What a Mother Knows by Leslie Lehr Read Free Book Online

connect the pieces. “Could this have anything to do with Nikki running away?”
    Drew shrugged. “There was some innuendo that might have embarrassed her.”
    â€œInnuendo?”
    â€œI was out of town, so—you might have been lonely. And you were an attractive woman in a car alone with a nineteen-year-old, a good-looking college kid with a band.” He stood up and crossed his arms.
    â€œAre you out of your mind?”
    â€œNo.”
    â€œBut you believe that?”
    â€œNo, but things had been strained between us, so it was awkward. And some people blame you for Noah’s death.”
    â€œBecause I was driving?”
    â€œYes.”
    Michelle couldn’t fathom Nikki’s embarrassment. “Does Lexi know?”
    â€œHow could she not? It was in all the newspapers.”
    Michelle covered her face with her hand. “That explains why we were so cloistered at the hospital. But…”
    Drew’s phone rang. He checked the number, but didn’t answer. When the screen went dark, so did the room.
    â€œThis light needs a new bulb.”
    Drew tested the switch. “Forget it. Moping around in here will only upset you.”
    â€œRight. Nikki is missing and Tyler’s pitching coach is dead, but an empty room will upset me.” She stood up, fueled by anger.
    â€œSee what I mean?”
    Michelle kicked the dented corner of the fallen box. “Do we have scissors?”
    Drew heaved the box back on the stack in the corner, then rubbed his lower back. “Forget it. I’ve been through her things. Who do you think packed these?”
    â€œBut why? What if she comes home?”
    â€œThat’s why I kept the bed. But it was creepy seeing her T-shirts piled on the floor where she left them.”
    Michelle leaned against him. He put his arm around her.
    Tyler coughed again.
    â€œI need to give him the inhaler,” Drew said, walking her out. He took the bags he’d left on the hall table into the kitchen, where Tyler had the refrigerator door open.
    He held up the plastic-wrapped piece of cake saved for Nikki. “Okay if I eat this?”
    â€œNo,” Michelle snapped.
    Tyler eyed his father and put it back. “Dad, can I go to Cody’s? I need to practice for the game—and his mom’s making stroganoff. I can walk over.”
    Michelle felt bad. “I’m sorry, Tyler, I didn’t mean…”
    â€œGo ahead,” Drew interrupted, tearing open the pharmacy bag. “I don’t blame you for being sick of burgers. Take this with you.”
    â€œThanks,” Tyler said. He pocketed the inhaler, kissed Michelle, and started heading out.
    Michelle followed him to the foyer. “But, don’t you want to have a family dinner?” She winced at how lame that sounded, especially with Nikki missing. And someone dead. Noah Butler dead . It was a long time ago now, though, and she wondered how Tyler felt about it. Was he over it? Did he blame her? She was afraid to ask and risk upsetting him. She wanted to say something, to hold him and make it better, but she didn’t know how to do that, or if it was even possible. She hated feeling so helpless.
    â€œBe home by ten,” Drew told him.
    Tyler’s phone buzzed. He read the text before walking out and closing the front door behind him.
    Michelle wondered what happened to her own phone. Was it lost in the wreckage with her wallet? And her wedding ring? When Drew took the other bag to the counter, she noticed that his hand was bare, too. “What happened to your ring?”
    â€œGot caught on scaffolding when I was hanging mikes. Nearly ripped off my finger.”
    â€œOuch,” Michelle said.
    He glanced at her withered right hand and shrugged. Then he put the last grocery bag away. She watched him, conscious of every movement, as if they were acting in a play, reading lines someone else had written. He brought paper plates to the table with