Free She Writes Love... by Sandi Lynn Page B

bars and got her pregnant. It was a one-night stand and neither one of them wanted anything more. Before she called him and told him she was pregnant, he and my mom worked things out and got back together. Lindsey’s a nice woman and she’s a good mom. All she asked for was child support for Leah because she’s deaf and she has a lot of medical bills.”
    “She’s deaf?” Paisley asked.
    “Yeah. I used to go and visit her every couple of months for a weekend. The last time I saw her was when she and Lindsey flew here for Amy’s funeral. I haven’t been there since Amy died, but we skype a lot.”
    “What about your dad?”
    “They communicate through email and sometimes Skype. It’s hard for him because he can’t understand her. When I found out she was deaf, I took a sign language class in school and I really enjoyed it. I hired a tutor who taught me more and paid for it with the money from my part-time job and grass-cutting money from over the summers. Finn isn’t really interested in getting to know her well, but she’s my sister and she should know her family.”
    “It sounds like you’re pretty close to her.”
    “I am. She’s a great kid. I just feel bad that I haven’t gone out to see her since the funeral. It’s just—”
    “You don’t need to say anymore. I know what it is and I get it.” She smiled as she reached over and placed her hand on mine.
    I smiled back at this incredible woman that sat across from me. As soon as we finished eating, we walked back to our vehicles and said our goodbyes.
    “Here’s my address. Be at my house around four-thirty and I’ll drive us to my parents’ house. We usually eat at five sharp on Sundays.”
    I took the paper from her hand and looked at her address. Her house was only about fifteen minutes from mine.
    “Bye, Paisley Logan.” I smiled as I gave a small wave and climbed into my truck.
    “Bye, Ben Preston.” She smiled back with a wave.

Chapter 16
    Paisley
    I didn’t know what I was feeling as I headed straight to the garage and lit up a cigarette. Surfing and breakfast with Ben today was amazing. Not only did it feel great hitting the water and the waves, it was nice to share the experience with someone other than Keaton. Don’t get me wrong; I love my brother and I love surfing with him, but it was nice to share my passion with someone else. Especially someone like Ben Preston. I know I smiled every time I thought about him. Guilt was a feeling that was somewhere in the back of my mind. I felt like I was betraying my husband. Even though he was no longer here, it still felt wrong. I took one last puff, put my cigarette out, and went inside the house. Romeo was sitting on the counter by the door, waiting for me. As I picked him up and held him close, he started to purr. Shit. I hoped Ben liked cats.
    “I have a question. Do you like cats?”
    “Lol. Yes, I do like cats. Why?”
    “Just making sure because when you come over, you’ll be greeted at the door by Romeo.”
    “Ah. I can’t wait to meet him.”
    “See you soon, Ben.”
    “See you, Paisley.”
    After I showered and washed the salt water out of my hair, I pulled on a pair of black leggings and a gray sweater. I had just finished putting a few curls in my hair when I heard the doorbell ring. Romeo meowed and jumped off the bathroom counter to go see who it was.
    “Hi.” I smiled as Ben stood on my porch in a pair of dark blue jeans and a black cotton button-down shirt.
    “Hi.”
    “Come on in.”
    When he stepped inside, Romeo was sitting off to the side, staring at him. Ben bent down in front of him and stuck his hand out so Romeo could sniff him.
    “You must be Romeo? I’m Ben. It’s nice to meet you.”
    “Meow.”
    Ben laughed as he petted his head and then stood up and looked at me.
    “He talks back. Sometimes we can carry on the oddest conversations,” I said.
    “He’s a pretty cat. Leah has a Siamese cat named Hulu.”
    “What a great name. Let me just grab