Heartache Falls by Emily March Read Free Book Online

collectibles, and rode a Honda Gold Wing motorcycle for fun. Ali had decided she wanted to be Celeste when she grew up.
    Celeste took one look at Ali, then offered a sympathetic frown. “Alison? What’s wrong?”
    “Oh, Celeste.” Tears swelled and burst free as Ali stepped into her friend’s waiting arms.
    The story spilled out, everything from her missed manicures to the frozen tundra of her marriage bed. At some point during the telling, Celeste guided Ali into a chair at the kitchen table and set a cup of coffee, a piece of coffee cake, and a box of tissues in front of her.
    Ali grabbed a tissue and blew her nose, then confessed, “I know you weren’t serious about the job, Celeste, but I told him you were. I made up a salary figure. I lied to him. I never lie! But I knew I had to leave there, and I couldn’t run away. I had to run to something, and Eternity Springs just seems like the place I need to be. Does that make any sense?”
    Celeste clicked her tongue. “Now, Alison. I don’t condone lying, but I am happy to have you help me with the Bristlecone. I do need a manager, someone tohire a staff and oversee the menus. Glenda Hawkins was kind enough to share her recipes with me, but I wouldn’t mind making a few changes. You can have the job for as long as you like, but I don’t want you to feel bad about leaving when it’s time for you to go home. You can stay in the carriage house apartment. It’s lovely. If, that is, you are certain about this?”
    “I know I have to go. It’s the only thing I am certain about, Celeste.” She closed her eyes, rubbed them, and said, “The children. I have to call them. I told Mac I would.”
    Frowning sadly, Celeste shook her head. “You poor dear. What will you tell them?”
    “Honestly? I don’t know. How can I explain what’s happening when I don’t even understand it myself?” Ali glanced at the clock. It was only ten o’clock, and the morning already seemed like it’d been ten hours long. “I should call them now. Neither Cait nor Chase has class today until after noon. I don’t know what Stephen’s schedule is, though.”
    “Do it. The task will weigh upon you until it’s done.”
    “I know.” Ali picked up a fork and cut a bite of the coffee cake in front of her, but she didn’t eat it. Nor did she look at the phone. “I’m glad you’re here, Celeste. I don’t think I could do it alone.”
    Celeste reached for her hand and gave it a quick, comforting squeeze. Ali’s knees felt a bit wobbly as she rose and lifted the phone handset from its cradle on the counter. She started with the boys first. Stephen answered his cell on the second ring. “Hello, Granddad,” he said before Ali said a word. “I wasgoing to call you later. My prof said you were right about that interstate commerce question.”
    “Stephen, it’s Mom,” Ali interrupted.
    “Mom?” Her son paused a moment, then asked, “You’re calling from Granddad’s house. Is he okay?”
    “Yes. Your grandfather is fine. He’s on the golf course this morning. I … um … have other news.” Ali closed her eyes and reached deep inside herself for the right words. “I don’t quite know how to say it. I’m not sure how to start.”
    “Mom? You’re scaring me.”
    “No! Don’t be scared. You absolutely don’t have to be scared. It’s just that … well … your dad and I are experiencing a rough spot in our marriage right now, I’m afraid. I think it’s best that we spend some time apart. I’ll be living up in the mountains for a little while. I’ve been offered a job—can you believe it?”
    She bit her lower lip as she waited for his reply. It was a long, torturous moment in coming. “I knew something was wrong,” he finally said.
    Her eyes flew open, her gaze seeking Celeste’s as she asked, “You did?”
    “Yeah. It was obvious at Christmas.” While she tried to process that piece of news, he added, “Are you okay, Mom? Do you want me to come to