Heart Echoes Read Online Free PDF Page A

lying down. “I thought I’d seen you at your worst. Like after those survival campouts with the boys. But you’ve taken that macho-man disheveled look to new heights. Speaking of the boys, have you heard from the school?”
    â€œCindy called for me.”
    â€œAll okay?”
    â€œYeah. The office?” He winced with the effort of talking.
    â€œI haven’t been able to phone anyone yet. Did they give you something?”
    â€œMm-hmm.”
    â€œLet me guess.” She held his hand and stroked the platinum wedding band. “You refused everything except one over-the-counter, low-dose-capsule pain reliever.” Even that could put him to sleep. If he took two, no telling what would happen. His body seemed incapable of processing drugs without a major upheaval in his system. “You can nap.”
    â€œNooo.” The word was an exhale.
    She put a finger on his lips. “Stop talking.”
    He kissed her finger and gazed at her, gratitude written all over him. She saw it in his lean face and strong chin, at rest despite the stress his body was experiencing. “Find Mai.”
    She took a deep breath, torn between staying with him and tracking down their daughter. “The cell signal won’t hold. I have to find a pay phone.” If Maiya didn’t answer, she would call Shauna. She would check voice messages from their house line, from River’s cell, from her cell. She wanted to check in with the office, too.
    â€œCall your family,” he whispered.
    â€œOregon can wait.”
    His eyes went to half-mast and not because of exhaustion. It wasn’t that he disapproved of her choices or that he intentionally dumped loads of guilt on her. He simply never gave up suggesting she might want to be a little more thoughtful toward her family for her own sake.
    She said, “But Jenny and Aaron can’t wait.” At least she had a relationship with his sister and her new husband. “I’ll try to reach them in Paris.” Teal laid her head carefully on his shoulder. “Listen to me, planning a dozen calls like no one else will be using the pay phones.”
    He ruffled her hair. A moment later he was snoring.

    Maiya did not answer her cell phone.
    The Yoshidas answered Teal’s house phone. Maiya was not there.
    Teal stole a glance over her shoulder. The line for the two pay phones was not getting any shorter. She had waited twenty-five minutes for her turn. People were being polite over the whole thing, not complaining or frowning at her. It seemed the worst scenario was bringing out the best in humanity.
    She pressed more numbers, grateful she still carried a business phone card.
    Shauna answered her house phone on the first ring, her voice nowhere near its usual calm alto. “Hello!” Teal imagined her friend’s sweet face crumpled in worry over her wide range of family and friends.
    â€œShauna, it’s me.”
    â€œYou guys okay? I’ve been leaving messages on your voice mails.”
    â€œI haven’t been able to check any. We’re good. Almost.” She gave a quick rundown of River’s situation. “You’re all fine?”
    â€œYes. We were home when it hit.”
    â€œOh, thank God! Thank God. Can I talk to Maiya?”
    â€œMaiya?”
    A deathly silence fell between them, the facts slithering into both mothers’ consciences at the same time.
    â€œShauna.” Teal’s mouth went dry.
    â€œShe’s not here, Teal. Why do you think she’s here?”
    â€œShe spent the night.”
    â€œNo. She didn’t. Amber!” Shauna shouted her daughter’s name. “Amber Jaleene! Get in here right this minute !”
    Teal slumped against the small partition and put an elbow on the shelf. Dear God. Dear God. Dear God.
    Now she heard Shauna talking to her daughter. “Amber, where is Maiya? Don’t give me that shrug. Teal thinks she spent the night here. Why does she