Page 9 of Hide My Heart
Amber’s back. I can’t believeshe has a baby. Why’d I tell her that lie about having a girlfriend? I palm my forehead and take a deep breath at the end of the hallway.
My gut bubbles, and my heart sits heavy in my chest. She’s no longer the angel I thought she was. Maybe I’m an ass for walking away, but it’s like this balloon popped, and everything I believed in went poof.
I don’t know what I expected. So many nights I imagined Amber attending college, studying in a coffee shop, or student teaching like she always wanted to do. I’d think about her with a classroom full of adorable children and winning awards, writing books, and giving lectures.
But pregnant and a single mom? This is more than I can process right now.
I walk past Darlene, the night clerk. “The woman with the baby? She decided not to stay. Called a friend who picked her up. Said this town’s so small she can’t rub two nickels together.”
Darlene yawns. “She’s probably right. I doubt anyone else is checking in. Can I go home?”
“Sure, go ahead.” I look over the registry. Other than the big rigs parked outside, the motel’s empty, like it usually is when winter sets in and the tourists head for warmer places.
After Darlene leaves, I lock up the lobby and head for the bar. It’s a Saturday night and other than the football game on TV, there’s nothing else going on.
The sound of billiard balls crack through the doorway as I saunter in. I greet Devin and Phil and settle behind the counter. Nothing ever changes here. Old man Hubbard’s snoring in a booth, despite intermittent cheers ringing from the yokels in front of the TV, and the local Harley gang hangs out playing pool.
Mom walks by and pinches my shoulders. “How many guests at the Redbird?”
“A handful.” I pop a peanut into my mouth.
She sighs. “This chill’s going to do us in. No one travels, no one drinks, no one goes out.”
“Heard there’s a crowd at the church,” Devin says. “Some winter revival with an evangelist.”
“That’s where all the women are,” Phil chips in. “Free food too.”
My mother makes a fist and slams the counter. “I ought to picket them. Bunch of hateful scaremongers. Telling everyone they’re going to hell. No wonder their precious daughter ran away.”
The hairs on the back of my neck prickle at the mention of Amber. It’s an understatement to say my mother hates her. She and all the McKays have been enemies to the Rileys, or what’s left of us, since the founding of our town.
“Heard she’s back,” Phil says. “Mr. Carson saw her at the bus stop, but she waved him off when he pulled over to offer her a ride.”
“Whatever is she doing back? Nate, did you know about this?” Mom leans over, suddenly interested.
I bobble my head. “No clue.”
Carson’s the one and only taxi driver in town. Crap. If he saw Amber, it means he knows about the baby, unless he didn’t get a clear view of Beck tucked inside the sling.
“Where do you think she went?” Mom asks. “You think she headed for the motel?” Mom’s voice is spiked with unhealthy interest.
“Uh, maybe Mr. Carson was mistaken.”
“No, he’s sure it was Amber.” Phil chugs his beer.
“That’s not what he said,” Devin pipes in. “He said she looks like Amber, but she was carrying a baby, so he figured it was someone passing through.”
Crap. Crap. They’re going to figure it out soon. If Amber’s seen with the baby, she’s toast.
My mother’s laughter slaps me like a thunderclap. “Amber has a baby? Well, that’s rich. Just rich. I can’t wait to shove Mrs. McKay’s snooty nose in her crap.”
“Wait. I think I know who Carson saw. That’s not Amber.” I push from the bar counter. Sweat broils on my back, and I rub my hands on my jeans. “It’s someone I know.”
“Who?”
Now I have everyone’s attention. Great. Just great.
“My… my… ex-girlfriend, Sharon.”
