Mated by H.M. McQueen Read Free Book Online

another woman she became physically ill.  Madison patted her stomach and waited for it to settle.  When people said love hurt, they were not kidding.
    She closed her eyes and prayed when he moved on, and whoever the woman was, she would love him as much as she did.
     
     
    The first week in Puerto Rico, Madison spent in bed crying and feeling sorry for herself.  Days passed before she realized her neighbors were walking past the house craning their necks in an effort to catch a glimpse of the new woman who'd yet to venture out.  Madison, now Melina Cruz, made a show of leaving to go to the market and walked to a fruit stand to purchase items, making small talk in her stilted Spanish. The streets of the small port town of Aguadilla were replete with vendors and amazing aromas.  Along with her name changed, her hair was now cropped to chin length and a bright auburn shade.
    One of her new friends was an older lady named Anita, who insisted on tutoring Madison in gardening.  The gray haired woman was a no-nonsense type who didn't ask questions and took great joy spending time in the garden.  Madison understood when she found escape in sinking her hands into the rich earth.
    Weeks went by and Madison became comfortable. Even her Spanish improved. 
    Finally she had a good schedule, set to keep busy.  Breakfast, a run, and a couple hours working online from her house for an employer that hired her to translate documents to English. Madison didn't need a job, but would go crazy without some sort of semblance of normalcy.  The translation work kept her mind engaged and stopped her from thinking of Raythe too often.
    Cooking and gardening followed work.  In the evenings, she would take a walk and sometimes spend time visiting Anita. 
    The nights were worse. Memories of him and wondering what he did kept her awake.  But she was determined not to attempt any kind of communication with Florida.  If anything it would set her back and once more she'd have to start over in her quest to remove Raythe from her heart.
    On a sunny afternoon, pride filled her as she studied the bright flowers she'd grown from seeds in the window box. On the ground next to the front door, two planters also brimmed with plants. 
    Watering can in hand, she pulled a couple of stray weeds when a truck rambled down the road. The driver honked and waved. At the man's loud whistles, Madison roll her eyes.  Puerto Rican men were flirts.  When a taxi came down the street next, she went inside not in the mood for another catcall.
    Madison hesitated at the door, something felt off.  She glanced around the open space of the living room and kitchen, but didn't note anything disturbed. The air seemed too still, but nothing was amiss.  Not one to ignore her instincts, especially knowing the council would not stop looking for her, she closed the door and walked against the wall away from the windows.  The tile floor was cool under her bare feet as she went to the doorway and peered into her bedroom.  Once again nothing disturbed.
    A bird flew past the window and she jumped.  "I'm being silly." Madison shook her head and went to the kitchen to pour a cold drink.
    The glass crashed to the tile floor and shattered.  Outside the window stood Raythe, his eyes locked to hers.

 
     
    Chapter Six
     
     
     
    Raythe cursed at the flutter in his stomach and jump in his pulse at locking gazes with Madison.  Her mouth fell open, her eyes wide.  Shock followed by fear registered on her face.  When her shoulders rounded, he walked to the front door.  If she fled, he was prepared to catch her.
    He found her and wasn't leaving her side this time until he had all the answers.  Why had she left him?  The truth of why she found it necessary to leave rather than fight alongside him against whatever caused her flight.
    It surprised him when she opened the door for him and stood back.  A very different Madison stood before him.  In a light yellow strapless sundress