Love Will Find a Way Read Online Free PDF Page B

answer a question like that? She decided not to even try. “Do you have homework?"
    Larry wrinkled his nose, “Yeah, calculus and government."
    "Why don't you do it in the living room?” Emily began to stack dishes. “I'll be in when I'm finished here."
    Larry pushed back his plate. “Maybe we can persuade Dad to come back home.” His young face was expectant. “We could ask."
    She couldn't allow him to entertain false hopes. “I don't think that would be wise."
    Larry stood holding onto the back of his chair his eyes following Emily's every movement. “Kevin says Dad has a girlfriend. Is that true?"
    Emily struggled for control. “I don't think she's a girl. A young woman would be a more apt description.” She was going to cry, and she didn't want to do it in Larry's presence. Lifting a stack of dishes in each hand, she headed for the kitchen.
    Larry called after her, “Why, Mom? Why?"
    How could she explain to her young son something she didn't understand herself? This was Robert's problem. He would have to deal with it. “That's something you will have to ask your dad."
    The doorbell rang while Emily was putting silverware in the dishwasher. She could hear the sound of voices mingling in conversation as she closed the dishwasher and turned the control to start. Should she go in? Best, she decided, to wait and give Robert some time alone with Larry.
    The air was suddenly rent with the clash of loud voices and the slamming of a door. Before Emily could collect her scattered senses, Robert was standing in the kitchen door glaring at her. “Is this your idea of revenge, trying to turn Larry against me?"
    Emily wiped her hands on a dishtowel and hung it on a rack over the sink before she turned to ask, “Do you think I would stoop that low?"
    His shoulders sagged. “No. Forgive me. You've been more than decent about this whole affair."
    Her eyes met his. She saw anger there and guilt, and pain. Deep lines fanned out around his eyes and bracketed his mouth. Pointing to a chair, Emily asked, “Would you like to sit down?"
    He sat on the edge of the chair and put his elbows on the kitchen table. “I didn't expect such an intense reaction from Larry."
    "Larry's young. This is his first experience with heartbreak. He doesn't know how to cope."
    "He asked me to come home.” Twin splotches of red burned across Robert's high cheekbones. “When I tried to explain why I couldn't do that, he ran from the room."
    "Running away is his way of dealing. He'll come around.” Even as she spoke, Emily wondered why she was trying to spare the feelings of a man who had torn her world apart.
    Robert wasn't convinced. “I don't think he will. Not anytime soon, at least. Larry feels I've deserted him."
    "Haven't you?” Emily asked bitterly.
    Robert dropped his hands to his sides. “May I have a cup of coffee?"
    She wanted to remind him that this was no longer his home. Instead she said, “I just washed the pot."
    "Could I have a glass of water then?"
    If he didn't want her for a wife, she was damned if she would be his servant. “You know your way around. Help yourself."
    Robert ran water into a glass, drank it all and then set the empty glass on the counter.
    Emily moved around him and began to walk toward the dining room.
    Robert called after her, “Are you running away too?"
    Emily stopped in the dining room door. “No.” Without turning, she asked, “Did you get your things?"
    Robert came to stand directly behind her. “Yes."
    She could feel his nearness, sense the tenseness in his body. “May I have my house keys?” Turning, she extended her hand.
    He took the keys from his pocket and laid them in her palm. “I'd better go."
    Emily wrapped her fingers around the keys. “That sounds like a good idea. Good-bye, Robert.” She looked around the door toward the living room. Larry was nowhere in sight. Thank God for that. The last thing he needed now was to see the animosity that existed between his parents.
    Robert