Lillian Duncan - Until Death Do Us Part by Lillian Duncan Read Free Book Online Page A

many washings as well.
    She felt a tug in her heart.
    Reggie joined them while they waited for the hostess. “Do you mind if I sit with you? I hate to eat alone.”
    The woman gave her a shy smile. “Sure.”
    The hostess seated them. Noah scooted in making room for Reggie while his mother and sister sat opposite them. Reggie smiled. “Are you hungry, Noah?”
    His brown hair fell into his eyes as he nodded. He pushed his hair out of his eyes. A two inch cut was on the side of his face.
    Her intuition told her there was more to this family being in a motel than taking a road trip for fun. She picked up her menu but looked over at the mother. “So, I know Suzie and Noah’s name but not yours.”
    The woman still wore her sunglasses. “My name’s Misty.” Her voice so soft Reggie could barely hear her.
    “It’s nice to meet you, Misty.”
    The woman nodded but said nothing.
    “So, what are you going to have, Noah?”
    Noah looked over at his mom. “I don’t know.”
    Misty sounded tired. “You and your sister can share a meal. Do you want a hamburger or a hot dog?”
    “But, Mom…” His voice trailed off as his mom shook her head at him.
    “Oh, let them both get a meal. My treat.”
    “I have money.” Red crept up Misty’s neck and to her face.
    “I know you do, but I have to repay you for letting me sit with you. I would have gotten indigestion if I’d eaten alone. And you know what that would mean,” She looked over at Noah and winked, “I’d be belching all night long.”
    The boy giggled.
    Reggie looked back over at Misty. “Really, I want to do this. Please.”
    Misty shook her head. “You don’t have to.”
    “But I don’t have any kids of my own, so let me spoil yours for awhile.”
    Misty nodded and pushed her blond hair away from her face. She tucked the blonde strands behind her ear. Reggie noticed a bruise on the woman’s forearm. No reason to jump to conclusions. There were plenty of ways she could have gotten the bruise.
    Reggie looked at Noah. “Go ahead, order anything you want. It doesn’t have to be off the kid’s menu.” She pointed at the huge hamburger on the front of the menu. “How about one of these with French fries and a milkshake?”
    “Chocolate.”
    “You got it. What about you, Miss Suzie? What would you like?”
    “Thpagetti.”
    “Mmm. That sounds delicious. Can I have a bite of it?”
    The little girl’s curls bobbed as she nodded in agreement. “Ok.”
    The waitress walked over with two boxes of crayons and coloring books. After giving her the kid’s orders, Reggie looked over at Misty, still wearing the sunglasses. “Go ahead and order, I’m not sure what I want yet.”
    Misty shook her head. “I’m not hungry. Just a cup of coffee for me.”
    “Two steak dinners?” Reggie arched a questioning brow at Misty. After she nodded agreement, Reggie looked back at the waitress. “I want mine medium rare. No potato for me, give me an extra side of green beans instead. And I’ll have the vinaigrette for my salad.”
    A small nod from the waitress and then she looked over at Misty. “How do you want your steak and potato?”
    “Medium well and sour cream and butter for the potato.”
    Reggie smiled inwardly. Misty looked as if she could use several potatoes, she was nothing but skin and bones.
    After the waitress left, Reggie asked the two kids some questions about this and that but they soon lost interest and started coloring their place mats. “Your kids are great.”
    Misty twisted a lock of hair around her thumb and finger and then as if realizing the nervous habit, put her hands in her lap. “Thanks.”
    “It’s not very bright in here. Why don’t you take off your sunglasses?”
    Misty shook her head and her voice sounded panicked. “That’s ok. I don’t wan—”
    Reggie put her hand over Misty’s. “It’s ok, really. I grew up in foster homes. It won’t be the first time I’ve seen a black eye.”
    Misty’s mouth trembled. She