Heart Strings Read Online Free Page B

reason … the drive to University Hospital is forty-five minutes from home but only a few miles from here.”
    “Do you have a summer job at the hospital?”
    “I … don't work.”
    Megan’s heart flip-flopped. Was there something wrong with his health? Maybe he had some incurable disease. Maybe….
    “I volunteer,” Tripp said.
    Oh, great, here she was worried about his health and life span, and this poor little rich kid from Destiny didn't need to work. He volunteered. And he probably collected an allowance from his parents, just like Will did.
    Tripp opened his mouth to speak, then changed his mind and closed it. When he did speak, he sounded half-hesitant, half proud. “I'm a member of Have-a-Heart, volunteers who entertain kids in coronary care.”
    “Kids with heart problems? Are there many? I think of older people when I think of coronary.”
    “You'd be amazed at the number of children who go into hospitals for heart surgery. Many are born with heart defects that need repairs. Others require transplants. I've been volunteering two or three times a week for the past few months. Staying here, I can go as often as I want. Which means at least once, maybe twice, a day.”
    He certainly was dedicated. And enthusiastic. And nice.
    “You're another reason I decided to stay with Mrs. Jefferson.” He took her hand.
    Keely started and he let go. “Look, I'm sorry about the other day.”
    She looked away toward the green grass, where it was long and uncut, blowing in the hot breeze. She could tell him why his touch made her uneasy. She should have told him about her and Mark going together, even if they'd just dated for a short time. “It's okay.”
    She looked at Tripp, and he looked so sweet and boyish: so neat, every hair in place, it was hard to think he was up to something evil by moving in with Evelyn. Megan's idea that he might be a con artist who preyed on older people seemed even more ridiculous than it did yesterday at the lake. And he had no reason to try to take Mark's place. He had parents of his own. Her mother was a good judge of character and she'd suggested inviting him and Evelyn to the barbecue. Keely looked around and saw that her mother was gone, and Evelyn's car was missing from the drive.
    “Mrs. Jefferson was about to leave for the cemetery.”
    To Mark's grave. Keely touched the sleeve of Mark's shirt, hanging from Tripp's shoulder.
    “Your mom may have gone home. I didn't notice.”
    “We … she came over to invite you and Evelyn to our house for a barbecue this evening.”
    “That’s terrific.” He reached out to take her hand. “If you want me to come.”
    He couldn't help what had happened to Mark, and couldn't know what this school year had been like for her. She squeezed Tripp's hand, her heart suddenly light. “Sure. I think it would be great.”
    Tripp’s smile was eager, and finding it infectious, Keely smiled all the way home.
     
    * * * * *
     
    Tripp came into the Jefferson kitchen, his hair still damp from his shower, but dressed and ready to go. He was looking forward to the barbecue at the Johannsens'. “Ready when you are, Mrs. Jefferson.”
    Evelyn looked up from a cake she'd been icing. She'd said she didn't feel right not taking something to the picnic. “Tripp, how would you feel about calling me Aunt Evelyn?”
    “Aunt Evelyn.” It would take a little getting used to, but he nodded. Mrs. Jefferson sounded formal and he didn't feel comfortable calling her Evelyn.
    She set the cake inside a covered container. “Or better yet, Aunt Ev. My nephew Johnny calls me that, and if you don't mind, I believe I'll tell my husband's brother and sister that you are Johnny. Nelson and Mildred have never met my side of the family, and that will explain your visit here. And now that I think about it, other people may wonder as well and it's really no one's concern except yours and mine. So we may as well tell everyone you're my nephew Jonathan, Johnny for short, and