Home in Carolina by Sherryl Woods Read Free Book Online Page B

been no sign of her mom or Erik. She’d have to find out what that was about later.
    In Wharton’s, where half the town hung out at some point during the day, she slid into a booth and buried her face in a menu. Unfortunately that wasn’t enough to discourage the locals from staring and whispering or to prevent Grace Wharton from squeezing her ample body onto the seat opposite Annie.
    “I know you probably don’t want to talk about Ty,” the older woman said, then went right ahead and did it, anyway. “I thought you ought to know that everyone in town is on your side in this. The way that boy treated you is a crying shame. His mama taught him better than that. Of course, his daddy’s example…” Her voice trailed off in obvious embarrassment at the mention of Bill Townsend’s sleazy affair with his nurse and its resulting pregnancy.
    Despite the slip about Ty’s father, the genuine sympathy Annie heard in Grace’s voice, to say nothing of her indignation on Annie’s behalf, brought tears to Annie’s eyes. “Thanks, Grace,” she murmured, not looking up. “But could we not talk about this, please?”
    “Of course,” Grace said, immediately apologetic. “I know the whole situation is upsetting, but I wanted you to know how people around here feel. You’re a strong young woman. You’ll get through this.”
    “Thanks.”
    “And with a little time, maybe the two of you will be able to work things out,” Grace added, regarding her hopefully.
    “Not a chance,” Annie said flatly.
    Grace seemed taken aback by Annie’s fierce declaration. “Well, then, just so you know, he’s been coming inhere around this time of the morning for breakfast, and he usually has his son with him.”
    Annie fought a sudden desire to bolt. Before she could weigh her options, though, Grace added, “If he comes while you’re here this morning, I’ll send him away. It’s the least I can do.”
    Annie bit back a groan at the thought of the gossip that would stir up. “No, don’t do that, please, Grace. Just bring me a bowl of oatmeal with some milk and honey. With any luck, I can eat and be gone before he gets here.”
    Grace looked vaguely smug, though Annie had no idea why.
    “Are you sure?” Grace continued, her tone solicitous. “I’ll be happy to stop him at the door.”
    Annie knew she meant it, too, but then word would be all over town by lunchtime that Ty had been banished from Wharton’s because of her. She thought back to what her dad had said about the town taking sides. Here was the first taste of what that would be like.
    “No, just hurry with the oatmeal, okay?”
    Grace patted her hand. “Whatever you say, dear.”
    She scurried away and returned in less than a minute with Annie’s food. “Now, you take your time. I’ll be on the lookout. I’ll let you know if Ty’s heading this way. You can even scoot out the back door, if you want.”
    “Thanks, Grace. Leave my check, okay?”
    “It’s by the register. I’ll get it for you in a sec,” Grace promised. “Or you can just pay me next time you come in.”
    Despite Grace’s offer of a warning, Annie practically gulped down the piping-hot oatmeal, burning her tongue in the process. Just one more thing she could blame on Ty, she thought bitterly.
    Just then she looked up to find him standing beside her table, wearing snug, faded jeans and an old Duke T-shirt that fit him like a glove, emphasizing every muscle in his well-toned body. His dark hair was rumpled, and he held Trevor in his arms, the boy still wearing his pj’s from the looks of it.
    So much for the early warning system, Annie thought in despair. Where the devil was Grace now? And why did Ty and Trevor’s sudden appearance, looking as if they’d rushed over here, immediately stir her suspicions?
    “Hi, Annie,” Trevor said, his tone chipper. “Are me and Daddy gonna eat with you?”
    She looked around desperately for Grace, but the woman was suddenly nowhere to be found. Nor was