The Lost Days (Prairie Town Book 3) Read Free Page A

concerned, the old me can stay gone.  I just want this to be over so I can start over.  I hate being here, Doc.  I feel like you think I’m crazy, but I’m not.  I don’t feel crazy; I just feel...lost.”
    “I know, Devin.” The doctor nodded.  “And that’s precisely why I’m going to run these tests today.  You don’t need to be in here anymore.  Your new life needs to start as soon as possible.  I think it will benefit you.”
    “Yeah?” Stretching his legs out and crossing his arms over his chest, Devin eyed him.  “But what happens if you let me out of here and then I remember everything?  What happens if the old Devin comes back?”
    “To be completely honest with you, Devin; I don’t think he’s ever coming back.  You’re a very unique case for me.  Most patients who suffer from amnesia start regaining their memories within a few weeks, at least.  I’d say in your case, my boy, you are quite lucky not to have gotten them back.  This is a chance you need to take.  I just need to know that you’re willing to make an effort to turn over a new leaf.”
    “Turn over a new leaf?” He laughed.  “Doc, I need a new tree altogether.”
    “Then that’s what we’ll do.  This is a seed I’m giving you, Mr. Rose.  You have to plant it, water it, and allow it to grow into something meaningful.  Do you understand?”
    “I think so.”
    “Good.” Standing from his chair, Doctor Thompson extended a hand towards him.  “You’ll be called down for your first test in a few hours.  Be ready, Devin.  Your new life is about to begin.”
    “Thanks, Doc,” he said quietly, and then he shook his hand.
    He should have been excited about the possibility of finally getting out of the institute and moving on with his life.  But what kind of life was he returning to? 

Chapter 2
    K elly
    “I can’t believe how I reacted, Kelly.  I’m an awful wife.  I wouldn’t blame Callum for divorcing me now.”
    Watching as her friend buried her face into a tissue and blew her nose, Kelly sighed and sank down in the booth seat.  For the past 15 minutes of her lunch break, she’d been listening to Lydia’s fears of losing her husband, and it was silly.
    “It was just a small fight and a huge misunderstanding, Lydia.  Callum adores you so much.  He isn’t going to leave you over this.” She reached across the table and rubbed her arm as soothingly as possible, just as she often did for Justin when he got upset.  “Please stop crying.  I hate to see you cry.”
    “I can’t h-help it.” Lydia hiccupped, peering over the tissues to gaze at her.  “All I’ve been thinking about for months now is how badly I wish I could give him a child.  And now he has one.  Why did I get so angry about it?”
    She chose her next question very carefully.  Lydia didn’t know that she knew .  Playing clueless was the smartest thing to do, wasn’t it?
    “So you’re trying to have a baby and it hasn’t happened yet.  There’s nothing wrong with that, Lydia.  My mother and father tried many times before they were successful.  I was their miracle baby, they said.  My mom had four miscarriages before I came along.”
    “Oh, Kelly.  I’m so sorry to hear that.  That’s terrible.”
    And then she began to cry again.
    “Lydia, please.  I’m sorry—I shouldn’t have said that.  Now I’ve made it worse.” She sighed and dropped her head.  What could she say to make her friend feel better?
    And then it struck her.
    “Look on the bright side, huh?  Maybe meeting Callum’s son and getting to know him will prepare you for when the day comes that you have your own baby, huh?” She smiled as brightly as she could, hoping to help ease her friend’s grief.  “Think of it as an opportunity to learn.  Besides, watching Callum with his son may give you an idea of what kind of father he will be to the child you have together.”
    “Oh, I wish .” Lydia sighed.  Peering out the window, she