Broken Things (Faded Photograph Series) Read Free Page A

you.”
    “Not a chance.” Allie laughed. If she remembered correctly, Steve was four years younger than she.
    “Say—” A note of concern colored his voice. “Was it recent? Losing your husband, I mean?”
    “No. He died years ago.”
    “Oh, well, that’s good…I mean that his death wasn’t recent.” Steve cleared his throat. “Hey, it’ll be fun to see you again. You need a lift? I can send my oldest daughter to fetch you.”
    “Thanks, but I’ve rented a car and I think I still remember the way to Oakland Park. I just need directions to your place.”
    Steve explained the way to his house while Allie jotted the information down on a piece of paper.
    “I’m looking forward to seeing you and meeting the rest of your family,” she said. “I hope Jack and his wife will be able to join us.”
    “Um, well…” Steve cleared his throat. “Look, Allie, Jack works a lot. He probably won’t make it.”
    “All right.” Disappointment coursed through her. “It’ll be nice getting reacquainted with you and meeting your family. Thanks for the invite.”
    “Sure. What are friends for, eh? See you soon.”
    Allie hung up and stared at the phone for several long moments. Regardless of the wisdom―or lack thereof―behind her decision to accept Steve’s dinner offer tonight, she’d soon be reacquainted with the Callahans.
    Allie pushed off from the edge of the king-size bed and headed for the bathroom. She paused to consider her reflection in the mirror. The same blue eyes as always stared back at her, eyes that had seen a lot of pain and sorrow, but had also watched the miraculous hand of God at work. Perhaps she’d get a chance sometime to tell Jack about her faith, her life.
    Allie fingered her cheek and the white scar that spanned the area from the corner of her right eye to her chin. It reminded her of a strand of cooked spaghetti, and she despised it. However, she’d learned to live with it ever since her fifth wedding anniversary and she certainly couldn’t deny the blessing it wrought. Besides, after two plastic surgeries, it wasn’t half as unsightly as it once had been. Even so, Allie planned to apply a good dose of cosmetics. To do anything less would be like advertising one of the biggest mistakes of her life, and she intended to make a good impression tonight.
    After all, thirty years was a long, long time.

 
     
     
    Chapter Two
     
     
    Allie considered it a miracle that she had found her way through Oakland Park. It only vaguely resembled the city she’d left behind so many years ago. True enough, it was still ten miles from downtown Chicago, but Central Avenue, the main drag, didn’t look anything like she recalled. Thirty years ago individual buildings containing offices and miscellaneous stores bordered the cracked and buckled sidewalks, but they had since been transformed into part of an appealing shopping district―one that impressed even Allie.
    At last she located Steve’s house, pulled alongside the curb, and parked. Did her stepfamily still live in this community, too? Was her stepfather still alive? She’d heard bits and pieces from friends, but they, like Allie, had lost contact with the Brackenses too.
    “Allison Drake? Is that really you?”
    Steve’s deep voice beckoned her from her musings as soon as she climbed out of the car.
    “It’s really me.” She met him on the driveway. “And you haven’t changed a bit.” She chuckled, noting the same unruly dark waves framing chiseled features and Irish baby-blues. Yes, he looked older, but Allie thought she’d recognize Steve Callahan anywhere.
    “I’m about twenty-five pounds heavier.” He frowned, patting the blue T-shirt that covered his stomach.
    Allie grinned. “You were always such a stick that a little weight actually looks good on you!”
    Steve hooted. “You and I are going to get along just fine.” He looped a brotherly arm around her shoulders. “Come into the backyard and meet my clan.”
    Allie