Music in the Night by V. C. Andrews Read Free Book Online Page A

he had dug with the tires. The car bounced along the beach road until we were on more solid ground. Cary stopped and returned to detach his chain.
Robert stepped out.
"Thanks a lot," he said sheepishly.
"I didn't do it for you. I did it for Laura," Cary replied. He stepped over to my side of the car. "You better come home with me, Laura," he said.
"I'll take her home," Robert said.
"It looks like it's safer if she drives with me," Cary said, and even in the darkness, I could see Robert turn bright red.
"If I don't come home with Robert, Daddy will wonder why, Cary."
"So?"
"You're not going to tell him about this," I pleaded.
"No, of course not," he said quickly. "Okay, but it's getting late," he warned. He looked at Robert. "And I'm not going to hang around here to bail you out again."
He strutted back to his truck and then drove away. Robert got back into the car and pulled out, driving slowly.
"Why did he follow us, Laura?"
"He was bored, I suppose," I said. It was weak, but it was all I could think to say.
"Was he there all the time, sitting in his truck right behind us? Watching us? Spying on us?"
I started to speak, but just shook my head instead.
"Those idiots back at the dance were right, you know. He was in the parking lot. You've got to help him, Laura. You've got to help him realize you can't be his little sister forever," Robert said.
"I know, Robert. Let's not talk about it right now, please," I begged. Just thinking about Cary's weird obsession with Robert and me brought tears to my eyes and put a lump in my throat.
"Okay," he said, and we were both
uncomfortably silent until my house came into view.
"I'm sorry for what happened," Robert said after he parked in our driveway. "Cary was right to bawl me out for it. I just hope it didn't ruin your night."
"No, it didn't. I had a wonderful time, Robert. Really, I did."
"Me too," he said. "I'll call you tomorrow, okay?"
"Let me call you. It'll be easier that way," I said.
"Okay. If that's what you want." He looked worried.
"I'll call. I promise," I said. He smiled and we kissed quickly before I hopped out of his car. "Thanks for a wonderful evening, Robert."
"Good night, Laura."
I closed the door and looked over at Cary's truck. He was already in the house. When I entered, I found Daddy had waited up for me and was sitting in the living room reading. He looked up from his book. I held my breath, wondering whether Cary had decided to say something after all.
"Have a good time?" Daddy asked.
"Yes, Daddy. It was very nice."
"Everybody behaved themselves?"
"Yes, Daddy."
He nodded and then lowered his voice.
"Your brother didn't come home much earlier than you. I think he's got a secret girlfriend. Am I right?" he asked quickly, unable to keep the hope from his voice.
I felt the blood drain from my face as I shook my head. I hated lying to Daddy.
"I don't know, Daddy. He's never mentioned any girl to me," I said.
Daddy stared at me a moment and then shrugged.
"Oh well," he said, "he'll tell us when he wants to. I just hope it's not someone he thinks we'd be ashamed of." Daddy continued to gaze at me with questioning eyes.
I pressed my teeth on my lower lip and shook my head.
"I don't know, Daddy." How I wished it were true that Cary had found a girlfriend, I thought sadly.
"Well," Daddy said, looking at the clock on the mantel, "young Mr. Royce brought you home on time. That's good." He sighed deeply and stretched out his arms. "It is late though, so I guess I'll go to sleep, too," he added and yawned. "Don't forget we're all going to Grandma Olivia and Grandpa Samuel's tomorrow for brunch."
"Okay. Good night, Daddy," I said, happy to get away from his questioning eyes.
I hurried up the stairs. Pausing on the landing, I saw the door to Cary's room was closed and quickly went into my own room, closing the door behind me. I leaned against it and caught my breath. It was only then that I finally felt myself relax with relief.
Unwilling to take off my party dress just yet, I