Cutting Through

by Joan Hohl

  Joan Hohl

  In 2004, Joan Hohl celebrated twenty-five years of being a published writer. She has written over fifty books—she claims she doesn’t know the exact number as she gave up counting somewhere between thirty-five and forty! She has been on the New York Times, USA TODAY and Waldenbooks lists, and has won several awards, including the Romance Writers of America RITA® Award, two Romantic Times Reviewer’s Choice awards and is on Romantic Times’ 100 Best Romances List. She has published works in several genres, including romance, single-title women’s fiction, historical and time travel.

  Joan lives in Pennsylvania with Marv, her husband of fifty-two years. They have two daughters, Lori and Amy, two grandchildren, Erica and Cammeron, and one great-grandchild.

  JOAN HOHL

  CUTTING THROUGH

  TORONTO • NEW YORK • LONDON

  AMSTERDAM • PARIS • SYDNEY • HAMBURG

  STOCKHOLM • ATHENS • TOKYO • MILAN • MADRID

  PRAGUE • WARSAW • BUDAPEST • AUCKLAND

  CUTTING THROUGH

  copyright © Joan Hohl

  ISBN 1-55254-354-5

  All rights reserved. Except for use in any review, the reproduction or utilization of this work in whole or in part in any form by any electronic, mechanical or other means, now known or hereafter invented, including xerography, photocopying and recording, or in any information storage or retrieval system, is forbidden without the written permission of the publisher, Harlequin Enterprises Limited, 225 Duncan Mill Road, Don Mills, Ontario, Canada M3B 3K9.

  All characters in this book have no existence outside the imagination of the author and have no relation whatsoever to anyone bearing the same name or names. They are not even distantly inspired by any individual known or unknown to the author, and all incidents are pure invention.

  This edition published by arrangement with Harlequin Books S.A.

  ® and TM are trademarks of the publisher. Trademarks indicated with ® are registered in the United States Patent and Trademark Office, the Canadian Trade Marks Office and in other countries.

  TheNextNovel.com

  From the Author

  Dear Reader,

  Hi, friends. The book you now hold was a labor of love…and one that was a long time in coming. In addition to everything that goes on in everyone’s life and the usual demands upon my time by family members, I learned I was going to become a great-grandmother! You can imagine the delight I felt while I was working away on this story.

  If you’ve read any or all of the first titles that came out last month, then you know Harlequin NEXT novels are different from all the other Harlequin lines. These stories are more women’s fiction, a slice of a woman’s life. I was both excited and honored when my wonderful editor, Melissa Jeglinski, and our fearless leader, Tara Gavin, asked me to join the other very talented women they have selected to write for Harlequin NEXT.

  The story you are about to read focuses on three women, friends since their preschool days, who meet coincidentally—or serendipitously—at a Philadelphia hotel. During their reunion, and later meetings, the friends take strolls down memory lane. Laughing and crying together, they unknowingly impact their current lives and relationships, families, husbands and lovers.

  So, if you haven’t as yet read one of these new books, curl up in your favorite chair, get comfortable and get acquainted with NEXT. All of us involved in this exciting new project truly hope you will spend a few hours with a satisfying read.

  Sincerely yours,

  Joan Hohl

  To Tara Gavin and Melissa Jeglinski.

  With thanks.

  Contents

  ABOUT THE AUTHOR

  CHAPTER 1

  CHAPTER 2

  CHAPTER 3

  CHAPTER 4

  CHAPTER 5

  CHAPTER 6

  CHAPTER 7

  CHAPTER 8

  CHAPTER 9

  CHAPTER 10

  CHAPTER 11

  CHAPTER 12

  CHAPTER 13

  CHAPTER 14

  CHAPTER 15

  CHAPTER 16

  CHAPTER 17

  CHAPTER 18

  COMING NEXT MONTH

  CHAPTER 1

  It was a beautiful spring day for the drive from Hershey to Philadelphia. At nine in the morning, with the early rush over, the traffic on the Pennsylvania Turnpike was fairly light, making driving a pleasure rather than a grind.

