LEAD ME ON by Julie Ortolon (find a book to read TXT) 📕

He started to protest.

“No, really, I’ll be fine. Now, if you’ll excuse me”— she lifted the tray—“I need to get this on the warming stand.”

He watched her paste on a smile and head into the dining room. His heart grew heavy in his chest at her last words. After everything they’d been through, she still thought of him as a guest she happened to be sleeping with. Temporarily.

“Sadie, wait for me,” Allison called as the little dog raced ahead of her on the trail to Rory and Chance’s house. The dog turned and charged back, a blur of sable and white fur moving through patches of shadow and light. Allison laughed at such exuberance and envied the pure joy of the moment.

Sadie fell in step, prancing beside her, as they continued down the shaded path. Up ahead, she could see the wood frame house tucked beneath the trees and the tightness returned to her chest. Scott was right. She needed to tell her sister everything.

Telling Scott had been painful, but it had also been cathartic to let all the ugly emotions she’d held down so long rush out of her. It had left her drained, but strangely lighter, as if a physical weight had been lifted from her. Falling apart that way in front of him should have embarrassed her, but they’d grown too close over the past week for that. She felt comfortable with him in a way she’d never been with anyone before.

The realization had a whole new worry gnawing at the edge of her mind but she pushed it away as she stepped onto the porch that wrapped around two sides of the house. While the low-pitched green metal roof made the house nearly invisible from the inn, the porch that faced the cove offered a panoramic view. Rocking chairs, a porch swing, and baskets of colorful flowers created a peaceful spot to enjoy the gulf breeze. A wind chime danced merrily as songbirds squabbled at the birdfeeder.

Gathering her courage, Allison rapped on the screen door. Chance appeared a moment later, his smile and dazed look still firmly in place.

“Hi, Alli, come in. Aurora’s been waiting for you to come by.” He held the door so she and Sadie could step into the light and airy living room. The two-bedroom house offered only a small kitchen and breakfast nook, since Rory and Chance ate most of their meals in the kitchen at the inn.

“Sadie, no barking, okay? You be good,” she admonished the dog as they headed down the short hall to the master suite. Sensing her nervousness, Sadie stuck close to her side. When they reached the room, they found Rory standing by the bassinet in front of the windows. The light through the sheer curtains bathed her in a soft glow, giving her the look of a guardian angel with her long golden-red hair and the full-length peach satin robe.

“Is she awake?” Chance asked, sounding hopeful as he joined Rory. They stood arm in arm, staring down into the white-wicker bassinet.

“No, she’s still sound asleep. I guess the ride home wore her out.” Rory smiled at Allison, but concern shone in her eyes. “Are you feeling better? Adrian said you weren’t well last night.”

“I’m fine.”

“You’re not contagious, are you?” Rory asked.

“No.” Allison laughed lightly at that. “I’m not contagious.”

“Well then, come see your beautiful niece.”

Allison forced herself to move forward, to stand by the bassinet and look inside. Baby Lauren lay on her back, as perfect as a china doll with smooth white skin and rosy cheeks. Her pink lips moved in a sucking motion that was so endearing, tears filled Allison’s eyes.

“Alli?” Rory laid a hand on her arm. “What’s wrong?”

She wiped her wet lashes, wishing she could run back to the inn and hide in her room. “I—I need to talk to you.”

An awkward moment passed as Rory and Chance exchanged a look.

“I’ll go check on the casserole Adrian stuck in the oven when he came over.” Chance kissed Rory’s forehead.

“Sadie, you go on with him,” Alli said, deciding the sensitive dog didn’t need to witness another emotional scene. “Chance will give you a treat.”

The little sheltie barked once, then trotted after Chance.

“Let’s sit down,” Rory said when they were alone. Moving gingerly, she climbed into bed where a stack of pillows had been propped up against the headboard. “I’ve been worried about you ever since Adrian said Scott had to take you home last night. And then when Adrian came to the birthing center today and you didn’t, I was afraid something was really wrong.”

“I’m sorry, Rory. I didn’t mean to upset you.” She sat on the bed, facing her sister, but couldn’t quite look at her. “There’s something I need to tell you. Something I should have told you a long time ago.” She smoothed the fabric of her sundress. “Do you remember when I was sixteen and had to go to the hospital?”

“Yes. Aunt Viv said it was some sort of female problem, but never really explained. Then there was so much else going on when Adrian got into trouble, I was afraid to ask.” Rory took hold of her hand. “So what did happen?”

Allison kept her gaze fixed on their joined hands, holding on tight. “I had a miscarriage.” Her sister said nothing, and she looked up to see the shock on Rory’s face.

“You had a miscarriage?” Rory’s shoulders sagged as if she’d taken a blow. “And you never told me?”

“Rory, you were only fourteen.”

“But that was nearly eleven years ago.” The words held an edge of accusation. “I can’t believe you never told me.”

“It was too painful for me to talk about.”

“What about Adrian?” Rory glanced about, as if trying to get her bearings. “Does he know?”

She nodded as tears clogged her throat. “That was why he attacked Peter in the locker room. When I found out I was pregnant, I told Adrian first. I was so scared. Peter wanted me