New Beginnings by Cheryl Douglas Read Free Book Online Page A

room and spend some time with Eric.”
    She knew her words would cut deep, but it was her only hope of escaping the temptation to pick up where they’d left off five years ago.
    He clenched his jaw and withdrew her phone from his pocket. “Fair enough, I’ll give your phone back in exchange for five minutes of your time.”
    She sighed, sinking into the chair behind her. She knew better than to argue with Trey once he had made up his mind. She would give him five minutes and not a moment longer. “The clock is ticking.”
    He claimed a seat on the sofa across from her and propped his booted feet on the coffee table between them. “Do you still write music, Sierra?”
    She frowned, surprised by the question. “Sometimes. Why do you ask?”
    He took a deep breath, tossing her phone on the cushion beside him. “Did you hear about the car accident I was in a year ago?”
    “Of course. It was front page news. I’m glad you were okay.” Truth be told, she’d been terrified when she’d heard about the accident. She had picked up the phone to call him a dozen times, just to make sure he was okay. But in the end, she’d settled with second-hand accounts of his condition from his parents and his sister.
    “You must have also heard about the people who lost their lives.”
    She leaned forward, wishing she could do something to ease his pain. She could only imagine the effect that must have had on him, given the way they lost their own daughter. “I was so sorry to hear about that little girl and her mother. It must have been difficult for you.”
    “There’s something that never made the papers.” He leaned his head back and closed his eyes. “I was with her when she died. She cried and told me she wanted her daddy. I told her she would be able to see her daddy real soon, but that I’d stay with her until help arrived.”
    She moved to the seat beside him, setting her phone on the table. “I’m so sorry,” she whispered.
    “She asked me to talk to her until the ambulance got there.” He opened his eyes and shifted his body until they were facing each other. “She was in bad shape, barely able to whisper, but she asked me questions.”
    She took his hand in hers, sensing he needed to tell someone his story. “Like what?”
    “She recognized me.” He smiled at the memory. “She asked me to tell her what it was like to be famous. She said she’d hoped to be a famous dancer someday.” His voice cracked. “I told her to hold on to that dream.”
    She allowed the tears to fall unchecked. “Go on,” she whispered.
    “She asked me if I had any kids.” He looked her in the eye. “I told her I’d lost my little girl. She asked how it had happened.”
    She squeezed his hand. “Did you tell her?”
    Trey took a deep, steadying breath. “I didn’t want to, but I didn’t want to lie to her, either.”
    Her heart broke for him, unable to imagine how he must have felt watching that little girl slip away and being helpless to stop it. “You did the right thing, Trey.”
    He nodded, his pale blue eyes filling with tears. “She asked me if I thought Callie was in Heaven.” He cleared his throat. “I told her I did.”
    “You know she is.”
    “She asked me if I thought she’d go to Heaven too.” He choked back a sob. “I told her I did. She told me she’d say hi to Callie for me, and then she was gone.”
    She moved into his embrace and held him while he fought for control. She and Trey had been through so much together, but never had she seen him look so defeated. He had always been the strong one in their marriage, her shoulder to lean on. Now, she was able to return the favour, and if she could do anything to ease his pain, it would be worth the risk to her heart.
    She pulled back to look at him. “I can’t even imagine what that must have been like for you. I’m so sorry you had to go through that.”
    “Thanks for listening. I’ve never been able to talk to anyone about it. I knew you were the