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

turtles, so she’d always ask him to show her his turtles. She wished he could show them to her now.
    “And you came all the way from California to see your old dad.”
    “Because I love you.”
    “I love you too, Princess.”
    Serena loved it when he called her that. It made her insides warm and gooey.
    A short nurse with shocking red hair walked into the room. “Mr. Johnson needs to get his rest,” she said curtly.
    “Our daughter just got here after being stranded in Denver in a snowstorm,” her mom protested.
    “I’m sorry, but the doctor wants him to get plenty of rest. The sooner he gains his strength, the sooner you can take him home.” The nurse reached for the blood pressure cuff. “I need to do his vitals.”
    “But—” her mom started. Serena squeezed her mom’s arm to prevent a brawl between her mom and the nurse.
    “Thank you. We’ll be back later,” Serena said, pulling her mom out of the room.
    “That woman has some nerve.”
    “Mom, don’t start a fight.”
    “I know my husband better than she does. You’re his only daughter. Of course he wants to see you. Who does she think she is?”
    “She’s only doing her job. And he does need his rest.”
    “Hmph. I don’t like her one bit.” Her mom bobbed her head and Serena was glad to see the familiar spunk.
    “I know, let’s go get something to eat.”
    “I have plenty of food at home. We can go there.”
    “I was thinking Jake’s. I’ve been missing the Durango Burger with the special sauce—haven’t had one for a long, long time.”
    “I don’t know.” Her mom shrugged then wiped under her eyes. “What if your dad wakes up and needs me?”
    “We won’t be gone long.”
    At the restaurant, they sat in a booth toward the back. It looked the same as it did when Serena was in high school. A waitress came to the table. “Serena?”
    “Kammi? How are you?” Kammi was as cute as she was in high school with her expressive brown eyes and long black hair.
    “I’m good. Are you back in town?”
    “Only for a visit. What are you up to?”
    “Working here, obviously.” She laughed. “I’m taking classes at Fort Lewis, working on my degree. What about you?”
    “I work for a publisher in San Francisco.” She still couldn’t believe she’d landed such an amazing job right after college. Every time she thought about it, she felt giddy.
    “Wow, sounds exciting.” Kammi grinned.
    “It is.”
    “Last time I saw you…” Kammi paused as if she were trying to remember exactly. “Yeah, you were with a guy and you were going on the train.”
    Serena nodded, her jaw clenching. Why did Kammi have to bring up that memory? Holding up the menu, Serena said, “I think we’re ready to order.”
    Kammi took their orders then left.
    “I wonder whatever happened to Graham.” Her mom sipped some water.
    “Funny you should ask.”
    “Why?” Her mom leaned in with interest, like someone ready for a juicy bit of gossip.
    Serena chewed on her bottom lip, unsure if she wanted to share what had happened, because then she might have to endure a “discussion” about it.
    “Serena?”
    Knowing she’d have to tell her mom eventually, Serena said quietly, “He was at the airport.”
    “Here in Durango?”
    She played with the silverware. “No. In Denver.”
    “Oh. Was he stranded there too?”
    “Yeah. I ran right into him. Literally. We ended up at the same hotel.” An image of Graham with snow in his hair flashed through her mind.
    “He was that guy who cheated on you in college. Right?”
    Sometimes, Serena wished she didn’t share all the details of her life with her mom. “That was what I thought.”
    Her mom arched an eyebrow. “What does that mean?”
    Serena adjusted her weight then pulled at her shirt. “Apparently, I misread the situation.”
    “Didn’t you tell me you saw him kissing this girl?”
    Wow, she has a memory like an elephant. “Yes, but, turns out, it was some sorority prank.”
    Her mom sat back