Deliver the Moon Read Online Free PDF Page A

to say to him.”
    When Sarah spoke, her voice was hesitant. “What was it like seeing him again after all this time?”
    Another quick retort was on the tip of Louisa’s tongue, but Sarah was her best friend. She’d never buy it. “It was weird,” she said softly. “After the way our marriage ended, I’d convinced myself I hated him. I want to hate him.” She took a deep breath. “But I can’t.” Not wanting to get emotional, she straightened her shoulders. “It was good to see he’s alive and well.”
    “So, any of the old spark still there? Arty told me you two danced for a while.”
    Usually, Sarah’s directness was one of her best traits. But right now, it grated on Louisa’s nerves like sandpaper on a baby’s bottom. “The only spark between us is anger. Nothing else. He abandoned me. We were married for better or for worse. When things got worse, he left.”
    “Come on,” Sarah said, drawing out the words. “You guys had the ultimate in worst. No marriage should ever be put to that test. Don’t you think that maybe—?”
    “Sarah.” Louisa’s firm tone cut her off without another word.
    Sarah glanced away and smoothed imaginary wrinkles from her skirt. After a moment, she asked quietly, “When’s he going back to Chicago?”
    “He’s, um, not,” Louisa answered just as quietly, unable to meet Sarah’s eyes. Her friend was surely thinking the same thing she was: that Louisa’s parents and Evan in particular would be none too pleased when they found out Gabe was back. For good.
    ****
    Gabe usually avoided bars, but the thought of going up to his empty room didn’t sound much better. He scooted onto the first available barstool and ordered a Coke. He glanced around as he waited for his drink. The place wasn’t too crowded for a Saturday night. That was good. He just wanted to be left alone.
    He’d walked the five blocks from the reception back to his hotel, hoping the fresh air would clear his mind of Louisa. It hadn’t. With every step he’d heard her words, “Yes, Evan, I’ll marry you.” And he’d seen her kissing Payne. And he’d seen her slender white arms slide around Payne’s neck and pull his face closer for the kiss, obviously not at all bothered that her entire family looked on. During their marriage, she’d always been hesitant to express affection in front of them. That obviously wasn’t the case with Payne. Gabe scowled.
    The way Louisa’s gaze had sought him out in the crowd after Payne popped the question so melodramatically, Gabe had almost thought she’d say no. As she’d stared at him so briefly, he’d seen the shadow of doubt in her eyes. For a fleeting instant, he’d seen the old dreams and longing. Then, suddenly, she did an about face and said yes to Evan Payne. “Yes, Evan, I’ll marry you.” Then she’d kissed him.
    Gabe scowled again.
    To hell with the soda, he wanted something stronger. Needed it. He waved over the bartender and ordered a Scotch, straight up, no candy-ass drink tonight. He wanted to drink until this ache dulled inside him, the ache that began when he’d left her five years ago and had never quite disappeared. Oh, he’d tried to ignore it, tried to pretend it wasn’t there, but he always felt its presence. Usually, it was just a dark feeling in the pit of his stomach, a faint reminder of what he’d lost. But tonight, it was a gaping, cavernous hole, like a cannon had been shot through him to remind him he was nothing without her.
    The bartender set the drink in front of him and Gabe told him to keep his tab open. His fingers trembled as they wrapped around the glass, the amber liquid sloshing against the sides. Closing his eyes, he inhaled the damning scent of alcohol. Without taking a sip, he knew the fiery path it would burn down his throat, causing his eyes to water and his nose to sting. Then he’d feel the alcohol envelop his gut, and the sweet surrender would take over and that dark hole would close. He’d drunk