Free Where Two Hearts Meet by Carrie Turansky Page B

it, joking with her about the phrase. She had pasted on a smile and asked Tessa to take her picture for Haley.
    A loud knock startled her out of her reverie. She turned and looked toward the front door. The reflection of the interior lights made it impossible to see through the glass. “I’m sorry, we’re closed.” She glanced uneasily over her shoulder at the empty teashop.
    “Allie, it’s me.”
    Recognition flashed through her. She hurried over and unlocked the door.
    Tyler stood in the doorway, wearing jeans and a soft blue shirt and carrying a large black portfolio. He looked at her with a somber, almost haggard expression.
    She greeted him with a tremulous smile. “Hi.”
    He walked in and shut the door.
    She stepped forward and hugged him, but he remained stiff and unyielding in her arms.
    Fear moved through her, tightening her stomach. She stepped back and looked up at him. “What’s wrong?”
    A storm brewed in his brown eyes. “What’s going on, Allie?”
    “What do you mean?”
    “I’ve just been through one of the toughest times in my life. I needed you.” His voice sounded hushed and strained. “Where have you been?”
    Shock waves jolted through her. “What do you mean, where have I been? You’re the one who disappeared without a word.”
    “I called you Friday night before I left.”
    “I waited here until after seven. The phone never rang. I went to Tessa and Matt’s for my birthday, but the whole time I was worried about you.”
    A painful, confused look filled his face. “I’m sorry about your birthday. I called your house from the airport. I explained everything.”
    “What were you doing at the airport?”
    “Didn’t you listen to your answering machine?”
    She lifted her hand in exasperation. “There was no message from you, only one that started with a long pause, and I knew—” Too late, realization flashed through her.
    “That was me. I had a hard time getting started. I wanted to talk to you, not leave a message.”
    Allie sank onto the wooden bench. “I thought it was a sales call. I deleted it.” She looked up and noticed the tired lines around his eyes. “Where did you go?”
    “I had to fly to Florida. My dad had a heart attack.”
    She pulled in a sharp breath, regret tightening her throat. “Oh, Tyler. Is he all right?”
    “He had to have surgery, but it looks like he’s going to be okay.” He raked his hand through his hair and sat down on the bench next to her. “My stepmom’s sister, Barbara, came down yesterday. She can stay as long as they need her. So I decided it was time to come home.” He looked at her with a renewed tenderness. “I missed you, Allie.”
    “I’m so sorry. I didn’t know. I called your cell phone and your apartment. I left you a message each time. I was so worried about you.”
    “I dropped my phone in the rain on the way to the airport, and I spent almost all weekend at the hospital. I stopped by the office, but I haven’t been home yet.” He leaned back against the wall and closed his eyes. “Man, I can’t believe this. We both tried to get hold of each other.” He turned to her. “Did you think I’d taken off again?” His intense gaze focused on her, pain in his eyes.
    She reached for his hand. “I was worried about you—and about us. I went over to your apartment on Saturday. When you didn’t answer the door, I let myself in. I felt like a snoop, but I had to be sure you weren’t lying on the floor with a broken leg or something like that.”
    Tyler nodded. “Of course I wasn’t there.”
    “No.” Allison smiled. “But I saw the photo of us on your laptop and the Bible open on your desk. I read the verses you underlined in 1 Corinthians 13. My name was written in the margin.” She smiled. “Do you remember when you wrote that?” He glanced away, looking embarrassed. “I don’t know. Awhile ago, I guess.”
    “You dated it more than a year ago in February. That was before I even opened Sweet