Rite of Passage by Kevin V. Symmons Read Free Book Online

sat next to her, our shoulders touching. “What about you? Auntie told me so much. I want to hear everything.” She looked at me, eyebrows raised.
    “Sorry to disappoint you, but there’s not much to tell.”
    “Nonsense. I must hear every detail,” she said, touching my forearm.
    “I went to Exeter, a private school north of Boston, then Harvard.”
    She nodded.
    “I just graduated. I’d tried to enlist before the end of the war but they rejected me for a bad knee.”
    “You’re conflicted about it. Part of you feels relieved but another feels sorry you didn’t serve.”
    She’d read my thoughts again. “You’re incredibly perceptive.”
    “No. But from what I’ve seen of you, I know that’s how you’d feel.” She touched my shoulder. “Robbie, we’re all called upon to be heroes in different ways. I’m sure that when your time comes, you’ll do the proper thing.”
    “I hope you’re right,” I whispered, studying the lake. “Anyway, I’m going to law school in the fall. I live on Boston Harbor, played center field on the baseball team until my knee gave out, and—”
    She’d listened politely to my brief résumé, not letting me finish. “And have a brilliant beauty waiting for you back in Boston. And what does she want to be?” Courtney whispered, finding my eyes. “Besides Mrs. Robert McGregor.”
    “I told you we have no agreement…”
    She interrupted again. “Robert. Please. Stop dodging the question.”
    “All right. She wants to be the first female surgeon at Massachusetts General Hospital. Rachel’s very ambitious.”
    “Are you worried?” she asked.
    “Worried?”
    “Yes, Robbie. Being here with me while…?”
    “Rachel.”
    “Yes, while Rachel’s in Boston thinking you’re spending the day with my boring relatives. Isn’t that what you’re going to tell her?” Courtney’s smile teased.
    “I suppose so,” I admitted. “What should I say?”
    “That you showed a lonely English girl a bit of the countryside.” She laughed. “Don’t take me too seriously.”
    “All right.” I needed to change the subject. “I know about your magnificent horse, your two cats, Cepheus and what’s her name?”
    “Cassiopeia… C-a-s-s-i-o-p-e-i-a !” she spelled out.
    “Oh.” I grinned. “I forgot. You have so many animal friends with unusual names, it’s hard to keep track.”
    She nodded, laughing.
    “What about people? You must have someone besides your aunt and your nanny.”
    She lowered her lashes and turned. When she raised her eyes, finding mine, I felt my heart race. She touched my shoulder again.
    “I think I’ve found someone.” Her fingers walked lightly down my sleeve. I swallowed.
    “Is this another tease?” I whispered, waiting for her answer.
    “No. I don’t play those games.”
    “Then you have,” I told her.
    “Well,” she said, exhaling as she removed her hand. “Enough philosophy, McGregor.”
    I stood, still tingling from her touch.
    “I owe you some cigarettes,” she said, looking thoughtfully toward the small collection of stores. “I’ll go get some and then we can try that salmon you were raving about. My treat.”
    “You don’t have to keep buying things. I thought you were short of funds.”
    She laughed. “I can manage. You’re a cheap date. After all, I talked you into bringing me along, boring you with stories about my life and pets.”
    I took her by the shoulders. If she was searching for compliments, I’d gladly oblige. “I wanted you to come.”
    She twisted her lips, doing her best to hide a smile. “Thank you.” Her face grew flushed. “I hoped that was the case, but it’s nice to hear you say it,” she confessed. “Come on.” She quickened her pace, heading toward the general store. “Cigarettes, then salmon.”
    “Interesting menu,” I joked and hurried to catch her.

Chapter Eight
    It was almost three when we left the small restaurant. The inside had been spare and utilitarian, offering little charm