Cradle and All by M. J. Rodgers Read Free Book Online

failed.
    What disappointed her so much? Was it that he had had a child out of wedlock? Or that he didn’t want to marry the mother of his child?
    No, it was the fact that he had put his desires first—just like any ordinary man. Tom wasn’t special, after all. And she had wanted him to be. Because she was so damn attracted to him.
    It’s better this way, that wise voice inside her said. You know the truth. Now you can stop the silly fantasies about the guy and get on with your vacation.
    As soon as he got back from his visit to the distraught parents, that was exactly what Anne was going to do. And this time, she was not going to let herself be talked out of it.

CHAPTER THREE
    A NNE AWOKE S UNDAY morning to a raven’s angry croak. She slipped out of bed and crossed to the window. The raven was perched on a nearby tree, scolding a sleek ginger cat that was in pursuit of whatever had ducked beneath the deck below. The cat was clearly oblivious to the bird’s tirade.
    A prowling tom, no doubt, Anne thought with irritation.
    She cracked open the window and leaned out. The raven eyed her curiously, then ignored her completely as it proceeded to preen its silky black feathers.
    The morning mist drifted like a delicate silver veil through the meadow below. Ribbons of pink and purple light encased the sleepy village of Cooper’s Corner like giant bows decorating a birthday present. The images were lovely, the air sweet with the kiss of spring.
    But it was way too frosty for a thin nightgown and bare feet. Anne leaned back and shut the window.
    She knew when it was time to retreat. And not just from a chilly morning.
    If and when Fred called to let her know about the rusty-red VW Beetle, she would pass along the information to Tom as promised. But by telephone. There was absolutely no reason to ever see him again. And she wasn’t going to.
    Smart women stayed clear of unsuitable men.
    Yesterday, she’d gotten carried away, become too involved in a business that shouldn’t have concerned her. It had been a mistake. Not her first. Probably not her last. But one that she definitely was putting behind her.
    Today was a brand-new day—the day when she really started her long-awaited vacation.
    A gentle knock sounded at the door. Anne padded across the thick carpet to see who it was. Maureen stood in the hall, holding a tray with two cups of coffee.
    “You are a great hostess,” Anne said as she opened the door wide to invite Maureen inside.
    “Newlyweds and friends get special treatment,” Maureen replied with a smile.
    They settled on the daisy brocade bedspread, backs braced against the headboard, softened with fluffy pillows. Anne polished off her coffee in one long delicious gulp. The rich liquid left a trail of warmth, more than welcome after her brief taste of the chilly morning air.
    “Thanks,” she said, returning the cup to the tray when she had finished. “I really needed that.”
    Maureen eyed Anne over the rim of her cup. “You didn’t sleep well.”
    “The bags are that big beneath my eyes?” Anne asked, chuckling.
    “I heard you pacing the floor. My room is just below.”
    Anne frowned. “Oh. Sorry.”
    “No reason to be,” Maureen said. “The twins caught a cold. They kept me awake. The question is, what kept you?”
    Avoiding Maureen’s inquisitive gaze, Anne got up and meandered over to the window. What she had learned about Tom and the baby was not her secret to share. If Tom wanted to tell his parishioners, that was up to him. But no one was going to hear it from her.
    “The view from this room is spectacular,” Anne said. “I love seeing the snow-covered mountains soaring above the trees.”
    “Okay, you don’t want to talk about it,” Maureen said, rising off the bed. She picked up the tray and started toward the door. “Take your time coming down. I won’t clear away the buffet until you’re ready.”
    Anne felt a twinge of guilt for having cut off her friend.