Page 10 of Love on the Run

She positioned the jacket over her shoulders. “I’ll leave this on, but I’m taking the pants off.”

Beau didn’t try to change her mind again. He walked straight over to the coffee pot and started gathering the things needed to brew a pot.

She clumsily removed the pants and hung them over the back of a chair. The jerky movements and lack of balance didn’t feel right. It was usually easy to be graceful.

Not today, apparently.

Her phone buzzed again, and she left it bumping over the table. Talking to anyone right now would only end in tears.

“Should I turn it off?” she asked.

Beau propped an arm against the counter by the coffeemaker. “If you want to.”

Turning off her phone wasn’t something she ever did. She had clients, friends, and family, and she liked being available to them all the time.

Well, some of them. Her mom’s calls tended to summon red splotches on her chest and neck.

Did she want to turn it off? She couldn’t remember the last time she’d done that. Wasn’t it rude to ignore the mess she’d have to clean up today?

The screech of a metal door opening jerked Anna’s attention from the phone, and the clicking of heels sounded down the hallway.

“Sounds like reinforcements are here,” Beau said as he slipped out of the room without waiting for the coffee to finish brewing.

Chapter 4

Anna

Olivia launched herself at Anna. “I’m here. It’s going to be okay. I promise.”

Her friend’s embrace was enough to send her over the edge. Anna never let the world see her feelings unless it was happiness.

But Olivia? Olivia was Anna’s safe place, her shoulder to cry on, and her midnight call. Olivia was the one she could count on to be there for her through anything.

“It’s okay. I promise. We took care of everything and also managed to have Dean escorted out by Asa and Dawson.”

A laugh broke through Anna’s tears. “I wish I’d been there for that.”

“It was glorious. He was furious, and Misty cried enough to fill akiddie pool.”

The unease was back. Misty had won in a way. Why did she feel sorry for the woman?

Relief and a gut-wrenching sadness warred within her. Dean hadn’t respected her enough to remain loyal. She might have high expectations for love, but Scripture said love was faithful.

She could have been trapped in a marriage with him. Yes, trapped would be the appropriate description of a relationship without fidelity.

“Back to square one,” Anna whispered.

“Stop that,” Olivia said, breaking the hug to look at Anna. “You’re an amazing person, and I know God has the perfect man for you out there.”

A chuckle shook Anna’s shoulders. “He got lost.”

Olivia laughed too, but it lacked mirth. “He’s not lost. God knows the timing too. It’s just not right this minute.”

Anna sighed. “I know. I’m trying really hard to be patient.”

Olivia rubbed her hands over Anna’s shoulders. “You’re doing great. Patience is tough. Just ask Dawson.”

Dawson had waited very patiently for Olivia to open her heart to him. He never pushed, but he never gave up either.

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