  Drawing in a deep breath of the mild, fresh-scented spring air wafting in the open driver’s side window, Julia Langston softly hummed along with the music of her teen years playing on the radio’s oldies station.

  Her teen years. God, it seemed like forever ago. Julia’s humming gave way to a half laugh, half sigh. Hell, it was forever ago. At least, she reflected, after twenty-two years and two kids it felt like forever.

  At times, Julia amended, heaving a deeper sigh…minus the laugh. There had been good years, wonderful years, and there had been not-so-good years. But the past couple of years had been the worst, fraught with fear, anxiety and uncertainty, pain and distrust.

  And it was all her husband’s fault…well, at least, most of it was his fault.

  The thought brought Julia up short, shaking her out of the path of depression her mind was headed for. She had been there, done that—a lot—over the previous months. She had also done the antidepressant routine.

  Enough was enough.

  Wasn’t that the very reason she was making this drive? Why she had smiled through the giggles and teasing remarks from her teenage daughters, both of whom thought the idea of their parents having a romantic rendezvous—at their age—was not only funny but a bit strange?

  At their age?

  Julia winced at the memory of her sixteen-year-old daughter’s words.

  “What do people you and Dad’s age do during a getaway? Live on the edge by staying up late and watching TV?”

  Lucky for Emily she had made the remark in a teasing tone. Even so, she had set a bad example for her fourteen-year-old sister Emma. But Emma, being Emma, giggled and went right along with her sister.

  “Yeah, do you turn on a racy movie—” she nearly choked on her giggles “—like the latest Disney flick?”

  “That will be quite enough from you two,” Julia scolded them, her tone light to conceal a twinge of hurt feelings inflicted by their ribbing.

  Yes, Julia had decided, she had had enough; she had had more than enough, not only of her daughters’ teasing, but of her entire domestic situation. Which was why she was making this Tuesday morning run into Philly.

  Getaway?

  Hah.

  A showdown with her husband Jonathan better described her mission. And some shopping—a lot of shopping—over the next few days while she waited for him to fly into Philly from the West coast.

  Would their time together end with a new appreciation of one another? Or the never-mentioned, but always underlying possibility of a permanent separation…even divorce?

  A showdown? Or a resolution?

  Julia slid out of the car, tipped the attendant as she handed him her keys, and slowly followed the bellman carrying her luggage into the four-star hotel’s lobby. Head bent, she frowned as she extracted a couple more bills from her wallet to tip the bellman; she would have to get a twenty changed somewhere, she was running out of small tipping bills. She didn’t notice the woman coming toward her.

  “Julie?”

  The voice was instantly familiar, as was the nickname she hadn’t heard for some time. A forming smile erased her frown of concentration.

  “Laura!” she cried.

  “Julie!” Laughing, the woman flung her arms around Julia. “I don’t believe it. It is you.”

  Julia laughed with her. “Well, of course it
’s me. My God, Laura, I haven’t seen you in forever.” Stepping back, she swept a glance over her friend. “You look great,” she glibly lied, feeling a pang, for in truth her friend looked tired, and at least twenty or thirty pounds heavier than before.

  “Yeah…sure,” Laura scoffed, her expression both knowing and rueful. “Let’s face facts, dear friend. I look dreadful. Tired, fat and middle-aged…probably because I am all three.”

  “You’re no such things,” Julia protested. “Maybe you do look a bit tired, and you have gained a little…”

  “A bit? A little!” Laura interrupted, laughing. “How diplomatic you are. My dear, I feel—and look—completely wiped, and I’ve gained thirty-some pounds since I quit smoking almost a year ago, and I’m almost forty. If that’s not beat-looking, fat and middle-aged, what is?”

  “You quit smoking?” Julia gave her another hug. “Oh, Laura, I’m so glad.”

