A Younger Man (Mount Faith Series: Book 7) by Brenda Barrett Read Free Book Online

mean me going to prison."
    "The police are overreacting," Carol said, taking a glass from the cupboard. "Did you know that red wine vinegar and grape juice taste just like grape soda?"
    She poured some red wine vinegar and grape juice into a glass, swished it around, and slowly drank some.
    "So how've you been?" Carol asked, walking with that gliding gait of hers and leaving everything she had just used on the counter.
    "I have been fine," Anita said. "Well, I was fine until you showed up, like a blast from the past."
    Carol bounced in her chair, "I mean, how've you really been. We have not spoken in forever. Tell me stuff. Like do you have a boyfriend?"
    "Grown women don't have boyfriends."
    "Ooh." Carol grinned. "Seems like I hit a nerve. In your diary, the one on your side table you have a guys name in there. Vanley. Is he your man friend?"
    "Shut up!" Anita got up. "What, are you three years old? Why were you in my room, and my diary?"
    "You are always so sparing with information," Carol said bouncing up and down in the settee. "I thought your diary would be enlightening. All I see are meetings, schedules, and one entry about hating Joe Masters. Man, I don't think I am going to be staying here for long. This place is boring. Not even your diary is exciting, except for that name, Vanley, that was circled with a heart. Now that's cryptic. It had me guessing. Is Vanley a shoe brand? Tell me Anita; break up the drudgery."
    "Good, you are bored." Anita grunted. "That means you will leave soon. Please God, please let it be so." Then she got up and kicked a nail clip case. The edge of it nicked her toe. "Please keep your pig sty ways out of the common areas." She went into her room and slammed the door.
    "Vanley, Vanley, Vanley." Carol laughed softly, definitely not a shoe brand. No shoes could bring out the passionate side of Anita like that.

    Chapter Four
     
    "What's wrong?" Vanley stood at Anita's door. He had been staring at her for the past minute. She was hitting her forehead intermittently with her open palm and grunting in frustration.
    He figured it was a super busy day because Davia had dashed past him on the steps when he was on his way to see Anita. She had "urgent business to do for the boss lady," she had told him in a rush. With that, he realized that the coast was clear. Anita would be alone in the office. It made him feel better because he was determined to have lunch with her today. They had never really done that: have lunch, sit, and talk.
    Anita looked up at him and groaned. "Nothings wrong, really. I have a bunch of things to do."
    "I have food," Vanley said holding up a picnic basket. "I had extra, and I just happened to be in the neighborhood, so here I am."
    "I have no time for lunch," Anita rubbed her forehead. "I have a long list of things to do plus the department budgets to go over."
    "You have to eat." Vanley sat before her and put the basket on her desk. "I have taken up cooking as a hobby."
    Anita laughed. "It doesn't show on you."
    "Well, I cook for one. I have nobody to try out my latest recipes on," Vanley said. "I baked bread yesterday. I felt so accomplished when I did it."
    Anita shook her head. She had her hair combed back in a bun. She looked younger and prettier when it was off her face. Vanley admired her. "You have a mole above your left eyelid. Why didn't I realize that before?"
    Anita fidgeted with her pen, flushing at his compliment and the intense way he was looking at her. "Vanley..."
    "No, seriously," Vanley said, "I notice everything about you. That mole just snuck up on me."
    Anita changed the topic quickly and pointed at the basket; a pleasant aroma was coming from it. "Whatever you have in that basket smells good."
    Vanley grinned wickedly. "I roasted beef, and I made a melt in your mouth beef sandwich that's fit for a queen."
    He took out a container with the sandwich and handed it to her.
    Anita took it. She didn't have the heart to tell him that she did not eat red meat.