Cocoon by Emily Sue Harvey Read Free Book Online

true.
    Though she knew it had to push his patience at times, Barth acquiesced to her present wish for secrecy. He could have ranted about her cowardly procrastination. But he didn’t.
    â€œOnly demand I make is having my wife in my bed.” Barth’s dark gaze pinned her and she felt the impact of his territorial declaration.
    â€œThanks,” she whispered and reached over to take his hand.
    â€œFor what?” His eyes swept over her in sweet ownership.
    â€œFor loving and nurturing me. I haven’t felt so  – treasured in many years.”
    â€œYou’re very welcome.” His deep timbre rolled over her skin and she felt goose bumps rise. How she loved this man. How his very male protectiveness thrilled her.
    How long it had been since she’d felt that snuggly warm covering.
    From his nearby roost in the sunshine, a vigilant Brutus gave a guttural WoRuff, then trotted over to Seana and nudged his snout into her hand, then burrowed his head there for her touch.
    â€œOkay, boy,” Barth threw up his hands in surrender. “I know jealousy when I see it.”
    Seana laughed and pulled Brutus’s head over her lap and gave his fur a thorough scruffing. “There’s plenty of me to go around.”
    â€¢ • •
    â€œSeana, you look different,” Louann Melton, the pastor’s wife – an abbreviated, five-two, red-haired image of the movies’s Nicole Kidman – hugged Seana in the church vestibule that Sunday morning as they left services. She leaned back and peered intently into Seana’s blushing face. “Kinda like the cookie jar bandit.”
    At Seana’s near startled response, Louann laughed. “Not that bad. But pretty close. You and Barth named the date yet?”
    Just then, Seana’s blond hairdresser buddy, Joanie, grabbed and pulled her in for a big hug, rescuing her from Louann’s curious probing.
    â€œHey, darlin’.” Her voice dropped to a conspiratorial whisper. “You have fun on your trip to the mountains?”
    Seana’s mouth dropped open. She reared back to gape at her friend. “How –”
    â€œSo it’s true?” Joanie giggled and whispered, “Don’t know how she does it but Sadie Tate said she stopped by Fred’s Grocery Store the other day and Fred said when you lovebirds stopped by the Texaco station he spotted suitcases in the back of your car. Sadie added it together and came up with the idea that you and your man was a’ sneaking out for a tryst.”
    Shock speared Seana. “Well I never.” She pushed back umbrage and opened her mouth to placate Joanie’s curiosity, at the same time wanting to throttle Sadie Tate for her nosiness. And tale-bearing.
    â€œNever mind.” Joanie shook her head. “You don’t have to tell me anything you don’t want to, honey. I know Sadie’s imagination’s quite lively, doncha know? Well, I’ve gotta run ’cause some of us are goin’ over to the Mater and Onion for their Sunday Buffet. You and Barth want to join us?” Her huge eyes, today a peculiar but lovely shade of lens-enhanced amber, appealed sweetly as the long, thick lashes blinked once, twice ….
    â€œEr … not this time. I’ve already prepared some chicken salad for lunch. Thanks anyway for the invite. Another time?”
    â€œSure.” The open smile flashed as she squeezed Seana’s hand.
    â€œOops!” Joanie collided with brawny, strappy Scott Burns, Paradise Springs High’s athletic coach. His big hands reached out to steady her, but his eyes were on Seana. “’Scuse me?”
    â€œSure, Scott.” Joanie pivoted to rush out to join her lunch party.
    Seana watched Joanie’s classy red dress disappear from sight, feeling like she’d been rammed in the middle by el Toro . Were she and Barth that transparent?
    Did everyone suspect them of being