  “Well, I wish I could say the same.” She grimaced. “I’m nervous and hungry all the time, and I still have cravings for a cigarette now and then.”

  “All of those symptoms will go away in time, and you’ll take off the weight. Besides, your heart and lungs will be a lot healthier.”

  “According to my doctor, they already are,” Laura admitted. “And she also assured me the weight will come off.”

  “There you go.” Julia grinned. “Other than that, how are you? Are you back, living here in Philadelphia, or just visiting your folks?”

  “No.” Laura shook her head. “Yes.” She laughed. “I mean, I am visiting with my folks, but we’re not living here. If we had moved back to Philly, I’d have called you. You know that,” she said, her voice scolding.

  “Yes, I know that.” Julia managed to smile and sound contrite at the same time.

  “Well, we’re still in the wilds of Maine. But maybe, hopefully, not for much longer.” Anticipation brightened her eyes and her tone. “Drew had an appointment for a job interview here in town. And I’ve got my fingers and everything else crossed that will cross.” She grinned. “I came along to have a break, let the kids drive Drew’s parents batty for a while.” Her grin widened. “The not-so-little darlings are staying with them. But what are you doing here in the city?” She glanced around. “Is Jon with you?”

  “Not yet,” Julia answered, carefully keeping her voice light. “He’s attending a conference in California, but he’ll be joining me in a few days, so we can have some private time together before going home to Hershey.” It was her turn to grin. “Betty and Tim—you remember, Jon’s sister and brother-in-law?—are looking after the girls. I drove down early to do some shopping here in town and at The Plaza and Court at King of Prussia.”

  “Hmmm…lucky lady,” Laura said. “I wish I could afford to shop in something other than discount…hey!” she exclaimed, stumbling as a man jostled her as he strode past.

  “Are you all right?” Julia asked, scowling at the rude man as she grasped Laura’s arm to steady her.

  “Yeah, sure. I guess we shouldn’t be standing here, blocking the entrance doors.” She shrugged and glanced around. “And I see your bellman waiting for you in the lobby. Look, I’m going to be in town for a few days, too. Let’s get together for lunch or something.”

  “I’d love to,” Julia said. “Are you staying here, at this hotel?”

  “Are you kidding? We can’t afford this place. No, we’re staying with my parents. The house seems so empty now that all of us kids are out on our own. Mom and Dad are glad for the company. I was just here to visit…” Laura came to a halt, her eyes widening.

  “What’s the matter?” Julia asked in alarm, glancing around to see what had startled her friend.

  “For heaven’s sake.” Laura smacked her forehead with the heel of her hand. “Julie…I came into Center City to see Krissy. She’s in town, too, to film a movie. She got in late yesterday afternoon and phoned my mother last night to ask about me, and I answered the phone. She’s staying right here, in this hotel. I swear I’m—”

  “Krissy, here, really?” Julia interrupted, incredulous.

  “Yes, really. Talk about coincidence!” Laura sighed. “Honestly, Julie, I think having four kids must have killed off most of my brain cells or something. Krissy and I made a date to have lunch together tomorrow at that new restaurant—” she flicked a hand “—right across the street. Why don’t you join us then?” She smiled sweetly at another man who muttered something nasty as he brushed by them.

  “I’d love to,” Julia said, smiling at Laura, and trying to ignore other similar mutters from the foot traffic forced to circle around them. “What time?”

  “One.” She flashed a teasing grin. “And don’t you dare contact Krissy in the meantime,” she warned, her grin widening. “Let’s surprise her.”

  “Okay,” Julia agreed. Reacting to another low, this time profane mutter, she shot a quick look over her shoulder, wincing at the expression on the bellman’s face. “But for now I’d better run. The bellman is getting impatient. See you tomorrow at one.”

  “Right,” Laura replied, giving Julia another quick hug. “And be prepared for a long, chatty, catch-up lunch,” she called over her shoulder, just as Julia dashed into the hotel waving a hand in understanding.

