Free The Girl He Left Behind by Patricia Kay Page A

pray. Finally, though, she knew she had to call Adam. She waited until her mother had gone grocery shopping and placed the call. The number rang and rang and rang, but he never answered. Twice more, over the next day, she called. And twice more, there was no answer at all. Not even voice mail.
    Her mother kept asking her what was wrong. Eve kept lying and saying nothing. But sooner or later, she would have to tell her parents. And then what? She would break their hearts.
    Even years later, she wasn’t sure what she’d have done if Bill hadn’t shown up at their house the following afternoon and asked Eve’s mother if he could take Eve out for a ride.
    â€œI have to drive over to San Marcos to see a client, and I thought Eve might want to visit the campus. You know, check out her dorm.”
    Anna had been delighted. Ellen Ruth Kelly, Bill’s mother, was Anna’s best friend, and the two families had been close for what seemed like forever. The Kellys were Eve’s godparents, and her parents were Bill’s. Bill was almost like a son.
    So Eve, glad to escape her mother’s scrutiny, went with Bill. But seeing the campus, knowing she probably wouldn’t be going to college that fall, had been her downfall. She’d tried to hide her unhappiness, but Bill knew her too well.
    â€œWhat’s wrong, Eve?” he asked, putting his arm around her shoulder.
    She shook her head. What could she say?
    â€œC’mon. You can tell me.”
    His gentleness was her undoing. She began to cry, her entire body shaking. Alarmed, he guided her to a shady bench and they sat. He kept his arm around her, and she allowed the comfort it afforded. The whole story came tumbling out. When she finished, she felt drained. “I don’t know what to do,” she said, closing her eyes. She waited for his censure.
    â€œI do,” he said.
    Her eyes opened and she stared at him.
    â€œMarry me,” he said. “Marry me and let me be your baby’s father.”
    â€œBut, Bill, how—?”
    â€œI love you, Eve. I’ve always loved you. You know that, right?”
    She shook her head.
    â€œYou must have known. Why do you think I’ve kept coming by? Wanting to see you?”
    â€œWe...we’re friends,” she stammered. “Our families...”
    â€œI’ve loved you for years. I was just waiting until you got older.”
    â€œYou...you love me?”
    â€œI do. And I want to marry you. I want to be the father of your children.”
    When she would have protested, he put his hand over her mouth.
    â€œDon’t say no. This is the perfect solution. The boy, the baby’s father, he’s gone, right?”
    â€œY-yes, he’s gone,” she whispered. She had not told him Adam’s name or where Adam had gone, but she knew she would have to.
    â€œAnd he didn’t return your phone calls.”
    â€œNo.”
    â€œWell, then...this is the perfect solution. It’s the perfect time, too. I’m out of college now and have a good job. I can take care of you. We’ll get married right away. Our baby will come a little early, but our parents won’t care. They’ve wanted us to get together for years. They’ll be happy.”
    â€œI—I don’t know...”
    â€œOf course you do. This is meant to be.”
    It didn’t take long for Eve to see Bill was right. Marrying him was the perfect solution.
    A little less than seven months later, their twins were born. Nathan James and Natalie Jean Kelly. Bill’s name was on the birth certificate.
    He was their father.
    And always would be.
    * * *
    â€œEve, I know you’ve been worried about the layoffs.” Joan Wallace, the owner of the Crandall Lake Courier , leaned back in her chair.
    â€œWe all have,” Eve said. It was Monday morning, and Eve had just arrived at the offices of the paper, only to be immediately called into her boss’s