Bad Blood by Mary Monroe Read Free Book Online Page A

to meet my baby at the country club, and y’all know how Kingston complains when I’m late.”
    Two minutes after Albert rushed out the door, I raised my arms and yawned. Then, very casually, I said to Rachel, “Sweetheart, I’m glad you feel the way you do.”
    â€œAbout what?”
    â€œAbout us slowing things down a bit. Us having kids especially . . .”
    She nodded. “We’re both still very young. Even if we wait five more years after we get married to become parents, we’ll still be fairly young by the time our kids are ready for college.”
    â€œUh, yeah. I don’t have a problem with that. But I’ve been thinking about something else, too. Now that we both agree that waiting to have children is a smart thing to do, why not hold off a little while on the wedding, too?”
    Maybe it was my imagination, but as soon as I said that, Rachel looked somewhat relieved.
    She still gave me a surprised and glassy-eyed look, though. “How long?” she asked.
    â€œNot too long. Now that you’ve been promoted to head bookkeeper, you’ll probably have to spend more time at work, and that can put a lot of stress on you and our relationship. And you know how busy things are with me at work right now. I’m wooing some serious clients, and I need to be able to give them my undivided attention.”
    Rachel stood up, positioned herself in front of me, and eased down into my lap. “Don’t take this the wrong way, but you took a load off my mind by suggesting we delay the wedding.”
    â€œHuh?”
    â€œHoney, I didn’t know how to bring up the subject of us delaying the wedding for a little while longer. But you’re right. I am going to be very busy for a while and stressed out for sure. The girl they hired to do my old job and be my assistant is not too bright, so it’s going to take some time for me to train her properly. Besides that, I’d like to lose a couple of dress sizes before the wedding.” After Rachel planted a quick kiss on my cheek, she added, “What if we wait until next year? Even a little longer, if we have to. You know I love you from the bottom of my heart and I’m not going anywhere. And I know you’re not, either.”
    I nodded. “Next year sounds wonderful, honey.” I wanted to kiss Rachel’s feet, but I settled for her lips. I gave her the most passionate French kiss I could manage. She had no idea how easy she had made things for me!

Chapter 7
    Rachel
    T HE MONTHS SLID BY, AND THINGS WERE LOOKING BETTER AND BETTER for Seth and me. By the time 2001 rolled around, I had received two hefty salary increases since my promotion at the prestigious private middle school I worked for as a bookkeeper. Seth had twice as many clients as the year before, so the ad agency that he had started on a shoestring budget was doing very well. Even though we were more financially secure than ever, our marriage was still on hold. We didn’t mention setting a date that often anymore, and there was really no need to. We had pretty much decided that we’d do it sometime toward the end of the year or early the next year, but no later.
    In February, on a Thursday a few days after Valentine’s Day, Uncle Albert called me up around 7:00 p.m. I had just come home from the market and still had the grocery bag in my hand. I smiled when I saw my uncle’s name on the caller ID. That smile didn’t stay on my face long. What he had to say made my heart skip several beats.
    â€œBaby girl, I’m in trouble, and I need your help real bad,” he whimpered. The tone of his voice gave me enough reason to be concerned.
    â€œI just got home. Let me put the groceries away and take off my sweater,” I said. “I’ll call you back in a few minutes—”
    â€œPlease don’t hang up on me, baby!” Uncle Albert interrupted. “I need your help!”
    â€œCalm down, Unc.