Free Forgiveness Creek: The Creek Series by Abbie St. Claire Page A

decent enough tune.”
    “What else do you have left to check off the list?”
    “Seeing my grandson marry and become a father.”
    That one got me. Was he implying it was me? Was he the one pushing us together? Did he intentionally set us up to achieve his own goal before he died? Was Dane just seeing me to make his grandfather happy?
    “Let’s get you in this chair, so you can get home and rest.”
    “You don’t fool me, Ms. Cunningham. I see things.”
    “Oh, we’re back to formalities, are we, Mr. Lawrence?”
    “I’ve got my eyes on you, Wrenn. I know you’re in love with my grandson. I watch the way you look at him, and I’ve noticed the glow that comes to your face when he’s around. Your eyes have a sparkle that wasn’t there when I first met you, and your sadness is gone. You won’t be able to hide your truth forever.”
    “Oh, Mr. Lawrence, you think too much.”

    Mom and I tried to talk every day, but sometimes she would fall asleep in her chair and not hear the phone when I called. When she would wake up, she would send me an email, since I’d installed a computer and Internet at the house.
    She refused my offer of a satellite, saying that TV was a waste of money. She liked to read inspirational romances and enjoyed the Kindle I gave her for Christmas more than any other gift I’d given her. She was a one-clicking fool, but still insisted on paying her way. With her working part-time and her social security, she managed to cover her bills.
    I looked at my wrist, and the charm caught the light. I’d worn it since the day she’d given it to me, never taking it off. It reminded me of the Circle of Life she always talked about. Only once had I mentioned her moving to Texas, and I thought she was going to throw things at me.
    “I’ve lived here since I was sixteen, the day your father made me his bride. It’s not just a home, it’s my life, and one that I want you to have. Someday, you’ll understand.”
    When I looked at the whole picture of my heritage, I envisioned pain and the dark side, but Mom saw the light and was able to forgive the dark. It didn’t have a hold on her like it did me. I wondered sometimes if she’d be able to forgive the sin of my father, the one she didn’t know.

    Dane didn’t call me while he was in China. I found that odd and a bit disheartening, but with the time zone difference, maybe he didn’t have time to connect. Regardless, the non-existence of communication left me questioning why and doubting a good bit more.
    “Does he have your email?” Karina asked one morning, while we were sharing coffee in the hospital cafeteria.
    “You know, we’ve never emailed. You’re right. I’m so stupid.”
    “Besides, I don’t think U.S. phones work overseas. He probably has a different phone.”
    It was time for my clinical rounds to start. I pushed the chair back. “Well, his grandfather says he’s coming home tonight, so they’ve communicated somehow. I wonder if I’ll see him tomorrow at Mr. Lawrence’s treatment.”
    “Hmmm, you’ll know soon enough.”
    As I was walking to meet my clinical partners, I ran into Brad, my friend from anatomy class. “Hey stranger, what are you doing here?”
    He stopped and removed his ear buds and lowered his back pack. “They have the best omelets, and I come here sometimes for breakfast. Haven’t seen you in a while, you doing all right?”
    “Yes, looking forward to graduation.”
    “Where are you working?”
    “The cancer center. Mostly in the afternoons, but it depends on my schedule with school.”
    “I should know that. I see the specimens come in to pathology. I usually work Wednesday through Friday in the lab.”
    “I think that would be a cool place to work. The patient doesn’t yell back.” I laughed.
    He slung his backpack over his shoulder. “Love to chat, but short on time. Next time I’m around your way, I’ll look you up.”
    “Please do.”
    The next day I finished my last class and headed