Free Never Look Back (Coming Home Book 2) by Amy Stephens Page B

edge of the hotel property. The rain has stopped and there are puddles of water scattered across the parking lot. I scan the area until I see what I’m looking for—Rebecca’s car. I think about what I’m going to say and how I’m going to approach her, but tonight, she’s going to give me some answers.
    Rather than wait until there are no customers, I do just the opposite. I wait until several people have entered the lobby and Rebecca is obviously busy dealing with getting them checked in. I walk up to the front sidewalk staying hidden from anyone who might be waiting in the lobby area. I watch from around the concrete pole as one family piles back into their car after checking in. The car pulls down a little ways to park just outside a bottom level room and the family immediately begin to unload their luggage.
    I take my chances and walk inside the lobby ready to face Rebecca. To my surprise though, there’s no one behind the counter or in the lobby anymore. Other than the soft hum of the ceiling fan and a television that’s on low in the breakfast area, the room is quiet.
    Suddenly, I jump as the sound of a nearby slamming door fills the room. In a matter of seconds, Rebecca comes walking around the corner with her arms loaded down with clean towels. She stops dead in her tracks once she lays eyes on me. All of the towels fall to the floor.
    I instantly step closer to help her pick them up. “Here, let me give you a hand with those.”
    Her gaze is cold as ice. “What the hell do you want?”
    “Rebecca, we need to talk.” I do my best to keep my voice calm even though I’d like to get up in her face and tell her what I really think about her. “I really need to talk to you.”
    “How many times do I have to tell you? I don’t know where Jennifer is and even if I did, you would be the last person I would tell.” Her tone is filled with anger in her defense. There’s no doubt, she is doing her best to protect Jennifer.
    Just when I think I’m fighting a losing battle, a new idea quickly comes to mind. Rather than try to talk to Rebecca about the papers I received, I take a different approach and try to catch her off guard.
    “I thought you knew, Rebecca. Jennifer hasn’t called you?” I look her dead in the eyes trying to sound as believable as possible. “Jennifer came home this morning.”
    The look on Rebecca’s face is priceless. My plan is working beautifully.
    “She and I are going to give our marriage another shot. I can’t believe she didn’t call you.”
    “So where is she now?” Rebecca asks still not sure whether to believe my story or not.
    “She was so exhausted from everything, she fell asleep on the couch. She looked so peaceful and at ease, I couldn’t wake her. I just needed to talk to you to see if you could offer me some advice so I don’t screw up again.”
    The phone behind the front desk beeps indicating someone is calling for room service. Rebecca takes a step towards the counter then stops to look back at me. I can tell she’s still not convinced of my recent announcement. The phone continues to beep until finally she drops the disheveled towels down in the chair and answers the phone.
    “Front desk, this is Rebecca speaking.”
    I don’t know what the conversation pertains to, but I can tell the person on the other end of the phone call must be getting a little aggravated about something judging by the tone Rebecca has taken with them. I’m sure my news doesn’t help with her mood either.
    “Yes, I have your towels.” She snaps. “I’ll be right there with them in just a few minutes.”
    Rebecca looks back towards me. I just need to say a little more to have her convinced.
    “You should see how much her belly has grown since she’s been gone. She looks unbelievably gorgeous now.” I’m trying to work my magic. “The pregnancy makes her glow.”
    “Brian, how do I know you are telling me the truth?”
    The phone beeps again.
    Rebecca snatches the receiver