Song of the Brokenhearted Read Online Free PDF Page B

right.”
    â€œSo . . . what does that mean? In laywoman’s terms.”
    â€œLet’s talk tomorrow night after the game. We’ll sit on the balcony and have a glass of wine. I’m sure Sienna will be visiting old friends anyway. Oh, can you grab her from the airport? I sent her a text that I can’t pick her up. We’re having that meeting with the board all afternoon.”
    This wasn’t like Dane. He always picked Sienna up from the airport. Dad and daughter had a special relationship, as if they’d been woven together using the same ingredients.
    â€œSure, I can. What’s the meeting about?”
    â€œA few tricky things. Don’t worry.” He came around and kissed her neck. His lips were cold, making her flinch.
    Ava turned out the house lights and locked the doors.
    Don’t worry .

Five
    â€œT HIS IS A VA K ENT,” SHE SAID, ANSWERING THE PHONE BEFORE she was fully awake. Her hand reached for her notebook and pen in the drawer as she bumped her head on the edge of the bedside table.
    Sitting up, she rubbed her head and glanced at the space beside her. Dane’s side of the bed was empty with the pillow untouched.
    â€œIs this Aunt Ava?”
    â€œUh-huh,” she muttered, then her eyes flew open. “Um, who are you calling?”
    â€œAunt Ava?”
    â€œThis is . . . Ava,” she said, trying to figure out who’d call her aunt . Her mind was still muddled with sleep.
    â€œThis is Bethany.”
    â€œBethany?” Ava knew a few Bethanys, but this voice didn’t match those faces. “Is there something I can help you with?”
    â€œDo you remember me?”
    â€œUh, I’m really sorry, I was sound asleep. Who is this again?”
    â€œBethany. Jessie’s daughter.”
    Ava’s back straightened. Her cousin was Jessie, and yes, her daughter was Bethany.
    â€œOf course. How are you? Is everything all right?”
    â€œYeah, we’re fine. Sorry for calling so late.”
    Ava glanced at the clock. No one called at this hour unless it was a tragedy. She braced herself for the news.
    â€œDo you remember me and my sister, Debbie?”
    â€œI do, it’s just been such a long time. The last time I saw you, you were running around with a doll in your hands.” Ava rubbed her eyes.
    â€œIt was an old doll, and after that, you sent me and Deb both a baby that sucks on a bottle and had eyes that open and close. It was the first doll that we didn’t have to share. Remember?”
    â€œI do sort of remember. I’d forgotten about that. How old are you now?”
    â€œSixteen,” she said softly, and there was a long pause.
    â€œBethany, did something happen?” Ava asked, sensing the girl wanted to share something.
    â€œWhat do you mean?”
    Ava cleared her throat. “So nothing bad happened?” You’re just calling a long-lost relative after midnight and no one is dead or dying?
    â€œNo, um, not really. Everyone is fine, I mean.”
    Ava was sure the girl wasn’t telling her something. She opened the bedroom door and walked to the staircase, leaning over to see if Dane was downstairs somewhere. All of the lights except for the one over the kitchen sink were still turned off.
    â€œI just hadn’t talked to you in a real long time. You still living in Dallas?”
    â€œWe do.”
    â€œMama says you live in a mansion.”
    Ava wanted to laugh at that. Compared to many of their friends, their house was quite humble. As she leaned against the upper banister, the low light caught on the crystal chandelier hanging from the tall ceiling in the foyer. She thought how she’d have viewed this house from the perspective of herself as a young woman like Bethany.
    â€œIt’s not really a mansion, but we’ve very grateful to be here. Do you get to Dallas often?” Ava hesitated to offer a full invitation. If she opened this door, there was no guessing