After the Fall Read Online Free Page A

Or can I convince you to stay?”
    Laura snuggled closer to Tim’s warm, inviting body, placed a light, playful kiss on the curly auburn hairs on his chest, and pushed herself to a sitting position. “Wish I could stay longer,” she said, glancing out the window. “Not looking forward to facing the elements out there. I believe you call that white stuff snow.”
    â€œLooks like we got a good three inches during the night. Treacherous driving conditions on top of that ice. Just one more reason to delay your flight.” Tim was sitting now, and he grabbed both of her hands in his. “We have a lot to talk about, Laura. Could you delay going back until later in the day? Even better, tomorrow?”
    Laura considered her day. She did not have a case on today’s operating room schedule, but she did need to prepare for tomorrow’s hospital staff meeting. As usual, she’d be presenting the surgical department’s morbidity and mortality statistics. Maybe she could get a colleague to pull the report together for her.
    Another look out the window told her: too risky. If this weather continued, she might not be able to get out of Philadelphia.
    â€œI know that look of yours, Laura. I’ll go make coffee. You take a shower and get dressed, but I’m coming to Tampa next weekend, and it won’t be for the weather, it’ll be for you.”
    Laura had stepped out of Tim’s shower, a very manly one, devoid of the myriad of hair products she kept stashed in hers, when she heard Tim’s voice at the door.
    â€œCome in,” she said, not bothering to pull the towel aroundher naked body.
What a difference a marriage proposal makes
, she thought with a sly smile.
    â€œMike,” Tim said, holding out the phone. “Wants to know if you’d like him to pick you up, drive you to the airport. I told him I have a town car on its way, but if he wants to see you off…”
    Laura took the phone. “Hi, Mike.” She listened as her son repeated his offer. He could swing by Tim’s, pick her up, take her to the airport, all in time for him to arrive at his Center City law office.
    â€œToo complicated, honey,” she said. “I’m exhausted just listening to the itinerary. Not that I don’t want to see you. I have some interesting stuff to tell you.” Laura glanced up at Tim, winked at him. “Some personal; some professional. But it can wait.”
    â€œMom, what’s going on? Now you have me curious.”
    â€œTell you next time. Okay, honey? And thanks for the offer to pick me up. I really appreciate it, especially in this crappy weather. Gotta go. Don’t forget to check in with your sisters every few days.”
    â€œThose girls are twenty-four years old, Mom. But you know I will. Love you.”
    As Laura handed the phone back to Tim, he beamed. “You going to tell your kids about us getting married, or do you want me to ask their permission?”
    That look worried Laura. It seemed too optimistic, too final. Final was nowhere near her reality yet.
    â€œNeither,” she said before the chime of the bell interrupted.
    Tim partially closed the bathroom door and went to answer the front door. “Came a bit early for your passenger, Dr. Robinson.” Laura could hear a man’s voice. “Conditions are slippery out there. I’ll wait in the car, just wanted you to know I was here.”
    â€œBe down as soon as I can,” Laura called. “Can I have that coffee to go?”
    Laura emerged from the bedroom dressed in a red-and-gray-patternedwool dress cinched at the waist with a gray belt, and wearing three-inch red heels with the Ferragamo emblem. Her blond hair hung collar length, and she’d made no attempt to tame the waves. She chose to wear glasses; no time today to deal with her contacts.
    Tim was waiting by the door, her red winter coat in one hand, coffee container in another. “Lady in