Different Paths Read Online Free PDF

department.”
    “I’ve never seen him there.”
    “So?”
    She was right. “He really does seem to adore you.”
    “Yeah. It’s something, isn’t it? This flabby body and all.”
    “You’re not…” Well, she was. Kinda. “You’re curvy .”
    A giggle. “That’s what Bryan says.”
    “I’m sure he does.”
    “But I am a little embarrassed…”
    Uh-oh. “About what?”
    She glanced down at her belly and pressed on it with her palms. “Those EMTs yesterday. They got a full view of me without my shirt on. You know, since it got ripped off by the truck door. I didn’t think about it at the time, but now…”
    “Carla, you’re beautiful. It doesn’t matter that you’re…fluffy. I’m sure the EMTs didn’t think anything about it.”
    She sighed. “Maybe you’re right. But I’m still going to do something about it when they let me out of here.”
    I stared at her. “You’re not going on a diet ?”
    “Are you nuts? No, I’m going to start working out at the gym.”
    “The gym.”
    “Sure. A new client gave me a free two-week pass as a gift for taking care of his dog. I’ll try it out, see how it goes.”
    “What gym?”
    “That one there in Souderton. Club Atlas. It’s a fitness center for anybody, but lots of serious weight lifters go there, too. Another one of my clients actually runs the place, but she’s never given me a free pass.” She pouted, then smiled brightly. “So I could get a workout, plus see those hunky weightlifters at the same time. Two-for-one.”
    “Bonus. Just don’t tell Bryan that’s why you’re going.”
    “I would never.” She sat up. “Why don’t you come with me? You could get in shape, too.”
    “Carla, I am in shape.”
    “Oh, come on. When’s the last time you exercised?”
    “I exercise every day.”
    “Work doesn’t count. When have you actually gone for a run, or lifted weights, or been to an aerobics class? Something to purposefully boost your heart rate and burn calories?”
    I stared at her. “Carla, think about it. Can you picture me at an aerobics class?”
    “You wouldn’t have to wear a fancy outfit. A Harley T-shirt and shorts would be fine.”
    “Carla…”
    “Well, okay, maybe not, but lifting? Sure.”
    “I’m not going. I can’t afford it.”
    “Sure you can.”
    “I can’t.”
    Her smile took on an impish tilt. “You know that pass I told you about? It also says I can take a guest .”

Chapter Six
    The police department was on the way home, so I glided into a parking space and locked the bike. Regardless of what Carla thought, I wasn’t so out of shape I couldn’t handle the big machine. I gave it an extra waggle from side to side, feeling its weight, just to prove I could.
    The receptionist, Gladys, greeted me with a smile. “Good morning, Stella. Can I help you with something?”
    I set my helmet on the counter and leaned on it. “Willard in? I wanted to talk to him about my friend Carla.”
    Her forehead furrowed, then relaxed. “You mean Carla Beaumont, the one who got car-jacked yesterday? How is she?”
    “She’s fine, I think. I’m just coming from the hospital. She’s there for observation, and I have a feeling she’ll annoy them enough about getting food they’ll be glad to see her go.”
    Gladys laughed. “I guess that’s a good sign, if she’s hungry.”
    “I guess. But then, she’s always hungry.”
    Gladys pushed a button and the dividing door clicked. “Go on back. The detective’s doing some paperwork on the truck theft and will probably be happy for the interruption.”
    I made my way to Willard’s office and stuck my head in the door. Paperwork lay stacked on his desk, but he wasn’t working on it. Instead, he sat back in his chair, looking out the window and bouncing a pencil in his hand.
    “I don’t know,” I said. “My taxes shouldn’t be paying for daydreaming.”
    He swiveled around in his chair. “Who’s daydreaming? That was some focused theorizing you were