The Road to Mercy Read Online Free PDF Page B

could—”
    He pressed his lips to hers, silencing her protest. Her jaw quivered, and tears welled in her eyes. Despite her putting on a strong front, his leaving tore her apart. With her unfettered arm, she reached up and pulled him closer, wanting to hold him forever. Josh responded with lingering lips on hers, and a dam of pent-up emotions broke inside her. Tears streamed down her face. If only she could tell him everything.
    She retreated into his warm, strong embrace, the fragrance of him reassuring her for the moment. Life had been so good. Why had her past come back to confront her?
    They held each other until darkness overtook the dusk outside her window. Finally, feigning sleep, she allowed her husband to slip quietly out of the room, leaving her alone with questions, fear, pain—and guilt for what she could not tell him.

6
Present Day
    Hey, girl! How are you feeling this morning?” Alex walked into the hospital room carrying a huge bouquet of purple blooms.
    “Those are beautiful,” Beth said, trying to sit up in bed and reach for the flowers. When she did, she became entangled in the tubes and wires that ran from the medical machines lined up beside her. Without warning she burst into tears.
    Not again
. The thought of crying made her cry even harder.
    “Here, let me help.” Alex set the vase on the bedside table and began to methodically untangle the tubing that filled Beth’s veins with drips and doses of solutions.
    Beth wasn’t quite sure what kind of
solution
they represented. Her head still hurt and her mental focus fluctuated from zero to obsession in sixty seconds. “I’m sorry,” she said, doing her best to regain control.
    “Why are you crying, Mama? Everything is going to be okay.”
    The word
mama
brought a smile to Beth’s face. Alex had been calling her that since she found out about Beth’s pregnancy a few days ago.
    Her neighbor and friend had been a godsend. She had stepped in to take care of everything since Josh left town on Thursday night. Alex fed and exercised Buster at home and then brought food and personal items to Beth at the hospital. Beth was thankful her neighbor had the time to give. If Alex had a family of her own, she might not be able to help.
    Beth had often wondered why Alexandra Hayes had stayed single into her early forties. It certainly wasn’t for a lack of physical beauty. She imagined the vivacious redhead had left a trail of broken hearts behind her. Today, Alex’s copper-colored hair hung in a loose braid over her shoulder, and she looked fit and trim in a white cotton shirt and khaki pants.
    “Do you want a tissue?” Alex asked, picking up the box from beside the bed.
    “Yes, please.” Beth took one with her free hand and wiped away the stream of saltwater that had trickled down her cheek. “I’m sorry. I’m just a little emotional right now.”
    “Well, I can certainly understand why. It’s not like your life hasn’t changed drastically in the past week.” Alex plumped Beth’s pillow and then returned to the task of untangling wires and tubes.
    “Thanks for your help.”
    “I’m afraid I’m not doing a very good job.” Alex laughed as she picked at the mess. The freckles on her face knit together while she worked. “I’m afraid I might pull something loose if I apply too much pressure. If I did, do you think you would deflate like a hot air balloon?” Alex offered a wry smile.
    Beth laughed out loud. “I’m not too worried about that. But I’m worried about falling asleep and offending my company.” She yawned. The sedatives Dr. Abrams had ordered were keeping her down.
    “Lie back and relax,” Alex said. “You won’t hurt my feelings, I promise.”
    Beth turned away, staring at the ceiling. She took several slow breaths, in and out, while Alex worked. The lines between the ceiling tiles began to blur, and then Beth heard them. Laughing. Talking. Playing.
    “I give up. I’m calling a nurse.” Alex hit the call button on the