  Less than an hour later, still distracted and pleasantly surprised by her unexpected meeting with Laura, Julia stood at the long wide window, sightlessly staring at the panoramic view of the city. She was all checked into the hotel and settled into the spacious room. Her bags were unpacked, clothing either hung in the closet or folded and stashed away in one of the dresser drawers; she hadn’t brought a lot of clothes, as she planned to go on a dedicated shopping tear.

  But first, suddenly, Julia had a yen to talk to her mother. And why not? She hadn’t talked to her in two days. Of course, the call would cost a lot more from a hotel than on the plan she used at home…and like a true ditz, she had forgotten to charge her wireless before leaving home, and she had free long distance on the cell phone. Fortunately, she had brought the charger with her. Julia pursed her lips, she could wait until her cell was charged and ready, but…

  Oh, what the hell, she thought, Jonathan can afford it. Turning away from the window, she settled into the chair next to the table holding the phone. Lifting the receiver, she placed a long distance call to Florida.

  In the small condo in a retirement village outside Fort Lauderdale, Grace Fritz picked up the receiver on the second ring. “Hello.” Her soft voice sounded younger than her sixty-three years. Then again Julia, and everyone else, had always thought Grace not only sounded but appeared younger than her actual age.

  “Hi, Mom, it’s me.”

  “Hi, me.” Grace laughed. “I haven’t talked to you in an age. How the devil are you?”

  “Fair to middlin’,” Julia said, using one of her father’s favorite expressions. “How are you?”

  “Same as I was two days ago,” Grace drawled. “Bright-eyed and bushy-tailed. How are the girls?”

  “Same as they were two days ago,” Julia drawled back. “A pain in the…”

  “Julia Ann,” her mother inserted in warning.

  Julia laughed. “I’m only kidding…well, I mean, they can be pains at times, but right now, that’s Betty and Tim’s problem, since the Em and Ems are staying with them, and I’m in Philadelphia.”

  “Oh, that’s right, you told me you were driving into Philly today. I had forgotten…one of my senior moments, I guess. How was the drive down?”

  “Okay, but Mom, you’d never guess who I ran into as I was about to enter the hotel.”

  “Okay, then I give up…Who was it?”

  “Laura. Isn’t that a hoot?” Julia laughed.

  “It certainly is,” Grace agreed, laughing with her. “How is Laura?”

  “She seems fine but—” she sighed. “She looks beat, kinda dowdy and she’s gained weight…because she quit smoking.”

  “Well, that’s good. Laura quitting smoking, I mean,” Grace cl
arified. “And every woman with four kids looks beat. Is she staying at the same hotel?”

  “No, with her parents. Drew had a job interview here in town and Laura came along, to have a break from the kids, she said. You won’t believe it, but Krissy’s in town, too.” Julia went on to explain about Krissy staying in the same hotel while filming a movie in town.

  “How is Krissy doing?” Grace asked.

  “I haven’t a clue. I haven’t seen her yet. Laura made me promise not to contact Krissy here in the hotel, so we can surprise her tomorrow when we all have lunch.”

  “Sounds like fun,” Grace said. “It’ll be like old times for you three again.”

  “Yes.” A soft smile touched her lips.

  They talked for a few more minutes, the usual family stuff, Julia bringing her mother up to date on her granddaughters, Grace filling her in on the health and welfare of her father and brother J.R.

  The phone rang mere moments after Julia hung up.

  “Hi, it’s Laura.”

  “As if I didn’t know,” Julia said, laughing, thinking, yes, like old times again. “What’s up?”

  “I just talked to my mom…”

  “So did I,” Julia cut in, laughing again.

  “You talked to my mom?” Laura asked in feigned astonishment.

  Oh, yes, just like old times. “No, silly, I talked to my Mom…in Florida.”

  “I know….” Laura’s voice sounded exactly as it had at eighteen. “How is your mother?”

  “She’s fine, loves it in Florida,” Julia said, smiling. “So does Dad. You know, the fisherman?”