Never Without Hope (Sacred Vows Book 1) Read Free Page A

you are beautiful woman comment, or that scene was pretty hot .
    Now don ’t get concerned. I don’t write trash. I think he was referring to the first kiss in my book. I suppose it was pretty unique, and of course, well written. Honestly, I was thrilled that he liked my story for any reason. Yet he never mentioned the faith thread in my novel, and I had much more to say about that than kissing. Other than those comments, not much communication occurred. After all, we were just friends.
     
    *****
     
    All through the summer I had suffered with headaches. I finally went to see the doctor a week after Labor Day because it was interfering with my work. As I waited, I sat next to a guy who looked a lot like Tony. What are the odds? Especially in Rochester.
    The man teasingly poked me in the arm. “Hey, Hope. How are you? Is me, Tony. From the plane.”
    Startled, I frowned and clutched my head. “Not so great, you know?”
    “ Me either. I have trouble sleeping, so I come see specialist.”
    Bags were under his eyes and he had stubble on his chin. He didn ’t look nearly as good to me this time around. Then again, I didn’t look so hot either. I don’t think I even wore any makeup. Not that it mattered.
    The doctor called me in first. I groaned. I hated going to the doctor, but I had to get rid of these headaches. Apparently Tony saw someone else because he and I both ended up in the waiting area again at the same time. How strange is that?
    Now what to do?
    “ Are you going back to work?” I asked.
    “ I work 3 to 11 shift at rehab in town. I never work in morning.”
    “ Maybe working the late shift has something to do with your trouble sleeping.” I suggested.
    He shrugged. “Maybe. But my baby is also not sleeping so good now. He have colic. I bring him to sitters every day for some hours so I can rest.”
    “ You have a baby? Yeah, now I remember. Your wife was pregnant when we met, right? So how old is he now?” My head still hurt like someone squeezed it in a vise grip, but I tried to be pleasant anyway.
    “ He be five months, almost six.”
    Had that much time pas sed since March?
    “ My son came a month early.” He hesitated and licked his lips. “You have job today?” Tilting his head toward me, his face showed concern. I have no idea why, but I thought it was a nice gesture anyway.
    “ No, I haven’t been able to work for over a week. My headaches have gotten bad. When I’m not feeling like this, I work at home transcribing doctor’s notes as an independent contractor. In my spare time I write books, but you already knew that. What do you do at the clinic?”
    “ I work in drunk tank. Is interesting job.”
    “ Drunk tank? You mean the alcohol treatment center?” Man, my head hurt.
    “ Yeah, but we call drunk tank, and so do cops.” He grinned. “You have plans?”
    “ Right now? I’m waiting for the order from the doc. They want me to go pick up my CT scan from the hospital next door and bring it back here so they can see it. I have to come back today so the doctor can examine the results and confirm my diagnosis.”
    Just then, the medical assistant brought the paper out to me.
    “Want to walk over there with me?” I asked, not expecting him to say yes.
    “ Sure. I have nothing today. My baby is at sitters and I not on schedule for work tonight.” He smiled and opened the door for me. Sigh. What a gentleman.
    Then I had that funny feeling again, but I rationalized that we were just friends, and not even very good ones at that. He hadn ’t written back to me in months, so I’d quit sending him chapters. I darted a sideways glance at him. Maybe he’d tell me why he stopped e-mailing.
    Before I could ask, he answered my unspoken question.
    “I am so sorry I have not written in months. I have classes in Rochester, and between my work, my classes and my baby, I have no time to get on computer and check messages.”
    “ That’s okay. No big deal.” I smiled. At least he still