Lost and Found: (A Ripple Effect Romance Novella) Read Online Free Page B

Doesn’t that sound just lovely? It’s over in Hickory. You can write down the address and phone number if you like.”
    Lydia took the paper and entered the information into her phone.
    Beulah shook her head. “You kids have phones like a typewriter. Don’t even need pencils and paper anymore.”
    “Thank you, Beulah. You’ve been very helpful,” Blake said and they each shook her hand. Blake held up his hand when Beulah started to pull herself out of the chair. “We can let ourselves out.”
    “Yes, that would be good. I’ll just stay here and watch Wheel of Fortune with Sajak.”
    Back in the car, Blake turned to Lydia. “I guess we should think about where to stay tonight.”
    “I wish I still had a key to Cambri’s condo. I could have stayed there.”
    “Let’s get a couple of rooms at that Residence Inn we passed out by the airport. They have laundry there. I’ve either got to wash clothes or go shopping, and I’d much rather wash clothes.”
     
     

They booked two rooms for the next two nights, and after a mildly awkward goodnight in the hall, Lydia and Blake parted ways. Blake’s room was next door to Lydia’s, and after a while, she heard him leave. Probably to go wash his clothes. She wished she’d offered to keep him company. If only she were brave enough to do that, she thought with annoyance.
    Today had probably been the bravest day of Lydia’s life. She’d pretended Blake was her boyfriend to get rid of a security guard. She’d suggested he stay and search for his grandfather’s box then agreed to stay with him. She’d spent the afternoon and evening with a man she’d only just met and was planning to spend the next two days with him. So she hadn’t gone with him to the laundry room. Big deal. She’d been courageous today and she would give herself credit for that.
    Was this adventurous enough to make up for her summer of seclusion? Probably not. But Lydia still felt proud of herself.
    She was flipping through the channels of the muted television when her phone rang. As she fished it out of her purse, she hoped it was Blake, but then realized they hadn’t exchanged numbers. This made her feel strangely uneasy. She’d call his room when he got back and ask for his number.
    Her phone quit ringing before she found it. The screen showed a missed call from her mother, and Lydia felt a wave of panic.
    Lydia’s parents had moved to Arizona, but that didn’t stop Mom from calling regularly and keeping tabs on her little girl. She knew as much about Lydia’s life now as she had when they’d been living in the same house. Mom would certainly not approve of this little arrangement, even with the separate rooms.
    Lydia was tempted not to call her mother back, but she couldn’t leave her hanging for two more days. Mom would start to worry, and soon she and Dad would be arranging a search party. Might as well get it over with.
    “Lydia,” her mom said into the phone after one ring. “I just tried to call you.”
    Lydia laughed. “I know. That’s why I’m calling you back.”
    “Oh, of course.” Her mom laughed with her. “I was just checking in to make sure you got home okay.”
    “Actually, I’m not home yet. I’m still in Charlotte.”
    “Weren’t you going home today?”
    “I was. Our flight got cancelled for mechanical difficulties, and when I rescheduled the flight, I got a ticket for Tuesday night.”
    “I thought you had to be back at school tomorrow.” Her mom sounded concerned.
    “I was planning to be so I could get my room ready, but I’ll just have to do that after the teacher’s meetings on Wednesday. It’ll be fine.”
    “It seems like they ought to have been able to get you home sooner than two days. You should file a complaint.”
    “I could have gotten on a flight tonight, but I decided to stay.”
    “You must be having fun. Are you staying in Cambri’s condo?”
    “I turned the keys to the condo in this morning. We’re staying at a Residence