Ties That Bind by Debbie White Read Free Book Online Page A

had. We always gave each other kisses when we woke up, went to bed, and left the house – oh and when we returned from wherever we’d been too.
    He turned slightly and our lips touched. I started to pull away after a quick peck, but he held our kiss and something about it felt different. He pulled me in closer and the kiss became passionate. It seemed an odd time for this to be happening, but I went with it. I kissed him back, and soon he was leading me into the bedroom. “So much for the shopping,” I whispered as I tossed the list onto the coffee table.
     
    ***
                 
    I hadn’t stepped foot in this town in over 40 years yet I knew my way around. I drove right to the Wal-Mart, even though that store was not even there when I lived there. Later as I told Charles how I drove right to the super center, he chalked it up to me being aware of my surroundings and knowing the direction the downtown area and shopping would most likely be. I nodded my head. I guess he had a valid point.
    As I walked up and down the aisles looking for the items on my list, I couldn’t help wondering if anyone would recognize me. How would someone recognize me after all this time?
    I felt a bit anxious about being in the store by myself. I don’t know why. Maybe I really thought someone would run up to me and say, “Patsy. Is that you?”
    I had an excellent memory, which made me a great private detective. I could remember things that happened when I was three and four years old. Why was it so out of the realm of possibility that I would recognize someone from my past? After all, many people from small towns such as this never leave.
    I finally finished my shopping and got up to the checkout counter to pay for my things. As the young lady rang up my items, I searched her face for details, for a resemblance to anyone I might have known. She smiled at me. I smiled back. We made small chit chat about the weather, and when the last item was placed in my bag, I decided to be bold.
    “Have you lived here long?” I asked.
    “All my life,” she answered.
    “So your family has been here for a long time?”
    “For as long as I can remember,” she said as she handed me my change.
    “Well, it’s a lovely town. I’m new. We just moved in.”
    “Where are you living?” She asked.
    “We just rented the little bungalow across from the park.”
    “Oh, I know right where you mean. My family knows the owners.”
    I smiled. Not sure, of what else to say, I gathered up my bags and placed them back into the cart.
    “Have a great day,” I said as I headed out the automatic glass doors.
    My heart was beating fast and I quickly loaded the bags into the trunk. If this is how it was going to feel when we began to poke around, I’d better get used to it. There were many deep seeded secrets in this town regarding my birth. I didn’t want to get anyone in trouble; I just wanted to know the truth.
    I knew Charles was just as anxious about finding out the truth as I was. He would have never committed to this adventure if he didn’t believe that solving the mystery would help me somehow. He loved me that much. And, I loved him for loving me that much.
    For our first night in the new house, we made hot dogs and chili for dinner. It was easy, filling and after a long day of settling in, I wasn’t looking to prepare a feast.
    After dinner, we settled into the evening by reading. Charles and I loved books. I was reading a new romance from one of my favorite authors, and Charles was reading a detective book from one of his favorites.
    “Tomorrow I’ll get the phone hooked up, some cable and Internet for the house. We’ll need it,” he added turning the page to his book.
    “Ok, that sounds great.”
    I don’t know about Charles, but after reading a few pages, I drifted off to sleep. I dreamt about the time when I was a little girl and we were at my Aunt and Uncles farm. The chickens were chasing me. I also remembered my mom grabbing one