Homecoming Day Read Online Free PDF Page A

forty-five minutes, he shoved his last bite of pizza into his mouth. “Laura, this has been great, but I’ve got to be at the station.”
    â€œThanks for dinner, but more than that, thanks for caring, Lieutenant.”
    â€œI thought I was Seth now?” he reminded her.
    â€œYou are.” Laura smiled as she repeated his name. “Seth. Thanks for following up with JT and for the pizza. Any night I don’t have to cook is a bonus.”
    â€œI’ll try to stop in and check on JT…Friday, if that works?”
    â€œThat would be nice.”
    â€œI’ll see you then. Take the rest of the pizza home, would you? I hate to let it go to waste.” He stood up.
    Laura got up out of her chair. It was almost painful to watch her struggle onto her feet. “Sure. Feed the pregnant woman. That’s what she needs.”
    He’d forgotten about her being pregnant and blanched at the reminder. “Friday. See you Friday.” He bolted.
    He knew that’s what he’d done. It was cowardly. Still, seeing her reminded him of Allie. And even now, years later, it hurt.
    And now he’d promised to visit Laura on Friday.
    Way to go, Keller.
    Â 
    O N T HURSDAY AT HER SECOND period freshman art class, Laura took attendance and discovered that JT wasn’t there.
    She toyed with Seth’s card.
    During her lunch break, she called the number and got his voice mail. “Hi, Seth. You said to let you know if I had any problems with JT. Well, she didn’t come to school today. I’m going to head over to her house after school. I’ll keep you posted.” She was ready to hang up and then added, “Oh, I should have said, this is Laura.”
    What a moron, of course he’d know it was her. Who else would have called about JT?
    She tried the number listed on JT’s contact form. No one answered.
    By the time school ended, she gathered up her things and hurried out of the room…and right into Lieutenant Seth Keller’s ample chest.
    He jumped back as if he’d been burned, went beet-red and stammered, “Are you okay? The baby. I mean—”
    â€œI’m fine. We’re fine,” she assured him.
    â€œWhere were you speeding to?” He pinned her with a look her father had often employed. One she suspected she’d need to learn as her baby grew up. The look said, go ahead and answer, because I already know the answer, and I’m not pleased.
    The look had made her feel chagrined when her father had employed it, not so when Seth used it. “To JT’s house, like I told you in that message. I’m worried that she didn’t show up at school today.”
    â€œYou were going by yourself?”
    She nodded. Seth looked—well, he looked pissed. “Okay. Laura, I know I have no say in what you do, but—”
    â€œYou’re right you have no say in anything I do.”
    She started walking down the hall and Seth dogged her heels, which she expected wasn’t all that hard considering her girth. She already felt winded, while he spoke in a nice, even measure. “Yeah, well, still…you’re pregnant and arriving alone at the home of a student whose mother you know has a temper…does that seem wise?”
    She stopped and hoped that he took the gesture as annoyance, not the fact she’d walked too fast andneeded to catch her breath. To give herself a moment, she gave him a look she used on her students. It wasn’t as intimidating as the paternal-look was, but it was the best in her arsenal. When she thought she could speak without huffing and puffing, she said, “Pardon me, Lieutenant, but when did you sign on as my keeper? I missed the paperwork on that.”
    â€œObviously someone should watch out for you.”
    The words hit her and her annoyance evaporated, replaced by sadness. Seth was right. Someone should. Jay should be here, fussing over her, worrying about her worrying about