Beyond Ruin Read Online Free PDF Page A

not they - along with Audra and Celine - were coalescing into a big extended family.
    Natalie wasn't sure what else to say to Frankie. She didn't have much experience in the way of talking to children, and Frankie wasn't the average child. She took second place in science fairs, watched documentaries about ancient Egypt and could name constellations in the sky without the aid of a guide. The first time Natalie ever met Frankie she was subjected to a quiz before being granted access into James' penthouse at The Jacqueline . She was special. And Natalie was more than a little intimidated by her.
    Her phone pinged a notification from her purse across the cabin, and Natalie said a silent thank you for the distraction. She excused herself and headed straight for the device.
    'Joe: Bringing me anything from New York? Like a big account? ;)'
    Natalie chewed the insides of her cheeks as she replied. 'Maybe. How are things at the house?'
    'Joe: Not the same without you. Glad you're coming home, Red.'
    She glanced up at Frankie and Audra clearing the table and cleaning their empty plates. Joe having day visits with Frankie once a week meant Natalie would likely be seeing her more often. Celine and James wouldn't be far behind. A nervous ripple of energy fluttered around in Natalie's gut. She hadn't told James about her new living arrangements, and doubted very much that Joe had divulged such information to him.
    She swiped down the messages screen, scanning through the dozens of contacts she'd exchanged texts with over the past few months. Near the bottom she found him. Gentleman Twelve . With a tap of her thumb the thread opened, his last message glowing at the end.
    'Gentleman Twelve: I love you. No matter what.'
    The message was dated months ago. She'd never replied. At the time the only words she could think of were amniocentesis and chromosomal abnormalities , one diametrically opposing the other. It was the message that, in a momentary fog of emotion, sent Natalie to The Jacqueline to see him. She lost her nerve halfway through the lobby and wound up at the bar instead. Audra showed up less than an hour later.
    Her phone screen lit up once more in her hands.
    'Audra: Putting on a movie. Want to share a blanket?'
    She looked up to see Audra smiling at her, blanket in hand as Frankie perused through a stack of DVDs.
     
     
     
    The gentle bounce of the plane as its wheels touched down on the runway lulled Natalie out of her dreamless sleep. She was warm and snug under a blanket, half of which was draped over Audra.
    "We've just landed," Audra spoke softly.
    Natalie smiled sleepily. "How did the movie end?"
    "How ninety-nine percent of fairytales end: with a happily ever after." She removed the blanket from her lap and set it back down on the seat after standing, mumbling something about using the restroom before disembarking the plane.
    As they taxied the runway, Natalie collected her belongings and checked her phone for any new messages. She could just make out the soft sound of Frankie snoring from her seat.
    "Frankie?" She patted the girl's hand with her own, calling her name as quietly and soothingly as she could. "Frankie, wake up. We've landed."
    "Hmmm?" Deep brown eyes fluttered open behind thick-rimmed glasses. "Natalie?"
    Natalie crouched down so she was closer to eye-level with the girl. "Yeah, it's me."
    "How come I haven't seen you at my dad's house in a long time?"
    Natalie's heart felt like it took a dive into her stomach. "Well I was out of town for a few weeks, and there's been a lot going on with starting a new business with your fath-, I mean with Joe." She was wracked with a sudden guilt. She'd never given much consideration to how the end of her relationship with James might affect Frankie. "Don't worry though," she tried, hoping there was no trace of guilt in her reassuring smile. "I'm sure you'll be seeing a lot of me now that you're moving here."
    "I have an idea." Natalie and Frankie both looked up