Colleen Coble Read Online Free Page A

closed, and Amy checked the pulse in her throat. Rapid.
    Pearl stepped into the entry. “What’s wrong with her?”
    “I think it’s heat stroke or dehydration. Would you get a glass of water? I think she’s coming around.” Amy helped the girl into a half-seated position. “How do you feel?”
    The girl’s eyelids fluttered, then opened as she put her hand to her head. “Woozy. Did I pass out?”
    “Don’t get up yet,” Amy commanded when the girl made a move to rise. She supported the young woman’s shoulders with her arm, then took the glass of water Pearl handed her and put it to the girl’s lips. “Slowly now.”
    The young woman drank a few sips. “I don’t know what happened.”
    Amy saw no car parked outside. “Where did you come from?”
    The girl waved vaguely. “I walked to Tidewater Inn and was on my way back when I started feeling funny. I saw your house and headed here.”
    “Come in out of the sun.” Amy helped her to her feet and guided her inside. Pearl followed.
    “Cute cottage.” The girl’s gaze took in the boxes and suitcases against the living room wall. “Looks like you’re just moving in or out.”
    “I’m moving in.”
    “I’m looking for a room to rent.” The young woman looked hopeful. “Any idea where I might find a place? I tried Tidewater Inn, but I was told they were full and the owner wouldn’t be back for several days.”
    Pearl had started to sit down, but she immediately straightened. “Oh? I thought she was just upstairs.” Her green eyes were avid.
    Amy bit her lip and glanced toward the stairs. It wasn’t her news to share. There had been no sound from the second floor since she’d come down, but she was tempted to make an excuse and slip up to the bedroom to tell Libby and Alec that Pearl was here.
    Pearl frowned. “Amy? Where’s Libby?”
    “Upstairs. I’ll let her know you’d like to see her. I’ll be right back.” Amy took the stairs two at a time. The door to her bedroomwas open, and Libby sat up in the bed nursing the baby while Alec looked on. Amy paused and absorbed the heartwarming scene.
    Libby looked up and smiled. “I can’t get over how beautiful he is.”
    “Handsome,” Alec corrected with a grin.
    Amy hated to interrupt them. “Pearl is here. I didn’t want to be the one to tell her about Noah’s arrival if you wanted to.”
    Alec looked to Libby, who smiled again and nodded. “Send her up. She can meet our son.”
    “I thought you’d want to.” The smile still lingered on her lips when Amy stepped into the living room and faced Pearl. “Libby is upstairs and would like to speak with you.”
    “I wondered why she hadn’t come down.” Pearl heaved herself off the sofa and moved fast for her size.
    Amy turned back to her unexpected guest. “I should introduce myself. I’m Amy Lang.” At the mention of her name, a strange expression flitted across the girl’s face. Amy couldn’t decide if it was fear or elation. Or maybe she was feeling faint again. “Are you all right?”
    The teenager wetted her lips. “I’m fine. I—I’m Heather. Heather G-Granger. Could I have more of the water?”
    “Of course.” Amy retrieved the glass from the coffee table and handed it to her. “So you’re feeling weak again?”
    “A little.” Heather sipped the water slowly. “You live here by yourself, or does the old lady live here too?”
    Amy managed not to grin. Pearl wouldn’t appreciate being called an old lady. “I live here alone.”
    “I don’t suppose you’d consider renting out a room? I’ve been told there is no place to stay on the island because of the stupid festival. I’ve got to find somewhere to stay, or I’ll be sleeping in a field or on a park bench.”
    Amy watched the girl pick at a piece of lint on her jeans. Panic lay just under the surface. There was much the girl wasn’t saying. Where was her family? What had brought her here?
    Amy studied her expression. “You don’t live on Hope Island?