Free The PIECES of SUMMER by Wanda E. Brunstetter Page B

good idea.”
    “How come?”
    “For one thing, I have no money and wouldn’t be able to pay them any room and board.”
    “You’ll earn your keep by helping out with some chores.”
    “But why would they want to take a total stranger into their home? For all they know,
     I might be a terrible person.”
    “Do you think you’re a terrible person, Eddie?” Susan questioned.
    He shook his head. “I don’t feel like I am, but since I can’t remember anything about
     my past, guess I could have done some terrible things.”
    “I doubt it,” she said, reaching over to stroke the kitten’s head. “You’re kind and
     gentle, even with this little stray kitten, so I’m thinking you’ve always been like
     that.”
    Eddie sat quietly for several minutes, then he released a soft moan.
    “What’s wrong? Are you in pain?” she asked, feeling concern.
    “Not here,” he said, touching his head. “But here.” He placed his hand over his heart.
     “I’ve been having nightmares lately where I see a woman holding her arms out to me,
     but she has no face.” He looked at Susan, and his beautiful turquoise eyes seemed
     to penetrate her soul. “I know it wasn’t you I was dreaming about, ’cause if it had
     been, I’m sure I’d have seen your pretty face.”
    A rush of heat spread over Susan’s cheeks. Was Eddie flirting with her? Did she want
     him to? “Thanks for the compliment,” she murmured. Knowing she needed to get back
     to the subject of where he would stay, she quickly said, “You know, Eddie, if you
     take a room at my grandparents’ place, we’ll see each other more, because Anne and
     I live there, too.”
    Eddie’s face brightened. “You do?”
    She nodded. “We’ve been with Grandma and Grandpa ever since our folks were killed
     in a car crash when we were girls.”
    Deep wrinkles formed across his forehead. “I’m sorry to hear about your folks, but
     I think your grandpa and grandma must have done a good job raising you ’cause you
     and your sister are the nicest women I’ve ever known.” He dropped his gaze, and his
     shoulders slumped. “Course, I’m not sure how many women I’ve known before.”
    She gave his shoulder a gentle squeeze. “So, how about it, Eddie? Are you willing
     to stay at my grandparents’ house when the doctor releases you as an outpatient?”
    He nodded slowly, while stroking the kitten’s head. “If your grandparents are anything
     like you and Anne, then I’m sure I’ll like it there.”

Bird-in-Hand
    “Are you okay?” Laurie asked Meredith as they rode in the buggy toward Meredith’s
     home. “You look downright miserable today.”
    “My back hurts really bad, and I’ve been having twinges all morning.” Meredith touched
     her stomach. “I’ll sure be glad when the boppli is born.”
    Laurie’s eyes widened as she turned to look at Meredith. “You’re not in labor, I hope.”
    Meredith shook her head and flinched when the buggy hit a bump in the road. “At least,
     I don’t think I am.”
    “How bad is the pain? Should we turn around and head back so you can talk to Mom about
     this?”
    “No, I don’t think it’s anything to worry about. I’m not due for a couple more weeks,
     and most first-time mothers that I know have been late, not early, giving birth.”
    “But everyone’s different,” Laurie said, clucking to the horse to get him moving faster.
     “Remember what they said at the last childbirth class? Those back pains you’re having
     could be labor pains, after all.”
    “I suppose, but—” Meredith grimaced. “Oh, oh.”
    “What’s wrong Meredith?” Laurie’s voice held a note of panic.
    “My water just broke, and…” Meredith winced. “I—I think the boppli wants to be born
     today, not two weeks from now.”
    “Hang on while I look for the nearest phone shack so I can call for help.”
    Another pain came, this one harder than the last. “You’d better pull over, Laurie.
     I can’t believe it,