Happily Never After by Bess George Read Free Book Online

an eye. The demise of the individual responsible for the death of his wife. The sole person who had ever accepted and loved him for who he was.
    Several hours later, and the formalities of his release finalized, he now wore civilian clothing. The jeans and T-shirt felt confining after the baggy orange jumpsuit. He almost wished for his familiar blanket of numbness as dead nerves awakened. His breathing became rapid and shallow. I’m almost free .
    The only thing he carried with him was a small plastic bag that contained the few personal items he owned. He shuffled after the guard to the inner prison gate. Time crawled as the metal creaked open. His vision narrowed to the next and final door between him and freedom. Calm down . He dueled with the impulse to run.
    After what seemed like hours, the second one opened, and he walked out a free man. He shuffled a few hesitant steps and then tilted his head back to enjoy the warmth of the sun.
    “Good luck.”
    When he glanced back, the guard stood feet braced, arms folded across his chest. The barbed-wire-topped prison walls were as intimidating today as they were when he arrived. Without a word, he started across the dusty parking lot .
    Luck was something he quit believing in a long time ago.

Chapter 6
    Kelsey exhaled at her reflection in the mirror. She spent all day debating on whether to go out with Bode or not. After flipping a mental coin, she began to get dressed. He seemed like the type of guy who would barge right into the room and bully her into going out.
    A simple pair of designer slacks, silk shirt, and low-heeled boots completed her outfit. Her hair hung straight and loose down her back. The words librarian bun still rang in her ears. Frazzled nerves made her palms damp, and she kept wiping them on her pants while reminding herself this wasn’t a date.
    At seven sharp, a soft knock sounded. She opened the door, and her stomach flipped at the sight. Bode in his work suit had been handsome. Now he was seductive. Dressed in black jeans and a crisp dress shirt covered by a black leather jacket, he was drool worthy. His dark hair curled around the coat’s collar, making him appear tough. He was a massive, self-confident presence.
    “You ready?”
    His deep voice sent warmth coursing through her. She picked up her bag and hurried out the door. As they crossed the lobby, the clean, fresh fragrance of his aftershave enveloped her.
    Once outside the hotel, he touched her arm and guided her to the big Tahoe. He helped her in before shutting the door. She repeated her mantra. Breathe in, breathe out, breathe in, and breathe out while she waited for him to join her.
    “Any more feelings of being followed since the other night?”
    She hesitated, torn between conflicting emotions. Her cheeks burned in remembrance of yesterday’s episode. Should she tell him about her hallucination? What if her imagination was at the root of all her paranoia? But that couldn’t be right. The phone calls and someone breaking into her car were real and acknowledged by the police.
    “No, nothing else.”
    They drove and made small talk until he pulled into a Mexican restaurant and parked. “This is one of my favorite spots.” His tone held a teasing note. “I hope you can handle spicy food.”
    She grinned. “Hey, I’m from Texas. I’m addicted, and the hotter, the better.”
    Bold pinks and greens adorned the walls and the familiar aromas wafting through the air eased her nervousness. The hostess led them to a small booth back in the corner. They were both long legged and had to squeeze in.
    Not usually one to drink, she studied the menu and decided to order a beer. Maybe a little liquid courage would help calm her jittery nerves. The waitress arrived and it surprised her when Bode ordered a soft drink.
    She glanced over at him. “You didn’t get anything from the bar. Are you on call tonight?”
    He inclined his head. “I am on call, but I don’t drink.”
    An awkward silence