Saving Abby by Steena Holmes Read Free Book Online Page B

Claire’s skin. “But, don’t worry. We’ll get this figured out, and you’ll be back to your normal energetic self again in no time.” She handed her the cup. “Now, go pee.”
    The whole procedure of having to urinate in a tiny cup, being sure to catch it midstream, made her feel faintly ridiculous. When she was done, Claire headed back into the small treatment room, placed the cup on the waiting tray, and then made her way back to Abby’s office, where she’d left her coffee.
    “That wasn’t so hard, was it?” Abby leaned against her desk and handed Claire’s coffee to her. “Make yourself comfortable, and I’ll be back in a minute or two.”
    Claire went to the window that overlooked the main street. She loved their town. There was a decided charm to it. The main street was vehicle-free during the summer months, and the roadway would end up colored in chalk drawings by the kids who attended summer camps in the town park.
    It reminded her of the many European towns they’d visited, although without their Old World appeal.
    Like Venice.
    Just the thought of it had her longing to go back. There was something about the narrow streets, the open squares, and the canals that pulled at her heartstrings. They’d stayed less than a week, but she could have stayed longer.
    Her husband stood in the window of the bookstore directly opposite and waved. She waved back. He held up something to show her, and while she had no clue what book it was, she could tell by the large grin on his face that he was excited. She gave him a thumbs-up and watched him walk toward the counter.
    She checked her watch. Almost ten minutes had passed since Abby had left her. She walked over to the door and poked her head out to see if she could spot Abby anywhere in the hallway, but it was as quiet as a church.
    Frowning, she checked her watch again and then sat down, swirling her coffee in the cup, suddenly uninterested in drinking the rest of it.
    What was taking Abigail so long?
    Dr. Shuman’s voice boomed from somewhere in the building, but she couldn’t make out the words. It almost sounded like a booyah . Something must have gotten him excited. Either that or he was seeing off one of his younger patients.
    The minutes dragged on and various scenarios of doom played out in Claire’s head, something no doubt everyone did when they were waiting for results to come back.
    “Hey.” Abby poked her head into the office. “Sorry for the delay.” She sounded a bit out of breath, as if she’d just jogged there. “Um, where is Josh?”
    Claire half turned in her seat. “Over at the bookstore. Why?”
    “Just wondering.” She shrugged. “He’s coming to pick you up, though, right?”
    Claire could hear the forced nonchalance in Abby’s voice, as if she were trying hard to remain calm.
    “What’s going on? And yes, he should be here any minute.” She attempted to give her friend the look—the one that said Don’t mess with me and Tell me what’s wrong all in one—but it didn’t seem to work.
    “Great.” She popped her head out and then back in. “I’ll be back in a minute. Promise.”
    She closed the door behind her before Claire could say another word.
    What was going on?
    She pulled out her phone and sent Josh a text message.
    Can you come now? Abby is acting weird, and I think something is wrong.
    She crossed her leg and bounced her foot up and down while waiting for his reply, suddenly very nervous.
    Here now. One sec.
    Claire pushed herself up from the chair and went to open the door. She stood there, arms crossed, fingers tapping against her ribs, while she waited for Abby to return with her husband in tow.
    The moment they rounded the corner, Claire’s heart stopped.
    There was a look of panic on Josh’s face. If it weren’t for Abby’s hand on his arm, it looked like he would have bolted toward her.
    Abby on the other hand—her eyes danced with light and there was a contained smile on her face.
    Dr. Shuman