To Breathe Again Read Online Free Page A

sleeping pills.”
    Shaun inhaled sharply. “I just don’t get it. No, this can’t be happening.”
    Kelsey heard a chair scraping against the wooden floor.
    “Baby, I don’t want you blaming yourself for this. It’s not your fault. You understand?” Rachel’s voice was urgent, desperate.
    “How could I not, Mom? She was fine. And then I came back to town. Days after I went to see her, she killed herself. We can try to twist this any way we like, but we both know why she’s dead. I came back to Serendipity, and I brought all the tragic, traumatic memories of what happened to her daughter with me.”
    Kelsey swallowed and peered through the slit in the door. Rachel stood up, pulled Shaun out of his chair, and hugged him. Shaun faced the door over Rachel’s shoulder, but his eyes were closed.
    Please, God, don’t let this destroy him. Please let him survive this.
    She pressed a hand to her mouth and tried not to cry. They had come such a long way, made so much progress, and now this.
    “I’m sorry, baby. But you have to keep going. You’re doing so well.”
    Shaun released his mother. “I’m responsible for two people’s deaths. I killed them both.”
    Rachel cupped his face with trembling hands. “Don’t. Don’t say that. You have nothing to do with her death. And you will not stop living because of this tragedy. Look at you. You’ve found a nice girl and you have a bright future before you. I’m so proud of you.”
    “Thanks, Mom. But I’m afraid everyone in town won’t agree with you. They’ll think exactly what I’m thinking right now.”
    Rachel’s hands dropped to her sides and her face hardened. “To hell with what they think. The only thing that matters is what you think. Don’t you dare let them stand in your way. Now go. Go and have a nice day with Kelsey.”
    Kelsey stepped away from the door and walked blindly into the living room, where she dropped onto the couch, her knees knocking against each other.
    When Shaun entered the living room a few minutes later, he was alone. He sat down next to her and told her the news she already knew.
    “I promise,” he said. “I promise to try and deal with this. Don’t think I’ll get back to the man I was in Dreara, okay?”
    Kelsey pursed her lips and nodded, relieved. “Shaun, we’ll get through this together. You are strong, but if some of your strength leaves you, I’ll be strong for both of us.”
    He kissed her and stood up. “Do you mind if I go out for a bit? I want to go for a drive, then I’ll drop by Garrett’s office.”
    “Of course not.” His brother would help him digest the news, and that gave Kelsey some iota of comfort. “See you later. I love you.”
    After Shaun left, Kelsey returned to the kitchen. Rachel stood at the window, gazing out at her vegetable garden.
    “He’s not taking it well, is he?” She turned and looked at Kelsey with a sad smile. “I’m so afraid, Kelsey. I’m afraid he’ll start running again. I’m afraid of losing him again.”
    Kelsey touched Rachel’s shoulder. “I’ll do my best to make sure that doesn’t happen.” She paused as an idea came to her. “Would you mind telling me what Shaun’s favorite meal was when he was a child? I might want to prepare it for him.”
    “That’s a wonderful idea.” Rachel reached toward a shelf to her right and pulled out a hardcover book with the title Brannon Recipes written on its front. She leafed through it until she came to a page that she presented to Kelsey. Kelsey looked down, impressed. There was a heading there. It said simply “Shaun.”
    “Wow,” she breathed. “Did you make this?”
    “Yes, I had it printed when my boys were small. Each one of them has a chapter dedicated to their favorite meals. I’m sure you’ll be able to find something in there. There are desserts and snacks as well.”
    Kelsey leafed through the chapter. “This is beautiful. And such an amazing idea. I’ll pick something. Thank you, Rachel.” She