Crossroads by Irene Hannon Read Free Book Online Page A

Dear God, the nightmare was back. Just when he’d begun to believe that it had released its hold on him. But now it had returned, stronger than ever.
    â€œMitch? You okay?”
    Uncle Ray’s concerned voice came from the other side of the door, and Mitch sucked in a ragged breath. “Yeah. I’m…fine,” he called hoarsely, his voice as tattered as his nerves.
    â€œYou need anything?” Though his uncle’s voice was calm, it was laced with worry.
    Mitch took another deep breath, forcing air into lungs that didn’t want to expand. “No. I’m okay, Uncle Ray. Sorry I woke you.”
    â€œI wasn’t really sleeping anyway. Try to go back to sleep.”
    â€œYeah, I will. Thanks.”
    Slowly Mitch eased himself back down, damp with sweat. He’d put his uncle through this drill more times than he could count. But the older man never seemed to mind. He’d been through his own hell. He understood.
    Mitch wanted to let go of the nightmare. Wanted to find a way to put it behind him and move on, as Uncle Ray had. He’d always hoped that in time the memory would fade. But he was less and less convinced that it would. Because while both men shareda legacy of regret, only Mitch’s included an unspeakable horror.
    And no matter what he had done in the intervening years to make amends, no matter how often he’d prayed for release from the guilt and the pain, deep in his heart he knew that he didn’t deserve a reprieve from the traumatic memory of that night.
    Â 
    At the sound of a knock, Mitch looked up. “Come in.”
    Karen opened the office door. “Ms. Lockwood is here.”
    Mitch glanced at his watch, then at his piled-high desk. As usual, the day had flown by and he’d finished only half of what he’d set out to accomplish. “There aren’t enough hours in the day, Karen,” he lamented with a sigh.
    â€œThat’s because you take on too much.”
    He leaned back in his chair and steepled his fingers. “True,” he conceded agreeably. “But what do you suggest I eliminate from my schedule? Tony Watson, who’s picked me for the father figure he so desperately needs? The live teen chat room I host twice a week? The meetings with parents of problem kids? The budget?” He paused and tilted his head thoughtfully. “Actually, I could do without the budget, but I don’t think the school board would approve.”
    Karen made a face. “I see your point.”
    He smiled and leaned forward again. “I thought you would. Okay, show Ms. Lockwood in. I might as well get this over with.”
    She hesitated and looked at him quizzically. “Inthe interest of curiosity, how in the world did she get you to agree to this? You hate publicity.”
    He shrugged. “I guess she caught me at a weak moment.”
    Karen planted her hands on her hips. “You don’t have weak moments.”
    â€œHas anyone ever told you that you’re an opinionated woman?” he teased.
    She tilted her head thoughtfully and counted off on her fingers. “Let’s see. My mother. My husband. My kids. The guy at the car repair shop. The director of the—”
    â€œEnough!” Mitch interrupted with a laugh. “Just show Ms. Lockwood in.”
    Karen grinned. “You got it, boss.”
    Mitch smiled and shook his head as he repositioned the stacks of papers on his desk. He’d inherited Karen when he’d taken on this job, and she’d been a godsend, serving as secretary, administrative assistant, sounding board, reality check and mother hen all rolled into one. Not to mention comic relief. He couldn’t have gotten along without her.
    â€œI hope that smile is a good omen for our interview.”
    Mitch glanced up, and the perfunctory greeting died on his lips. He knew the woman in the doorway was Tess Lockwood. He would recognize those eyes anywhere. But everything else