Truly, Madly, Deeply (The Baxters #31) - Karen Kingsbury Page 0,52

anything to help her feel better. To let her know they cared.

The teens dropped the clothes off at one of the six tables, then they made their way to Donna Miller.

“Here.” A senior girl handed a pale yellow envelope to Donna. “This is for Annalee. Tell her I’m praying for her every day. And tell her we miss her.”

“Thank you.” Donna smiled. “This is the nicest thing. She’ll love it.”

The stream of students bearing encouragement for Annalee had only just begun. Next came three freshman boys. Each of them had a folded piece of paper for Donna. “We don’t know her that well. But we are believing she’ll get better superfast,” one of them said.

By then, students were lined up for the chance to talk to Donna. A look of astonishment shone on her face. She cast a quick glance at Reagan. “You… you knew about this?”

“It was their idea.” Reagan grinned.

And still the stream continued. One after another the students approached Donna and gave her something for Annalee. At the end of the hour, more than a hundred bags of clothes sat piled high on the tables. And someone had run to get Donna a box for the cards and letters. When the final bell rang, encouragements for Annalee spilled over the cardboard edges.

Each of the parent volunteers greeted Donna and wished Annalee the best. “We’re praying at our house,” one of the women said. “Every evening before bed.”

When the room was empty, Donna sat back down and pulled the box close. Almost like she was hugging it. She turned teary eyes to Reagan. “I don’t know what to say.”

“I told you… it was the students. A few of Annalee’s friends spread the word and everyone was on board.” She reached out and covered Donna’s hand with her own. “They love her. We all do.”

“And the clothes…” Donna shook her head. “So many bags.”

The drive had netted ten times what they had hoped to collect. Already Principal Larson had asked the parent volunteers if they’d come back to sort through the bags. Some clothing could then be set apart for the safe house. The rest could be sold and the proceeds given to supply other needs for the residents.

“Annalee won’t believe it.” Donna shook her head. She ran her hand over the letters and cards. “The coming week will be hard. She’s so tired and her immune system is low. She can’t go to school.”

“But she’ll have all week to read words from her classmates.”

“Exactly.” Donna lifted the box and walked with Reagan to the door. “She’ll have a scan in the next few weeks. To see if the treatment is working.” A shadow fell over Donna’s eyes. “So much depends on the results.”

“I’ll come by the house this next week to see her.” Reagan tried not to think about Annalee having another scan. “Things will be better. They will.”

“I pray for that every hour.”

Reagan helped Donna get the box into the backseat of her car. Then Reagan headed to the coffee shop.

Luke was waiting for her.

This was the first time they’d taken a moment away from home to talk since Tommy brought up the idea of being a police officer. Luke had already ordered Reagan her favorite vanilla latte. He smiled and Reagan felt herself relax. Maybe he was seeing things her way, after all. They spent the first few minutes talking about his current case, and then Reagan updated him on Annalee and the school clothing drive.

Finally, Luke exhaled and leveled kind eyes at her. “We can’t keep on like this. Passing in the kitchen, going to sleep at different times.” He gave a slight shrug. “You’re blaming me for something Tommy has decided. This… change of direction. It’s all him.”

Her frustration rose quickly, and Reagan didn’t think to keep her tone in check. “You told him about the ride-along program, Luke. You set it up for him.”

He folded his hands on the table and leaned closer. “Please… talk quieter.”

“I’m sorry.” She sighed. “Don’t you see, Luke? You met with Mike Lockwood and a few days later Tommy was in the passenger seat of a cop car.”

“Yes. I did.” Luke worked the muscles in his jaw. “But Tommy had already looked into the department’s ride-along program. He told me that.”

“Oh. He… didn’t tell me.” Reagan needed a minute. She took a sip of her coffee. “Thanks for the latte, by the way.”

“Of course.” Luke’s expression softened. “This isn’t a battle between me and you.” He hesitated. “Have