Cocoon by Emily Sue Harvey Read Free Book Online Page B

laughter joined Barth’s.
    â€œChicken salad is delicious.” Louann smacked her lips playfully, drawing appreciative laughter from the hosts. “The onion, chopped pecans, and sliced grapes hit my taste buds just right.”
    â€œBarth adds a few extra chopped herbs, too. They boost the flavor.”
    â€œBy the way,” Louann turned serious, “how’s Billie Jean? She’s not been at church for a couple of Sundays, has she? I haven’t seen her, but she could have slipped out past me.”
    â€œShe’s hardly come upstairs these past weeks.” Seana rose to refill tea and ice. She didn’t share her apprehension that perhaps Zoe’s dislike for Barth had gone viral, infecting Billie Jean.
    â€œShe’s having some medical issues,” Seana added, concern flushing through her.
    â€œOh?” Louann was instantly alert. “What kind?”
    â€œBillie Jean hasn’t said much. You know her.”
    â€œDo I.” Louann’s eyebrows shot up then she laughed.
    â€œShe did say something about protein showing up in her blood tests – during a routine exam. Now she’s going to see a specialist for more tests.”
    â€œHmm.” Pastor Keith shifted in his chair and leaned forward on his elbows. “That sounds kinda serious.”
    â€œJust what I was thinking,” Barth said.
    â€œWell, let’s hope and pray for the best.” Seana smiled, pushing back dark forebodings.
    â€œAbsolutely,” Pastor Keith rubbed his hands together. “How about playing us a song on the piano, Barth? Something like – Moon River.”
    After quick teamwork in cleanup, they migrated to the den.
    And soon, they were all singing along with familiar tunes, both old and new.
    The time passed too swiftly; before long, they were readying to depart.
    â€œHoney?” Barth’s eyes captured Seana’s across the den, a question glimmering in their mahogany depths.
    Seana nodded. It was time.
    Barth cleared his throat. “We want you two to be the first to know that we’re now married.” Barth went on to explain to his closest friend the whys and hows. Seana added the details of her children’s hesitant acceptance of Barth, soft-pedaling most of it.
    â€œHowever,” Barth nodded with confidence, “they’ll both come around in time. I understand how difficult it can be to lose your beautiful mother to a stranger. They’ll just have to get to know me better.”
    Seana looked at him, heard the hope in his deep voice and saw it in his eyes behind the thick lenses. Her heart struggled to believe what he said. He almost made her believe in magic. Surely, with time, Zoe and Tim would accept Barth for the wonderful man he was.
    Wouldn’t they?
    â€œWell, congratulations are in order.” Pastor Keith burst from the sofa, closed the distance, and pulled Barth into a bear hug while Louann captured Seana in a long, warm embrace.
    â€œThis is wonderful news,” Louann said as she collected her purse. “So your children don’t know yet?”
    â€œNo.” Seana dropped her head for a moment and then looked steadily at her friend. “But I’ll break the news in the next day or so.”
    Louann looked at her for a long moment, her eyes clouded, then, in an instant, her smile cleared them. “Kids can be funny about these things. We’ve got two married ones, you know. They can get a mite territorial at times.”
    â€œNo joke.”
    They both burst into laughter.
    After they waved the Meltons out of sight, Barth and Seana looked at each other and smiled.
    â€œTwo down,” Barth said. “Two to go.”
    Seana’s smile evaporated. “The two most critical.”
    â€¢ • •
    Seana came upon an idea. On her computer, she designed bold scripted letters that stated: DO NOT DISTURB THE NEWLYWEDS.
    â€œWhat do you think?” she asked Barth after she