A Turn in the Road Read Free Page B

would one day realize his mistake.
    Bethanne rushed impulsively across the street. She really didn’t have time and the ever-punctual Julia would be waiting. As it was, Bethanne had spent far longer with Lydia than she’d intended. In addition, she had a tight afternoon schedule that included a meeting with her managers. But Bethanne was determined to make time for the woman who’d once been such an enormous encouragement to her.
    â€œRuth?”
    Her mother-in-law looked up from her soup and sandwich plate and instantly broke into a smile. “Bethanne, my goodness, I never expected to see you here.”
    The two women hugged. “I was picking up some yarn I ordered. What are you doing in this neighborhood?” Bethanne pulled out the chair opposite Ruth’s and sat down.
    Her mother-in-law placed both hands in her lap. “Robin suggested we meet here for lunch. It’s not that far from the courthouse, but you know Robin…”
    â€œHas she left already?” Bethanne looked around, then down at Ruth’s barely touched plate.
    â€œShe didn’t show up,” Ruth said, coloring slightly. “I’m sure she got stuck in court….” Robin was with the Prosecuting Attorney’s office in Seattle, and frequently dealt with violent crime.
    Bethanne frowned. “Did you call her?”
    Ruth shook her head. “I refuse to carry a cell phone. They’rean intrusion on people’s privacy and—well, never mind. Although I will admit that at times like this a cell would come in handy.”
    â€œWould you like me to phone?”
    â€œOh, would you, dear?” Ruth squeezed her hand gratefully. “I’d appreciate it.”
    Digging in her purse, Bethanne found her cell. She had Robin’s number in her contacts and, holding the phone to her ear, waited for the call to connect. Robin’s phone went directly to voice mail, which meant she was probably still in court.
    â€œI think you must be right,” Bethanne told Ruth.
    The older woman exhaled. “I was afraid of that. I don’t know when we’ll have a chance to meet again before I leave.” Ruth straightened and picked up her sandwich. “But it doesn’t really matter, because my daughter is not going to change my mind.”
    â€œChange your mind about what?”
    Ruth lifted her chin. “Robin wants to talk me out of attending my fifty-year class reunion.” She took a determined bite of her turkey-and-bacon sandwich.
    Why would her sister-in-law do such a thing? “I hope you go,” Bethanne said.
    â€œI am, and nothing she says will convince me otherwise.” Bethanne had never seen Ruth so fired up.
    â€œGood for you.” She watched in amusement as her ex-mother-in-law chewed with righteous resolve.
    Swallowing, Ruth relaxed and sent Bethanne a grateful smile. “And I intend to drive to Florida by myself. That’s all there is to it.”

Two
    â€œF lorida?” Bethanne repeated slowly. Her mother-in-law wanted to drive across the entire country? Alone?
    â€œOh, Bethanne, not you, too.” Ruth groaned. “I’m perfectly capable of making the trip.”
    â€œCan’t you fly?” As far as she knew, Ruth didn’t have any fear of air travel.
    â€œOf course I could, but what fun is that?” Ruth tossed her napkin on the table. “For years Richard promised me a cross-country trip. I’d spend days planning the route, and I’d write all my friends to tell them we were coming. Then invariably something would come up at Richard’s work.” Her lips tightened at the memory. “He canceled the trip three times until I finally gave up.”
    Richard was a workaholic who hardly ever took vacations. He spent most weekends in the office of his engineering firm, missing countless baseball games and piano recitals. In fact, he died in that very same office. How long had he been gone now? Seven