Saving Abby Read Online Free PDF Page A

Apparently, it was Kim’s turn, and they were having dessert night at Sweet Bites Bakery.
    That was always Josh’s favorite because she often came home with goodies for him.
    “What did you tell her?”
    “Kim?” Josh asked. “That I’d drive you myself because you could use a night out.”
    “My personal chauffeur, huh?” She rubbed his arm before leaning her head on his shoulder.
    “Anything for you.” He kissed the top of her head before putting his arm around her. “I’m serious though. You need to get out. Maybe being with your girlfriends will help.”
    She looked up at him and saw the worry in his eyes.
    “I’m not depressed, Josh.” She knew he thought so, even though he hadn’t said anything to her. She heard it in his voice.
    “I didn’t say you were.”
    “No? Then are you researching depression for a future book?” When she’d opened the iPad they shared, she’d seen the web pages he’d been browsing.
    “I’m just . . . worried.”
    Claire sat up. “I know you are. I am too. This isn’t normal, even for me. But I’m not depressed. Just really tired.”
    She would know if she were depressed, right?
    “Tell you what. How about if I go for a few hours, and then we could go for a walk along the boardwalk? We haven’t done that in a while.” She forced a smile, hoping it also came through in her voice. She didn’t like the idea of him doubting her, thinking she was depressed. She wasn’t. She could handle this. Handle the life they’d been given. She could.
    Josh reached for her hand and threaded his fingers through hers. “I’d like that.”
    Maybe this exhaustion and lack of hunger was her body’s way of dealing with the loss. Maybe the emotional toil was starting to show physically.
    Either way, it was unacceptable, and maybe . . . just maybe she needed to stop giving in.
    “You know what would go great with this cupcake? A fresh pot of coffee. I can feel a headache coming on, and it’s probably due to lack of caffeine. I’ll need it, especially if you want me to look over that scene again too.” The first step was to get back to work. She could do this. Sure, her body was exhausted, but that was no excuse. They had deadlines to deal with, and if this was a simple case of mind over matter, then it was time her body got the message.
    “Coffee is made, and I made some changes to that chapter. Let’s go sit outside, so we can go over it. But before we do that, how about you call and set up an appointment with Abigail for a thorough checkup.” He leaned down and gave her a kiss. “I believe you when you say you’re not depressed. But something is wrong, and don’t tell me it’s just jet lag, okay?”
    She let him pull her up off the bed and stretched her back as she yawned. “I’m really not in the mood to be poked and prodded anymore.”
    Josh stared at her, unblinking, his face unreadable.
    “I’m fine, but if it will ease your mind . . . then okay.”
    “Thank you.” He smiled. “It does ease my mind. I’m here to take care of you, protect you . . . but this . . . I don’t know what to do with you sleeping all day. Now”—he bent down and scooped her into his arms—“let’s get you downstairs so we can get to work, otherwise . . . I may get some other ideas.” He waggled his eyebrows the way he often did, and she laughed.
    She leaned her head against his chest, held on to the plate with the cupcake so it wouldn’t fall off, and let him carry her down the stairs.
    She didn’t know what to do about her lethargy either. Thanks to her mother, she was on a plethora of vitamins and herbs, and yet nothing seemed to work.
    “I grabbed the mail while you were sleeping. One of the postcards we mailed finally arrived.” Josh watched his steps as he carried her down to the main floor.
    “Which one?” It was a tradition of theirs to send themselves a postcard from wherever they’d visited. It was something Claire’s mom, Millie, had started