A Turn in the Road by Debbie Macomber Page A

Hamlin?”
    â€œUh…”
    â€œI can’t bear to stay here alone.”
    Bethanne resisted the urge to remind her that Grant and her brother would be in town. And she had lots of friends. Annie was far from being alone. On the other hand, having her accompany them wasn’t a bad idea. “I’m sure your grandmother will be fine with it, and I’d love to have you.”
    â€œThanks, Mom,” she said, still sniffling.
    â€œDo you want to come home and sleep in your old room?” Bethanne asked, thinking that what Annie really needed was to feel loved and protected.
    â€œNo…I’ll be okay now.”
    â€œIf I could, I’d give you a big hug.”
    â€œI know. You’re the best mom in the world.”
    Bethanne smiled sleepily.
    â€œThanks, Mom… Would you call Grandma in the morning and ask her?”
    â€œOf course.”
    â€œAnd I’m telling Dad, too.”
    â€œIf that’s what you want, go ahead.” Bethanne had no objection to Grant’s knowing her plans but she felt no obligation to tell him herself.
    They spoke for a few more minutes and then Bethanne replaced the phone. Resting her head on the pillow, she closed her eyes, trying to go back to sleep.
    This would be a fascinating trip across the country now that both her ex-mother-in-law and her daughter were coming…. Well, interesting at any rate. Bethanne drifted off as she began to make mental lists of the clothes she needed to pack and the people she needed to call.
    Â 
    Saturday morning she woke later than usual. Although it was a holiday weekend, she had a hundred things to take care of at work if they were going to head out early Wednesday morning.
    After showering and dressing, she set off for the office. She’d wait until after ten to call Ruth regarding Annie.
    While she was driving in Seattle traffic, her cell phone rang. The readout on her dashboard showed Ruth’s name and number.
    Bethanne pushed a button on her steering wheel to answer the phone, and Ruth’s voice came through.
    â€œBethanne, where are you?”
    â€œI’m in my car. What can I do for you, Ruth?”
    â€œWould it be too much trouble to stop by the house this morning sometime…soon? I really hate to bother you.”
    â€œIt’s no bother. I’ll leave now.”
    â€œHow long will that take you?”
    â€œOh, about ten minutes, fifteen at the most. Is everything all right?”
    â€œYes, I…think so.” Her voice wavered slightly, indicating that everything wasn’t all right.
    â€œI’ll be there as soon as I can.”
    â€œThank you,” Ruth whispered gratefully.
    When Bethanne pulled up to the Hamlin family home, she saw two cars in the driveway. The first belonged to Grant, and the second she guessed was Robin’s. Brother and sister were double-teaming their mother. The poor woman needed backup.
    Bethanne rang the doorbell, then let herself into the house. “Hello, anyone home?” she called out.
    Ruth appeared immediately, and the relief that spread over her features the instant she saw Bethanne was almost comical. The older woman rushed across the room to grab Bethanne’s elbow. “Thank goodness you’re here,” she whispered.
    â€œBethanne,” Robin said in the tone she probably used to intimidate witnesses in the courtroom. “Tell me you aren’t serious about driving cross-country on some ludicrous scheme of my mother’s.”
    At one time Robin might have intimidated her, too, but no longer. With a cool smile, Bethanne faced her. “Personally, I don’t think attending a fifty-year class reunion is all that ludicrous.”
    Grant stood by the fireplace and seemed content to let his sister do the talking.
    Robin didn’t give up. “You two don’t have a clue what you could be getting yourselves into. It isn’t safe out there. You’re both much too trusting. I