Grounded for Love: A Reunion Romance Novella by Rebecca Talley Read Free Book Online Page A

made small talk as they drove back to the airport.
    The driver pulled up to the curb. Serena turned to Graham. “I hope the wedding goes well. Chad is a great guy from what I remember.”
    “Thanks. Good luck with your dad. Tell him I said hello. And your mom, too.”
    “I will.”
    They both got out of the taxi.
    “It was really good seeing you,” Graham said.
    She smiled. At least she knew he wasn’t the lying cheater she’d thought he was. Not that it really mattered, because they weren’t going to be together anyway. Serena glanced up at the pale blue sky then back at Graham. “For what it’s worth, I’m sorry.” She licked her dry lips. “I’m sorry I ruined everything by jumping to conclusions and not giving you a chance to explain. For thinking the worst of you and not trusting you. I’m sorry for all of it.” Words didn’t seem adequate to explain her deep sense of regret.
    Graham nodded. In a thick voice, he said, “I’m sorry too.”
    Serena turned and made her way to the waiting area of the airport. She found a chair and plopped down. It’d be at least another hour or more before she could board the plane to Durango—plenty of time to think, which is exactly what she didn’t want.
    She pulled out one of the manuscripts she’d been carrying and started to read through it.
     

 
    The flight from Denver to Durango was uneventful. Serena had successfully engaged her mind by reading a manuscript, thus avoiding all the thoughts that swirled around her head. The nagging questions and what-ifs continued to circle, but she forced herself not to dwell on any of them. After all, what would it matter now? She needed to focus on her dad and what she could do to help while she was in town. Thinking about Graham was a painful waste of time.
    At the small, familiar airport she found her rental car. Some snow still lined the road that lead out of the airport, but the road itself was clear. The massive storm in Denver hadn’t hit this corner of the state.
    She drove directly to the new, modern-looking hospital. Inside the lobby, she texted her mom and found that her dad had been moved out of ICU and into a regular room.
    The elevator doors opened, and Serena rushed to her mom’s outstretched arms. It felt good to be enveloped in her mother’s love. “Thank you for coming,” her mom said with a sigh.
    “Can I see him?”
    “Of course.” Her mom’s short, light brown hair was messy, and her usually bright blue eyes looked tired and dull.
    Serena put her arm around her mother’s shoulders and together they walked down the long hallway. “I’m relieved Daddy’s doing better.”
    “I was so scared. I wasn’t sure he’d make it. He collapsed in the kitchen after he’d been outside clearing some old snow away from the back walkway. I called 911 immediately.”
    “I’m sorry I wasn’t here.”
    Her mom stopped. Peering at Serena she said, “Your life is in San Francisco. Don’t feel guilty about that.”
    “I know, but I still feel bad. I’ve been so worried. I can’t even think about…” Serena left her sentence hanging in the air.
    “I think he’s on the mend now, but it’ll take time.”
    They stopped in front of her dad’s room. Serena made her way over to his bed, where he was sleeping. He looked so weak and small in the stark white bed. Her heart slipped into her stomach. “We should let him get his rest,” Serena whispered to her mom.
    “He wants to see you.”
    “We can come back in a while.”
    “Is that my baby girl?” her dad said weakly.
    “Daddy.” Serena bent down to kiss him on the cheek. “You don’t have to do this to get me to come visit, you know.”
    He gave a slight smile.
    “How are you feeling?”
    “I’ve been better.” His face was drawn. White stubble freckled his chin.
    “You sure scared me.” Serena caressed his arm, remembering how he used to show her his biceps and make them move up and down. As a little girl, she thought they looked like