Fated Love by Radclyffe Read Free Book Online Page B

going."
    "Yes."
    Even with traffic crawling because of the poor visibility and occasional tree branch blowing into the road, it took less than fifteen minutes to reach their neighborhood.
    "My house is just up the block," Honor remarked, the first words either of them had spoken since leaving the hospital. "Where are you?"
    "Just around the corner there on Morris. I can walk—"
    "Of course not," Honor said emphatically. "I'll just circle the block and drop you off. It's no problem."
    "Thanks. I appreciate it."
    Two minutes later, Honor pulled to the curb in front of the house that Quinn indicated. "Well, I'll see you tomorrow, then."
    "Will do." Quinn pushed the door open, stepped out into the downpour, and looked back into the car. "Thanks again, Honor."
    Honor just nodded, waited while Quinn pulled her bike from the back, and continued to watch as Quinn made a run for the front porch. For just an instant, she had contemplated inviting Quinn home with her for dinner. She had no idea why, because it was completely out of character for her to be spontaneous in any kind of social situation. All she knew was that she hadn't wanted to say good night to Quinn. And
that
thought was enough to spur her into action. With a quick glance into her mirrors, she pulled away from the curb and headed toward the comfortable security of home.

    Chapter Five
    H onor parked in the narrow drive beside her half of a three-story Victorian twin and entered through the back door into the kitchen. Her mother-in-law, Phyllis Murphy, was doing dishes in the sink that faced a window overlooking their shared backyard. Phyllis lived in the other half of the twin, the mirror image of Honor's.
    At the sound of Honor's arrival, Phyllis turned to survey her with a mild frown on her smooth, heart-shaped face. Although close to sixty, Phyllis could easily be taken for fifteen years younger, with her still-shapely form and her wavy chestnut hair that showed not a trace of gray. Her blue eyes were piercing and bright, and at the moment, sparkling with fond exasperation. "Well, you're a fine spectacle. You're soaking wet. Get out of your shoes right there, and then go directly upstairs and take a warm shower."
    Wordlessly, Honor kicked off her shoes. She'd known the woman since she'd been a teenager, and Phyllis was as close to a mother as Honor's own. Now that her parents had retired to the Southwest to escape the cold winters, she saw them only at major holidays. Phyllis, on the other hand, was a central part of her and Arly's daily life. Phyllis not only provided essential child care, she was one of Honor's best friends.
    "Where's the munchkin?"
    "In the living room. Did you eat?"
    "Not yet." Honor pulled a hand towel from a rack above the counter by the sink and gave her head a brisk rubdown, soaking up most of the water from her hair. "I'll fix something—"
    "I put a plate for you in the oven. As soon as you've changed,
and
showered, come down and have your dinner."
    Honor knew better than to argue. As she passed the older woman, she gave her a fond hug. "Is she okay?"
    "Seems to be. Most of the time she forgets about it, and then when she remembers, I think she's rather proud of herself."
    "Proud of herself?" Honor raised an eyebrow.
    "I think she's looking forward to showing her stitches to all of her friends tomorrow."
    Honor laughed. "Sounds like she's going to survive, then. I'll be back in a minute, then you can go home if you want."
    "I'm in no hurry," Phyllis replied as she began loading the dishwasher.
    On the way down the hall to the main staircase at the opposite end, Honor peeked into the living room with its brick fireplace, walnut hardwood floors, and bay windows. Her daughter sat curled up on the sofa, the television tuned to a nature program, and a dark, curly haired form sprawled in her lap. At Honor's approach, the shapeless black mass metamorphosed into a tail-wagging standard poodle.
    "Hi, sweetheart." Honor leaned down to kiss the top of