By Honor Bound by Arianna Hart Kate Hill Denise A Agnew Read Free Book Online Page B

splashed through the water. She pulled on his arm, her expression frantic. “What are you doing? This is John, the plumber!”
    Abe released him immediately. “I’m sorry. You snuck up on me.”
    “My mistake,” John choked out, rubbing his neck.
    “Are you all right?” Angela asked, touching the man’s shoulder.
    “I think so.”
    “I’m real sorry,” Abe said, placing the wrench aside and climbing the basement steps. He’d nearly reached the front door when Angela grasped his arm.
    “Where are you going? Abe, what happened down there?”
    “They call it a flashback, Angela.” He glanced at her, noting her shoes, stockings, and the hem of her dress were soaked with water from the flooded basement. “I can’t stay here with you.”
    “Why?”
    “Last night. Just now. That stuff’s going to keep happening. I don’t know when—or if—it will ever stop.”
    “So you’re just going to leave?” Her brow furrowed. “I didn’t think Marines ran from anything. I know Jim never did, and somehow I doubt you ever have, either.”
    “I’m not running. I’m doing what I have to for you and Polly, too.”
    “I love you, Abe! I said it last night and that wasn’t just pillow talk, damn it! I meant it! Didn’t you?”
    “Yeah. I meant it.” He took her face in his hands then dropped them before he stepped out the door. “That’s why I have to go.”
    “Abe!” she shouted, but he ignored her as he slid into his car and sped off.
    * * * * *
    Angela sat in the diner, fidgeting with her spoon and glancing at the door while trying not to appear anxious.
    A week after Abe had stormed out of her house, she’d given up on trying to forget him and sent him a letter. Enraged at him for waltzing out of her life after a couple of marvelous days and feeling stupid for believing he was actually going to show up, she’d asked him to meet her at one of the only decent diners in town. The place was tiny and showed wear and tear since its construction back in the twenties, but the owner, Rosemarie Simons, kept the place spotless and served the best food in the state. Rosemarie had been a good friend of Angela and Jim for years.
    “Another cup of tea?” Rosemarie approached, her plump frame covered in a flowered dress and white apron.
    “Thank you.” Angela glanced at her and smiled.
    “All right.” Rosemarie dropped into the booth and tapped her fingertips on the back of Angela’s hand. “Are you going to tell me what celebrity is supposed to walk through that door so I can roll out the red carpet and such?”
    Angela looked surprised. “No one. I was just looking in that direction.”
    “No, baby, you was fixed in that direction like a dog fixin’ on a hunk of steak.”
    “I guess I should try looking less obvious.”
    “So who is he?”
    “Just a friend.”
    Rosemarie raised a bushy brown eyebrow.
    “A friend of Jim’s.”
    “Oh,” Rosemarie looked thoughtful. “Another Marine?”
    “Yes. He’s in the Corps.”
    “You know you get a gleam in your eye when you talk about him?”
    “Do I?”
    “Sure do, and I—” Rosemarie jumped up and smiled. “Abe! When did you get back?”
    Angela swallowed hard, her pulse racing and hands trembling so much she nearly dropped her fork. Calm, Angela. Appear calm and disinterested.
    Abe, wearing a blue T-shirt tucked into snug jeans that hugged every long, muscular inch of his legs, strode inside and accepted a hug from Rosemarie.
    “Damn, it’s good to see you, baby.” Rosemarie tugged his face down for a kiss on the cheek. “I was so worried when I heard you was missin’.”
    “I got out of the hospital a couple of weeks ago.” Abe said, though his gaze strayed to Angela. His expression revealed nothing, but his throat moved as he swallowed.
    “Couple of weeks? The least you could have done was let ol’ Rosemarie know you was all right.”
     “Sorry. Thought you’d be glad not to have me here every week eating you out of house and