Maid for Martin by Samantha Lovern Read Free Book Online Page A

drink.
    The sound of heels kept coming. Randi closed her eyes tightly as if this would help her disappear. “I’m not going to ask him to forgive me. All actors are the same. They’re self-absorbed and they need someone around to keep them grounded. It’ll work out. Hey, I have a call coming in. I’ll call you later.
    “Hey, Martin, where are you? I’ve been trying to call you all day.” Randi noticed Celia’s tone had changed. And thankfully her heels were going in the other direction. Randi sighed and straightened, being careful not to bump into anything.
    “Why didn’t you come home last night? I waited for you for hours. It’s been days since we’ve made— What? No. You have to come home. We have guests coming. Listen, we can work this out. We don’t need to have this discussion until the party’s over.”
    Trouble in paradise. Randi strained to hear as Celia walked farther away. She moved along the wall, moving closer so she could hear what happened next.
    “I know I’m not always supportive, but you have to understand. I can’t help it if I don’t like your occupation. The people you work with are all fake. They’re just out to see what they can get – No, that’s not acceptable. I want you home tonight. Your family will be here Friday, and there are things we need to discuss.”
    As Celia started to pace again Randi stepped back. There was silence on the phone and she heard a sigh escape as Celia’s heels clicked across the floor. Randi didn’t pray much these days, but her mother had instilled it in her, that in times of need you bowed your heart and lifted your head, so she did so. Please get me out of this one. I need this job.
    When Celia spoke it was easy for Randi to see that her tone had changed. It was so obvious she was trying to appeal to Martin’s softer side. Randi hoped the conversation was coming to an end and she prayed to that effect as Celia spoke.
    “I know I can be harsh. Take a few days off. I know this party is getting on our nerves. I can handle things. Enjoy your time with Mike, and be sure and invite him to the party. I know he’s in and out of your life, but he seems to put you at ease, so be sure he comes.”
    With this, Celia shut the phone and cursed a blue streak as she clip-clopped her way up the steps and out of the great room. Randi’s brow furrowed. Could the Mike Celia was talking about be the same Mike that was working on the Harley and driving the limo? If the Limo driver and Celia were sleeping around, she wouldn’t invite him to the party. Would she?
    Randi shook her head and slipped around the corner. Celia was right about one thing. This party was driving everyone nuts. And on the subject of men, it didn’t really matter if Mike was the limo driver or if Martin did come home tonight. Randi had a feeling she’d be a lot better off if she could avoid both of them, and she resolved to do just that.
     
    Chapter 9
    Emma
     
    Emma pressed her fingers to her forehead. It was going to be a long two weeks until Christmas. She shook off the irritations of the day and gathered her papers to go home. It would be good to get her hair out of this bun and soak her feet.
    She’d wanted to go home when she heard Celia ranting. From what she had overheard it seemed that Martin had left and wasn’t coming back tonight. That woman had finally driven that kind man from his own home, and Emma didn’t like it one bit.
    Taking a deep breath, she rose from the table and carried her empty glass to the sink. She was about to turn on the water when someone spoke.
    “I’ll wash that for you.”
    Emma turned to find Randi stepping into the kitchen. “No use in you getting your hands wet, when you’re about to leave. I was going to clean out the fridge. There'll be more to go with that mug in a bit. By the way, is there a dog that will eat scraps?”
    “My dear, if there was one, he wouldn’t be allowed to eat scraps. It would be beneath him, or at least it would be