Loving Care Read Free Page B

Nothing’s wrong.” She managed a grin and took a sip of her ice water, hoping she wouldn’t get sick right there in the restaurant.
    “I asked you what you thought of the blueprints?” Milton’s forehead creased as he studied her.
    “Oh…the blueprints. Yes. Good. They looked pretty good. I made a couple of suggestions.”
    Milton glanced over his shoulder as if searching for what had caused her distraction. When he turned back, he was unsmiling. “Do you know that man?”
    Christie nodded. “It’s Patrick.”
    He glanced again. “You mean your Patrick.”
    “Yes. No. Not my Patrick. Not now, but he used to be.” She kept her eyes directed at Milton, struggling with what to do with Patrick so near. Speak to him. Ignore him.
    “Would you like to leave?” Milton asked, his curiosity switching to a look of irritation.
    “No. Not at all.” In truth, Christie longed to run. She and Milton had been dating for many months, a year maybe, and today she wanted to hide their relationship. She resented the feeling and felt frustrated for reacting that way.
    She tried to pretend she didn’t know Patrick was there, but her conversation lagged worse than before while her mind filled with questions. Where was his wife? Why had he come to this restaurant? And why tonight? It had been one of her favorites. He shouldn’t have come here.
    The thought plagued her. Why had she come here? He had every right to eat here. Patrick had loved the place as much as she had. It had been their special restaurant—the one they’d come to during one of their college breaks when he’d first told her he loved her.
    “I should speak to him, I suppose,” Christie said.
    Milton tilted his head. “I’m guessing you mean Patrick.”
    Mortified that she’d blurted out her thoughtsaloud, she nodded. “Sorry. Seeing him here surprised me.”
    “You didn’t know he was in town?” Milton asked.
    “I did, actually. We ran into each other at the pharmacy on Saturday.” She swallowed, knowing she had to be candid. “He’s come back to town…to stay.”
    A shadow fell across Milton’s face, and his look darkened. “You mean to live?”
    She gave a faint nod. “His dad’s ill. Hanuman’s Hardware belongs to his father, and he needs Patrick’s help.” Christie realized for the first time that she hadn’t even asked Patrick what was wrong with his dad.
    Milton pushed his plate aside and twisted in the chair to flag the waitress.
    Knowing that she’d dampened his mood and ruined his meal, Christie wished she could backtrack and choose another place for their dinner. Why had she picked Anton’s Bistro tonight of all nights?
    The waitress came, and Milton paid the check. He gave Christie a nod and stood to assist her rising. She slung her bag over her shoulder, and when she turned, her gaze riveted to Patrick’s.
    “Hello,” she said, feeling more awkward than she had since being a teenager. “Patrick, this is my friend, Milton Garrison.”
    Patrick slid back his chair and rose, the cloth napkin dangling from his fingers. He grasped Milton’soutstretched hand with a steady shake. “Nice to meet you.” He shifted his gaze to Christie. “Did you enjoy your dinner?”
    “Yes, I did.” Before you came in, she added as she felt her food churn in her stomach.
    “We always liked Anton’s,” Patrick said, his narrowed gaze not shifting from hers.
    With his last pointed comment, she unleashed her question. “Where’s your wife, Patrick? I heard you were married.”
    His face drained of color, and she realized too late she’d stepped on sensitive ground.
    “Sherry died a couple of years ago.”
    “Died? Oh, Patrick, I’m so sorry. I hadn’t heard. I—I didn’t know.”
    “It was sudden.”
    Words failed her, and Christie felt the pressure of Milton’s fingers against her arm, urging her toward the door. “We need to get going, Patrick.” Her voice trailed away, longing to tell him how sorry she was, not only at his