Flaw Less by Shana Burton Read Free Book Online

memory.”
    Angel sighed. “Baby, I just don’t know how comfortable I’d be wearing your dead wife’s clothes. It would be a little creepy, for lack of a better word.”
    Duke nodded. “I understand, and I’m sorry. It was stupid for me to even suggest that.”
    â€œIt wasn’t stupid,” she assured him. “Just because I can’t wear them doesn’t mean someone else couldn’t get good use out of them. If you want, we can set a few things aside for the girls to grow into.” Duke didn’t look convinced yet. “Just think about it, okay?”
    â€œI will. Give me a couple of days to think it over.”
    â€œOkay, but keep in mind that we’re trying to move forward, not stay in the past. Sometimes doing that requires us to make painful choices.”
    Duke was quiet for a few seconds. He loved his Theresa, but he also adored the woman seated across from him. “You’re right, baby. I love you. Reese is gone, and you’re the woman in my life now. If you want to donate the clothes, then that’s what we’ll do.”
    Angel beamed. The living—one point; the deceased—3, 492.
    Duke returned her smile, reminding Angel of one of the many things she loved about him. “So how are we coming with the wedding plans? Have you found a dress yet?”
    Angel shook her head. “I haven’t really started looking.”
    â€œWhat’s stopping you?” he asked, surprised.
    Her body tensed. “Are you sure this marriage is still what you want?”
    â€œDo you even have to ask?” Duke held up Angel’s left hand. Her exquisite white-gold, 1.5-karat diamond engagement ring sparkled under the light. “This is a symbol of my commitment to you, our marriage, and this family. You never have to question whether this marriage is going to happen or my love for you.”
    â€œSometimes, I wonder if I’m going to lose you. I don’t think I could survive that again.”
    â€œYou won’t lose me,” he promised her, inviting Angel into his arms. “And I can’t lose you again either. You know, baby, God allows strange things to happen. Obviously, I don’t think my being unfaithful to you when we were married was a part of God’s will, but I can’t help but think that having Morgan and Miley was. While I regret hurting you, I don’t regret having them. I don’t think Reese having cancer was God’s divine plan either, but I believe you coming here and being a part of our lives was. Reese’s illness was the catalyst for us all overcoming years of hurt and unanswered questions. It’s also what eventually brought us back together. Now, we have the family we always wanted. I know my girls can’t replace the child that the two of us lost, but this seems like the life we were always meant to have.”
    She nestled in Duke’s arms. “I know, but a part of me wonders if you’ll ever love me as much as you loved her.”
    â€œYes, I loved my wife,” Duke admitted. “But there’s only room in my life for one Mrs. King.”
    That much, she believed. However, the question remained whether he meant his last wife or his future one.
    As Angel finished clearing the table, she watched Duke, who sat on the sofa deep in thought. She knew without his having to say so that he was thinking of Reese again. She knew that being threatened by a dead woman was foolish, at best, and borderline psychotic, at worst. Nevertheless, Angel couldn’t help but feel like she was still competing with Theresa for Duke’s heart. After all, Theresa had come between them before. Who was to say she couldn’t do it again?

Chapter 6
    â€œI’m going to come back home and show you why you’re so lucky to have me!”
    â€” Lawson Kerry Banks
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    Lawson’s husband, Garrett, crept up behind his diminutive bride and snaked his arms around