Read Saving You, Saving Me for Free Online

house you have here,” he said. “Very family-friendly.” He noticed Nydia’s dollhouse in one corner, and the family photos lined up on top of the fireplace mantel.
     “Um, I was about to ask you if you’d like something to drink.”
                “What do you have?” he asked.
                I went to the fridge and opened it.  I felt him walk up behind me, peering over my head and shoulders. My back stiffened as he stood barely an inch away. His presence was so strong, I felt there wasn’t any distance between us. “Lots to choose from,” I said. Luckily our refrigerator was well-stocked with tomato juice, lime juice, orange juice, cranberry juice, pineapple juice, sodas, and just about anything Mom can make cocktails out of.
                He reached over my head to get a can of pineapple juice. “Your refrigerator looks like the mini-bar in a hotel room,” Collins said matter-of-factly.
                I blushed and turned around, about to tell him about Mom, but found my nose against his broad chest. He wasn’t wearing a tie, and his shirt was unbuttoned down to the third hole, giving me a view of well-defined tanned skin and muscles. For a moment everything stopped, and I couldn’t breathe. With my nose to his chest, I could tell his breathing slowed, too. I wanted to turn my head so I could rest my cheeks against his chest, to feel him breathe. His shirt was so soft, silky even, and he smelled so nice.
                I hadn’t realized I had my cheeks against his chest, until I felt his hand on the small of my back. His other arm snaked gently around my waist, pulling me into a hug. It felt so good to be in Collins McGregor’s strong arms, held tightly like this. I did not know how long we were standing like this until I heard the phone ring.
                “Hello,” Collins McGregor said. “You’ve found her? Good, where is she? Okay, I’ll head over there.”
                I looked up expectedly and asked, “Did they find Mom and Nydia?”
                “Yes,” Collins McGregor said, taking my hand and leading me out of the kitchen.  “We’ll take my car and head out to get her.”
                And just like that, we were on Pacific Coast Highway heading in the direction of Dad’s church.  We got there, and there in the parking lot was Mom’s car with her in it.
                “Mom!” I cried, tapping on the film-covered driver’s side window. I peered closer for a closer look. Mom was asleep. From outside, I could see Nydia sitting in the back in her booster seat. I tapped again, and Nydia began jumping up and down in her restrained seat. I could see Mom’s head jerk up and then she turned it around to look at me sleepily. At the sight of me and Collins McGregor together, her eyes opened, and she opened the door, nearly tumbling out.
                “Oh Sam,” she cried. “What are you doing here?”
    Her green eyes darted between me and Collins McGregor.
                “Mom,” I leaned into her ears and whispered.  “You’ve been drinking. You shouldn’t have been driving.”
                 “I just wanted to come here, visit your father’s church. It isn’t too far from home,” Mom said almost slurring her words, looking very sad and miserable.
                “But you had too much to drink. You shouldn’t have driven and picked up Nydia this way.” I instantly felt guilty, knowing Nydia had asked if I could have picked her up instead of Mom. But Mom should have known better. “Mom,” I said gently. “If you ever drink far too much to drive, call me and I’ll pick up Nydia. I’ll drop what I’m doing and come get her. I don’t want you driving like this.” I patted Mom’s arm. “You’re endangering Nydia, too.”  I took a deep breath biting back the harsh words I would have let loose on Mom, had Collins McGregor