LETHAL OBSESSION by Carey Regenold Read Free Book Online Page B

gene?                                             
          Her
head pounded in excruciating agony and her mouth felt like a ball of slimy
cotton. She tried to sit up and the world spun out of control.  With a groan
Ellen fell back down on the lounge chair clutching her churning stomach.  The
last thing she remembered was toasting Mark and pouring herself another drink. 
She was just going to have one more nightcap before going to bed.  That was
some nightcap.            Ellen could hear Juanita in the kitchen.  The aroma
of coffee and frying bacon was making her really queasy. She wanted to take a
shower but she didn't trust her legs to get her up the stairs.
    Oh
good grief, Ellen was disgusted with herself.  Get up you weakling and quit
being such a pussy.  With effort she slowly sat up ignoring the dizziness and
nausea.  Standing on wobbly legs, she made her way to the staircase knowing
Juanita watched her closely. 
          “Good
Morning, Juanita.”  She managed a weak smile but even that caused an excruciating
headache.  “Thanks for fixing breakfast but I’m not very hungry.  I’m going to
take a shower.  Maybe I can eat later.”
          Juanita
looked worried.  “Yes Senora.  Just let me know when you’re ready.”
    The
phone was ringing just as Ellen reached the bedroom.  She was tempted to let
Juanita take it, but changed her mind and picked up the receiver.
          “Hello?”
          "Hi
there.  This is your friendly sheriff here.  Just wanted to see how you’re
doing this morning.  How did the meeting go?"
          "Oh...
Gene."  Her brow wrinkled.  Why was he still calling?  "Well I... I
sort of had a date with Jack last night, you know, Daniels.  And....well
anyway, I think I slept good.” Why did she tell him that?  Oh hell, let him
think what he wants.  Who cares what anybody thinks.  She's alone now.  She can
do what she damn well pleases and if he doesn't like it, screw him. 
          “Say
no more, my dear.  I have the perfect solution for a major hangover.  I'll be
right over."
          “Gene,
wait.  You don't need to come. I don’t know why I told you that.”  Ellen
massaged her aching head.  “Just forget it, okay?  I’m fine.  Really I
am."  What a lie that was.  She didn’t feel fine.  Her brain felt like it
was stuffed with cotton.  She wasn’t even sure what day it was.  Her touch with
reality was fleeting and it was probably just as well.  All she wanted to do
was crawl into the shower and then into bed for the rest of her life.  Hearing
this man's voice over the phone was making her feel worse.  He didn't deserve
her surly bad mood but she couldn't help herself.
          "Now
look, Princess. I don't want to hear any argument from you.  I have a recipe
that will make you feel like a brand new person. This one was passed down from
my great grand pappy who just happened to be king of the moon shiners back in
his day." 
          “No,
Gene.  Not now.”  She held out her hand as if that would stop him.  “I don’t
feel like it... Gene?... Hello?  Damn.”  Ellen hung the phone up in
exasperation.  To hell with it, let him wait.  She was taking a shower.                    
          An
hour later, snuggled from head to toe in a white fluffy robe, Ellen felt almost
alive again.  With cautious steps she made her way down the winding staircase. A
deep male voice could be heard talking to Juanita in the kitchen.  Ellen looked
down at her attire.  Crap. She turned around to get on some decent clothes.
          On
trembling legs, Ellen made her way to the kitchen trying to fight the wisps of
dizziness that kept assaulting her senses. She could see Gene sitting at the
kitchen table drinking a cup of coffee.
          “Good
morning, Gene.”
          “Ah,
is the princess feeling any better?”