Digitalis by Ronie Kendig Read Free Book Online

wrap around her own, but the expression in Colton’s face pinched her stomach together, making it impossible to look away. He wasn’t happy about her presence. Disappointment clogged the thrill of seeing him.
    “What’s wrong with you?” His mom’s terse voice darted out, just above a whisper.
    “I’ve told you before, don’t bring anyone here unless you clear it with me first. There are …”
    His words faded, but not the rebuke. He’d aimed it at his mother, but the words had stabbed Piper right through the heart. So. His not calling her had been intentional. He didn’t want a date with her.
    “C’mon, Piper!” McKenna tugged on her.
    When she took one last glance down the hall, her gaze collided with Colton’s. His crystal blues held hers as if sending a silent message. What that message was, she couldn’t decipher. But his words had left no doubt. He didn’t want her here. With a shake of his head, he turned and clomped down the hall, his broad shoulders drooped.
    McKenna jerked hard, pulling Piper into the kitchen, where she opened a cabinet. “Look, we got them at the princess palace!”
    Piper tried to redirect her focus onto the pink, sparkly dishes. “They’re so pretty.” But her attention was still hung up on the horrible mistake she’d made in letting Mrs. Neeley talk her into coming for dinner. It’d seemed like an answer to prayer. A hope so deep and desperate she’d ignored good, common sense.
    His eyes had pervaded her thoughts last night, and the resounding bass of his laugh rumbled through her dreams. Anticipating a phone call or answering machine message had gotten her through the first week or ten days following their mall encounter. After that, she started losing hope, wondering if she’d misread the twinkle that had made her stomach queasy—and found herself stranded on Desperation Island.
    She ran her fingers through her hair, frustrated with herself. What was wrong with her? Mooning over a man who didn’t reciprocate admiration and respect.
Oh just be honest—the attraction, too
. She had to hand it to him. Hands down, he was the most gorgeous man she’d met, with his barrel-thick chest and long legs, the trimmed-close hair.
    And the dimples.
Yeshua
should never have done that to a woman. Adam probably had dimples—and that’s what made Eve lose her mind over a stupid piece of fruit. Probably concentrating so hard on the dimples she didn’t realize her folly.
    If only the Fall could be explained so easily. Or her own stupidity.
    Just leave. Make it easy on everyone
. Yes. Yes, she could grab food from Mr. Tang’s on the way home and wallow in her own pity. Just like every Saturday night.
    “Honestly,” Mrs. Neeley said as she entered, her words weaker than before. “I don’t know what’s gotten into him. He’s never come home like that.”
    Piper stole a glance at his mother as she went to the sink and washed her hands. In jeans and a short-sleeve sweater with appliqués, Mrs. Neeley stood several inches shorter than Piper’s own five-nine, but there wasn’t an ounce of average in the woman. Even though the cinnamon-colored hair was perfectly coiffed, Piper knew it was colored. But tastefully. Like everything the matriarch did. She had it together. A husband, a home, family, and everything else Piper didn’t have that she so earnestly wanted.
    Ack! She had to get out of here before she became completely depressed. “I really appreciate your inviting me out. I’ve had a wonderful time.” She pushed to her feet. “But … uh … I have an assignment due soon.” And she did. In two weeks. “So, I’m just going to head back to town.”
    “Oh, please—”
    “No, really. I’m not sure I can find my way back without daylight, anyway.” It sounded good, but the more she convinced Mrs. Neeley she should leave, the more Piper wanted to cry. Why on earth were tears threatening?
    Because she’d wanted this—all of this—so very badly. The family, the