Outside The Lines (Love Beyond Reason Book 2) Read Online Free Page B

it was they had here on the East Coast that put the town’s rich boy on a pedestal.
    She loved the man who’d come to California—laidback, down-to-earth. If she couldn’t have him, she didn’t want the alternative.
    After finishing the last bite of carrot, she placed her spoon on the table next to the bowl. “I think I’ll take a walk through town.”
    Nan Boehler frowned. “It’s very cold.”
    “I won’t go far. Just need some fresh air before I settle in for the night. Got a big day ahead of me, and traveling makes me claustrophobic.”
    “That’s true. You go ahead. Except for the cold, Main Street is perfect this time of day. You will see! The sun is just about to set. Be sure and stop at Henry’s for a coffee. You can warm up there before you walk back.” The woman looked at her watch. “I will be watching for you. An hour, no more, or I will send the cavalry out.”
    How funny. In a matter of an hour, she’d been treated like the dirt that needed to be swept under the rug by a man she’d believed she loved, and now she was being treated like a long lost family member by a complete stranger.
    Smiling, Maria reached for the sweet woman’s hand and grasped it. “Thank you.” There were good people. Hadn’t she known that? When she thought about it, that was the reason she’d come here in the first place. She’d believed, deep down, David was good people.
    She’d been scared after finding out about the baby, but she believed David would stand up as the sensitive guy she’d known. The one who had whispered in her ear and told her stories of small towns and a grandfather who’d taught him to chop wood during the long winter months.
    She’d thought he wanted to be a part of her life when he’d embraced her family.
    For a short time.
    She scowled as she tread along the sidewalk toward town—head down, feet shuffling.
    Give him time.
    But he’d lied to her. Lied about who he was, what he did—
    Lies of omission.
    Still lies. Her throat tightened against the disappointment, the ache, which felt a lot like the pain of him leaving last November.
    “Hello, miss.”
    Maria looked up and smiled at the short, white-haired old man, brushing the walk with his broom. A glance to her right showed a small hardware store. And she stopped. “Are you open?”
    “Sure am.” He reached for the door and held it open. “Come on in.”
    Her dad owned the hardware store in Red Bluff, had for the past forty years.
    Here in Lynnbrook, it was a little like stepping back in time. Wide-plank pine floors crossed the width of the room. Off to the right was an old-fashioned counter with a glass front and top. Inside were rows of shiny new nuts and bolts and nails and screws. The contrast made her smile, and she slowed as she passed and ran her hand along the weathered, wood framing.
    Just beyond that was an aisle for plumbing. It seemed silly now, but she took a deep breath, slowly walking toward the back. The scent was the same…
    Same as her dad, as home.
    She’d left in a hurry but not without notice.
    She’d also called her sister who was stationed in Fort Lewis. If anyone might understand what she was going through, it would be Lena. Lena and Zack fought for their happy ending. And though she’d held back from telling anyone about the baby, she didn’t want her family to worry about her. Besides, Maria owed her sister, if not the truth, than an apology.
    Hadn’t she acted all self-righteous when she’d found out Lena had slept with Zack? Meanwhile, she’d been sleeping with David through the end of October!
    Now, here she was, ten weeks along. There were times she still couldn’t tell she was pregnant. The dreaded morning sickness hadn’t touched her. Her friends talked about it, and part of her had worried when she never fell victim. Was she doing something wrong? Was the baby okay? But the doctor assured her.
    Still, she dreamed. Weird, crazy-ass dreams. And sometimes, in those dreams, she messed it all