Read The Right Call for Free Online Page B

final.”
    Vanessa put her head on his shoulder and nestled closer. “We’ve hardly had a moment together. I just want to enjoy a few more minutes. After all the weeks of waiting, it doesn’t seem real that you’re actually here—and for the entire summer.”
    “I know. It’s all I could think about all the way home. I’ve missed you so much.” He pressed his lips to her cheek. “I’m sorry our first evening together ended with a tragedy. I’m glad I can be here for Drew, but it’s too bad his mom and dad are out of the country.”
    “You were so good with him.” Vanessa looked up, her clear blue eyes heavy with fatigue. “I don’t know how you do it, but you never seem weighed down by other people’s problems. That’s why you’re going to make a wonderful psychologist.”
    “Give yourself some credit. You were great in there.”
    “Thanks, but I feel like I’ve been run over by a Mack truck and the bus behind it. You’re the one who’s cool and collected.”
    “I’ve always been able to look at situations objectively. Maybe that’s why people talk to me.”
    “I did.” Vanessa held his gaze. “I so appreciated that you didn’t judge me for getting involved with Professor Nicholson.”
    “Judging you was a sure way to put up a wall. What you needed was a friend—and grace to figure it out for yourself.”
    “It took a while. But I realize now that my relationship with Ty was doomed to fail. I should never have gotten involved with an unbeliever and compromised my values. I regret getting involved with Ty, but I wouldn’t trade Carter for the world. And he deserves to grow up without his parents disagreeing over what values to teach him. I think it’s best all the way around that Ty’s not involved in Carter’s life.”
    “I’ve never heard you say that before.”
    Vanessa gently stroked his bicep. “I’ve worked through it. I’m completely over him.”
    “ Completely is a strong word.”
    “Yes, it is.”
    Ethan’s pulse quickened. Did she mean that? Did she know herself well enough to be sure?
    Vanessa’s perfume wafted under his nose. He pulled her closer, aware of every inch of her. Was it too soon to declare the full extent of his feelings? This relationship wasn’t about just the two of them. Timing was everything. The last thing he wanted was to scare her off.
    He pressed his lips to her cheek, then again, and again, moving his mouth ever so slowly to her ear.
    “I’ve missed you,” he whispered.
    “Same here. I—”
    In the next instant, their lips met and he drew her in, relishing her essence, restraint giving way to eager, prolonged kisses until their beings seemed to meld and he thought his heart would pound out of his chest. How long had he waited for this? Allowed the thought of it to sustain him through the months of separation—the seconds, minutes, and hours of loneliness? At last Vanessa was in his arms, free of her attachment to Ty Nicholson, ready to see if they might have a future together.
    Stop! The voice in his head seemed audible—urgent. He forced himself to back away, his pulse still racing wildly.
    Vanessa’s eyes flew open. What was she thinking?
    Ethan hid in the silence until his passion subsided. Finally he said, “Maybe we should ease into this. I just missed you so much. I can’t tell you how many times I almost jumped in the car and drove across the state to see you.”
    “Really?” She smiled with her eyes. “I was tempted to do the same thing, but the idea of packing the car with all that baby gear forced me to be realistic. I knew I had to stay focused on my studies.”
    “I’m proud of you. It can’t be easy juggling motherhood and school. In some ways, taking college courses online requires more self-discipline.”
    “I couldn’t do it without Emily—well, without Dad and Mom either.”
    “Your hard work paid off. You’ve almost got another year of college under your belt.”
    “I do, don’t I?”
    Ethan picked up her