked in a breath. As if she could ever hate her beloved baby sister. And she knew MaryDru would’ve never set out to hurt her. Nor Scott, either.

      AnnaBeth scrolled farther down the feed. Another one from Mary Dru. Tell me you’re okay. I’m so worried, A.B. Please call. Scott and I will never see one another again.

      Not at all what AnnaBeth wanted. MaryDru’s happiness was why she’d run away in the first place.

      She opened Scott’s message.

      Contrite, sincere Scott. Taking the blame for waiting so long to be honest with himself and her. Begging for her forgiveness. Promising to never see MaryDru again if AnnaBeth would just come home.

      Sinking onto the pillow, she closed her eyes. Scott had been a fixture in their lives. The son her father always wanted. Like a brother to her. She now suspected that had been the problem all along.

      Yet when he’d looked at MaryDru at the church...

      Perhaps no one would ever look at AnnaBeth that way, but she wouldn’t stand by and allow MaryDru to miss her chance at true love.

      Rolling onto her stomach, AnnaBeth texted Scott. Nothing to forgive. I want you both to be happy. Don’t give up on MaryDru. Tell her I’m safe and well.

      She hit Send. There. That would hopefully get them talking to each other again.

      The chain of messages from Victoria mocked her. But without a fortifying cup of coffee, no way she was up to facing those. She turned off the phone.

      With one glance at the bedside clock, she threw off the covers. After donning jeans and one of her favorite sweaters, she padded downstairs in her stockinged feet, eager to lend a hand, but she found Deirdre almost finished with breakfast preparations.

      “Deirdre, I’m so sorry. I meant to help with breakfast, but I overslept.”

      Jonas’s mother stirred the pot on the stove. “After yesterday, I’m sure you were completely wiped out.” After setting the ladle on a ceramic spoon rest, she replaced the lid on the pot. “And not only physically.”

      AnnaBeth wrung her hands. “But I wanted to do something to repay you for your generosity.”

      Deirdre’s gaze scanned her face. Her eyes were kind. “No need to repay us. It’s our pleasure to have you here for as long as you need us.”

      AnnaBeth wasn’t so sure. Despite Jonas’s words last night, she seemed to get on his last nerve. Maybe if she could manage to stay out of his way as much as possible for the duration...

      “I’m not so sure your son would agree with your open-ended hospitality, Deirdre.”

      “My son doesn’t mean to come off so harsh.” She glanced out the window that overlooked the barnyard. “As a child, Jonas was always my quiet little guy, but after what happened with Hunter’s mother, he’s become so withdrawn.”

      What had happened with Jonas’s wife? She wouldn’t dream of prying. Especially not with her own life in such disarray.

      “It’s not healthy for him or Hunter.” Deirdre’s chin trembled. “I’m afraid Jonas has lost the ability to trust, to hope. He tries to hide it, but underneath the gruffness, he’s unhappy.”

      AnnaBeth’s heart contracted. “I’m sorry.”

      His mother swiped her finger under her eye. “I don’t mean to unload on you like this, but you’re very easy to talk to.”

      AnnaBeth nodded. “I get that a lot. I suppose I have the kind of face that invites confidences. And I promise I’d never breathe a word of what you’ve told me to anyone else.”

      “I sensed that about you immediately.” She cupped AnnaBeth’s cheek. “I think your ability to empathize is a rare gift. Your family must be so proud of you.”

      AnnaBeth’s eyes moistened. “My family is complicated. And what happened yesterday will only make things worse.” She blinked away the tears.

      Deirdre squeezed her hand. “I’m sorry, honey, for what you went through yesterday. It must have been a painful blow losing your fiancé.”

      “It’s not that.” AnnaBeth fingered her earring. “You see, I never loved Scott.”

      Deirdre threw her a startled look. “You knew you didn’t love him?”

      She took a quick breath. “Jonas and Hunter are blessed to have you. You’re also very easy to talk to.”

      If only her real mother hadn’t died. If only Victoria had been like Deirdre Fielding, how different would her life had been?

      Deirdre took off the lid and stirred the oatmeal on the stovetop. “Church has been canceled due to the snow. We’ll have our own service here at the lodge.” She stopped stirring. “But don’t feel obligated to participate if that’s not something you’re interested in.”

      “I’d love to celebrate the Lord’s Day with your family, Miss Deirdre.”

      Yet thinking about the uptown congregation which she’d fled from СКАЧАТЬ