Endlessly Beautiful (Beautiful #1.3) by Jamie McGuire Read Free Book Online

times, trying to focus, and then, seeing her words on paper, his bottom lip began to tremble. He rested his chin on his hand to try to mask his emotion, but then he blinked several times, and his eyes began to gloss over. A smile touched his mouth, he shook his head, and chuckled once. Dad lowered the letter with one hand, and then wiped his eye with the other. After a full minute, he cleared his throat, and then looked up at me.
    “It’s been a long time. It was good to hear her voice again. Thank you, son.”
    I nodded. “I miss her, too. All the time.”
    He laughed again, wiping another escaped tear. “Me, too … every moment of every day. For damn near seventeen years. And the way you look at Abby,” he sighed, “that’s the way I looked at your mother. My God, did I love that woman. I’d never felt anything like that before … and never since.”
    My eyebrows pulled in. “Do you think I’m going to lose her, Dad?”
    “Abby?”
    I nodded.
    Dad touched his lips with his fingers, and then looked down at the floor. I couldn’t move or breath while I waited for the answer. He finally leaned forward again, and looked me straight in the eyes.
    “Travis … I hate to break this to you son … but your wife? She’s stronger than you. You’d leave her before she’ll leave you.”
    His words knocked the wind out of me, and I covered my face, letting the relief wash over in waves. Dad was never wrong, and I trusted him with my life. I looked up at him, knowing he was offering me the truth, but because I loved my wife, I was going keep the truth from him.
    *****
    Thank you for reading episode five of Endlessly Beautiful! First, several people have dedicated their stories to me. Thank you so much! What an honor. Second, Beautiful Burn has made the USA Today and Indie bestseller lists two weeks in a row! The reviews are amazing. I love hearing that you love Beautiful Burn as much (and in some cases more!) than Beautiful Disaster. That is exactly how I wanted to end the Maddox Brothers series!
    Be sure to follow my Wattpad page so you will be instantly updated when new episodes are posted, and be sure to vote for each episode! Next week, we’re going to hear from Abby again. That’s all I can say for now! ;)
    www.jamiemcguire.com
     

Real Life Starts Now
    :: Abby ::
    The cork board next to the exit of Reiger Hall was cluttered with ads, with headers like For Sale, In Search Of, and Help Wanted, each one with numbers at the bottom, cut into strips. An ad near the top had official school letterhead and a list of subjects. I narrowed my eyes, read the fine print, and then ripped off a tab and put the phone number in my pocket. The school was looking for tutors, and Calculus was one of the subjects. Not even a week into the last half of second semester, and the books and supplies in my backpack were weighing it down, cutting into my shoulders.
    I hopped a bit as I took my first step toward the exit, trying to shift the straps to give the indentions next to my neck a break. The early spring air hit my face the moment I stepped outside. Coats in every style and color peppered the sidewalks, a patchwork setting students apart from our gray surroundings. I looked up at the sky, feeling mist instantly cover my face. It had either poured or spat rain all day. The morning fog was just beginning to move on.
    “Hey!” America yelled, half jogging, half running toward me. She waved, her bright smile the only sunshine. She stopped in front of me, holding the straps at her chest, breathing hard. “The sorority girls are going nuts. I love it.”
    “What do you mean?”
    “About Travis … and you. Everyone’s talking about it.”
    I felt my cheeks flush. “Great.” I continued down the sidewalk, and America followed.
    “Not even half believe it.”
    I stopped abruptly. “Believe what? That we’re married? Or that he married me?”
    She shrugged. “Both.” When she realized I was offended, she back peddled. “But,