Deep Down (Lockhart Brothers #1) Read Online Free PDF Page A

right?”
    “I’ve heard that, yes,” she said, looking me straight in the eye.
    I took in a deep breath and let it out; relieved I’d finally spoken the truth to someone. Everyone knew, but there was something liberating about owning it.
    “Do you have anyone there for you?” Miss Byerly asked, her hand now rubbing a slow circle on my back. “I know you just lost your mom over the summer.”
    I shrugged silently.
    “And your dad? Is he upset with you?”
    My throat tightened uncomfortably. I couldn’t speak, so I squeezed my eyes shut and tried to force away the image of him.
    “When I say I’m here, I mean it, Ivy. If you need someone to take you to the doctor, or a place to stay—”
    “I do need a place to stay.” The words tumbled out in a hopeful rush.
    Miss Byerly’s soft hazel eyes hardened a little. “What’s going on with your dad, Ivy? Is there something I should know?”
    I shook my head, my heart pounding wildly. “Never mind.” I wiped my cheeks and gathered my things, standing up.
    “No.” She stood too. “I don’t want . . . I mean, if you don’t want to talk about it, it’s okay. And I’d love to have you stay with me.”
    “Oh, I didn’t mean that. You don’t have to . . .” I took another deep breath. “I just meant if maybe you could help me find a room somewhere. Isn’t there a shelter at the Methodist church?”
    “Ivy, you’re staying with me, and not another word about it. Are you eighteen?”
    I nodded.
    “Then come down to my room when school lets out,” Miss Byerly said. “We’ll go to your house and pick up a few things.”
    My shoulders sagged with relief. I wouldn’t have to worry when I closed my eyes in bed at night that I’d wake up to the sound of my dad trying to get in my bedroom door. I’d take a few things that were important to me—the butterfly necklace my mom gave me for my sixteenth birthday, photos of me and her, my clothes. I didn’t want most of the stuff from my bedroom. That place was ruined for me. I wanted to escape it and never go back.
    Miss Byerly closed the door to her classroom and gestured to her small metal desk.
    “I’ll pull up a chair and we can have lunch at my desk if that’s okay. I’ve got a chicken salad sandwich and homemade cookies, and I have plenty to share.”
    “Okay. Thank you, Miss Byerly.”
    “Call me April unless we’re in class.”
    April Byerly was a young teacher with long curly brown hair and a pretty smile. I’d heard she dated Mr. Schultz, the teacher who was rumored to be the father of my baby. My cheeks burned as I remembered hearing the girls laughing about it in the bathroom.
    I sat down in the chair April had pulled up to one side of her desk.
    “Um, you know . . . I mean, I want to say that I’ve never even spoken to Mr. Schultz. People are saying that he and I . . . that’s only a rumor and I have no idea how it started.”
    She gave me a sympathetic smile and passed me half of her sandwich.
    “I didn’t give it a second thought, Ivy. Matt and I went out a couple times earlier this year, but it wasn’t a love connection for either of us. I know he’s a good guy, though. He wouldn’t abuse the teacher-student relationship in any way.”
    “Good. I’m glad you know that. And . . . are you sure you have room for me at your place?”
    “I’ve got a guest room in need of a guest. So, have you been to the doctor yet? And are you taking prenatal vitamins?”
    “No. I’m doing my best to eat healthy. No soda or anything like that.”
    “We’ll stop for vitamins on the way home later. And I can set up a doctor appointment for you.”
    “Thank you.”
    “I’m not asking anything specific here, Ivy, so don’t take this that way. Is the baby’s father part of your life?”
    I shook my head adamantly. “I’m on my own now. It’s just me.”
    April opened her mouth to speak and then closed it again.
    “What is it?” I asked.
    She sighed and bit her lip, looking unsure. “I