Down by the River Read Online Free Page B

they’ve heard your story,” he shot back, heading into the café.
    The last thing she wanted to do was go in there, but worry about what might be happening to Jim propelled her out of the vehicle and into the café. A roar of “hellos” and “heys” and a general cheer went up at the sight of her. The crowd parted, and as she passed through the throng, men patted her on the back and women gave her shoulders brief squeezes. At the front of the café stood the guest of honor, leaning back against the counter and holding a coffee cup. The preacher and police chief flanked him on one side, her father and Sam Cussler on the other. They all held coffee cups as if they were tankards.
    Jim did not appear to have been harmed in any way.
    “Well, there’s our girl,” Elmer boasted excitedly. “Give her a cup, George, but don’t put any liquor in it. She’s pregnant!”
    “Dad!” she gasped, appalled. She immediately began to color and glared at Jim. But he simply shrugged his shoulders helplessly. More than a few chuckles rose from the crowd.
    George passed a cup over the counter to Elmer, who passed it to June. She looked into the cup, which appeared to have milk in it. She made a face. She hated milk.
    “Sorry, June,” Elmer said. “I tried to sit on it, but I got a little excited. I thought I was going to the grave without a grandchild. Have you had an ultrasound? Do we know the sex yet?”
    “None of your business!”
    “When’s the wedding?” someone from the crowd asked in a shout.
    “When’s the baby due?” came another shout.
    “Where’d you find this guy? He ain’t from around here,” asked yet another.
    June twisted her head around, trying unsuccessfully to find the people responsible for the questions. But her glance took in a great deal—John’s wife, Susan, the clinic nurse; Birdie Forrest, her late mother’s best friend and June’s godmother; Burt and Syl Crandall from the bakery; Charlotte Burnham, her retired nurse; Jessie Wiley, her secretary and receptionist. A great many friends and patients. The clinic must be closed.
    Elmer was busily circulating with a bottle of Jack Daniel’s, pouring a dollop into a few coffee cups, including Jim’s. Passing the bottle off to someone in the crowd, he leaned toward June and gave her a kiss on the cheek. He gave a nod in Jim’s direction and a wink. “He held up pretty well, June, facing everyone solo.”
    “Dad,” she said pleadingly. “The poor guy!”
    “Poor guy, hell. Look at him! When have you ever seen anyone more puffed up?”
    Jim smiled and a chuckle shook his shoulders, but he was not in any way puffed up. He was being adamned good sport, and she was going to owe him big time. But what if he bolted? She wasn’t sure what bothered her more, that he could take all of this pressure so unflinchingly or the possibility that he’d tear out of here.
    An arm stretched over June’s shoulder with an empty cup. “Hey, Doc,” John begged.
    “Get John here a little something,” Elmer commanded. “He’s going to need it if his partner’s getting married and taking maternity leave!”
    Again, cheers rose with a laughing roar. June’s cheeks flamed.
    “Now, everyone taken care of?” Elmer asked. “Because I’d like to toast the young couple and…”
    “They’re not that young,” someone yelled.
    Elmer raised his cup. “To my daughter, her intended and my grandchild!”
    “Here, here!” The crowd heartily intoned. Many a drink was tossed back.
    June unhappily sampled her milk, then said to Elmer, “Isn’t it a little early for that?”
    “I’d say we’re all a little late,” he returned, his eyes pointedly fixed on her middle.
    There was a part of her quite grateful for the fun and games; she’d anticipated scorn. She was pretty far along in years to be an unmarried woman, with a secret lover to boot. She mentally acknowledged that, then pushed it to the back of her mind because the teasing was likely to go on for a