Treasured Past by Linda Hill Read Free Book Online

quiet. I could imagine her mentally weighing my words. “I’m sorry, Kate. That was very unprofessional of me. When are you free?”
    I flipped through my datebook and we compared schedules. Settling on the following Monday, we said a polite good-bye and ended our conversation.

CHAPTER EIGHT
    The ride to Treasured Past was nearly unbearable. Beth and I had debated for nearly an hour about whether or not we should take separate vehicles. As a result we were running late, and once we were on our way I wished that I’d brought my own car.
    “Don’t worry about it,” Beth was saying. “If I have to leave before you’re ready to go, then I’m sure you can get a ride home from Annie.”
    I groaned. “Why are you so intent on pushing us together? She could be married for all I know.”
    “No ring,” she stated happily.
    “She might have plans.”
    “She might.” The singsong tone in Beth’s voice was driving me crazy. “If she does, then you’ll just have to tag along with me. Billy’s game won’t last more than an hour.”
    I bit my tongue. Spending an hour watching Beth’s son play left field in a Little League game wasn’t the worst way I could spend my afternoon. In spite of the efforts of Beth’s ex-husband to keep his son away from his mother, it was Billy who had made life almost intolerable for his father by insisting that Beth continue to have a strong role in his young life. Very mature for his nine years, Billy had stood his ground firmly when it came to including his mother in every part of his life. Beth’s ex-husband may have won legal custody, but it was Beth who clearly owned Billy’s heart.
    Even now, the guilt that came over me every time Billy’s name was mentioned was palpable. I didn’t think I would ever forgive myself for losing Beth’s custody battle. My mood sobered.
    Beth pretended not to notice. Instead she prattled on about Annie and how good it would be to see her again.
    “You know, you keep teasing me about Annie.” I turned in my seat to face her squarely. “I think maybe it’s you who’s attracted to her.”
    Beth’s ire wouldn’t be raised. “Not my type.”
    “Oh, why not?” I folded my arms across my chest and pretended not to believe a word.
    “You know I like ‘em butch.” She took her eyes off the road just long enough to slide me a mischievous glance and pat my leg. “ Kinda like you.”
    “I am not butch.” Beth knew all my buttons, and now she was roaring.
    “You are. You may not look butch, but everything else about you is.”
    “I don’t believe in that butch-femme thing,” I insisted.
    “I know. I don’t either. But I sure do like to get you going.”
    I opened my mouth to give her a not-so-subtle piece of my mind, but she cut me off.
    “Is this the place?”
    I glanced out the window and felt my stomach flutter. “Yep. We’re here.” I was nervous again.
    “Did she tell you where to park?” Every metered parking space was taken.
    “She said to pull around back. There’s a loading dock or something back there.”
    Beth navigated her truck down a back alley, and we were surprised to see an oversize doorway at the back of the building. A rough wooden sign hanging above the door proclaimed TREASURED PAST.
    “Easy enough,” Beth declared. Then she reversed the truck and backed it up until we were just a few feet from the door.
    The number of shoppers that were milling about the store amazed me. Annie greeted us warmly.
    “You made it,” she smiled.
    “Sorry we’re late,” Beth told her. We were supposed to be there before the store opened at noon.
    “No problem. I can’t really break away right now, but if you two want to unload the furniture in the back, we can move it inside as soon as there’s a break.” She was brushing a stray strand of hair from her brow.
    “Sounds fair to me.” Beth was all smiles as we left the store together and unloaded the truck.
    It took no time at all, and my dilemma began. It was unthinkable