Catching Serenity Read Online Free PDF Page B

religion in Atlanta, did you?”
    “ No, not religion, Dad. I discovered faith and a relationship with Jesus. It’s all pretty new, but it’s precious and...special, so please don’t spoil it for me.”
    Instead of scoffin g—or calling it a crutch, as she suspected—he cocked a brow and stared at her for several long seconds. “I’m real happy for you, Serenity, but if the Almighty’s really watching out for you, He wouldn’t have brought you back to this God-forsaken town.”
    Serenity knelt on the floor beside his recliner. “I’m not sure about a lot of things, Dad, but in my heart, I know this is where I belong. I learned that I’m never alone and that gives me an unbelievable comfort. I promise you I’ll find answers so we’ll both know what happened. Once and for all.”
    She hated what he was doing to himself, sitting in that chair hour after hour. Either loneliness or lung cancer would eventually kill him. The saddest thing of all? It ’s probably what he wanted, but it wouldn’t happen if she had anything to say about it.
    Cupping the side of his face with one palm, her heart swelled with emotion when he leaned his leathered cheek against it. Rough stubble prickled her fingers and the contours of his face felt familiar—although painfully thin—beneath her hand. As a little girl, she’d put her hands on his puffed cheeks and squeezed until he released the trapped air. Then he’d cover her face with kisses and tickle her as she giggled. As a teenager, she’d teased him about the roughness of his beard and ducked to avoid his kiss. A tear slipped down her cheek, but she let it go.
    “ Aw, don’t go and get all female on me,” Clinton said, tugging a handkerchief from the pocket of his shorts and offering it to her.
    Serenity waved it away with a small smile. “No, thanks.” She wiped her damp cheek with the back of one hand. “I didn’t know men under eighty used those disgusting things.”
    He shoved it back in his pocket. “Sure we do. We keep them handy to offer crying women.” She was afraid that wry comment would prompt another cough, but surprisingly, no warning rattle surfaced. “I understand you’ve got yourself a date. You’d better get moving along, girl. You don’t want this guy to think you’re always late. Wouldn’t make the best impression.”
    “ It’s an initial meeting with a potential client, not a date, but how...” Rising to her feet, the beginnings of a grin tipped the corners of her mouth. “I never could keep anything secret from you, could I?”
    “ Word gets around. I get out every now and then, and believe you me, people talk plenty.”
    “ Dad, tell you what. We have a date on Sunday afternoon. Just you and me.”
    He eyed her. “You gonna treat me like an invalid?”
    “ If you act like one.”
    “ Where do you suggest we go?”
    “ How about the beach? It’ll put color in your cheeks. You’re too pale. No more excuses.”
    “ Can I smoke?” Even though he scowled, Serenity glimpsed the spark in his eye. The small victories could be so sweet.
    Serenity blew out a deep sigh. “I don’t even know if it’s legal there anymore. I certainly hope not.”
    “ Okay, okay,” he said, holding up one hand. “Lots of kids at the shore, anyway.” He shot her a look. “Don’t need a bunch of angry people glaring at me if I’m blowing smoke. Getting that glare from my daughter is bad enough.”
    She ignored his comment but found it surprising how quickly he’d conceded. “Is Hermann’s still down by the shore? You used to like going there. We could have an early dinner together.” The familiar sadness surfaced in his eyes, and self-congratulations were premature. How could she have forgotten it was a favorite place to go with her mother? Great. She was trying to cheer him up, infuse some life into him, and she’d reminded him of Mama all over again.
    Clinton slapped one hand on his knee and stubbed out his cigarette. “You’re right. My