Obsession by Kathi Mills-Macias Read Free Book Online Page B

Hey, no problem. How about Sunday? We can all go to church together—you and me, and Melissa too—and then out for a nice brunch afterward. How does that sound?”
    At the moment it sounded absolutely wonderful—if only she could get past the guilt she felt over her deceptive answer. True, she and Melissa had plans for the next day, but only for the morning. Howcould she tell Brad—especially now, with Melissa right there and without first having a chance to explain to him about their awkward sidewalk meeting that morning—that she would be spending the following afternoon at Eagle Lake with Abe Matthews? She resolved to tell Brad as much as she could, as soon as possible. For now she would just have to let him think that her plans with Melissa included the entire day.
    “Brunch on Sunday sounds perfect,” she said, looking directly at Melissa. “The three of us.” Melissa nodded happily. “You've got a date, counselor. Melissa and I will be looking forward to it.”
    “So will I.” His voice softened considerably. “I miss you.”
    “I miss you too,” said Toni, meaning every word. “See you then.”
    She reached over and hung up the phone, then leaned back against the couch and closed her eyes.
    “He's pretty awesome, isn't he?”
    Toni nodded. “Yes, he is. I can't imagine what I'd do without him.”
    “I hope you never have to find out.”
    Toni opened her eyes and looked at her sister. “What does that mean?”
    Melissa shrugged and looked down. “Nothing. Just… I hope you two never break up or anything—that you get married like you've planned for so long.”
    “Why wouldn't we?”
    She shrugged again. “I don't know.” Then, looking up, the fourteen-year-old was suddenly very serious. “You're not dating that Abe Matthews guy, are you? I know he's a hunk and everything, but… but you've got Brad, and he loves you, and—”
    Toni reached over and put her hand on Melissa's arm. “And I love him. Brad and I will get married, just like we've planned. You have nothing to worry about. I'm not dating Abe Matthews, no matter how much of a hunk he is, and I'm not going to do anything to jeopardize my relationship with Brad.” She smiled, wondering if she shouldexplain further, but decided against it, at least for the time being. “I promise. OK?”
    Melissa smiled and nodded. “OK,” she said. “Thanks, Sis.”
     

     
    The haunting images of the frightened teenager with the flowing blonde curls drifted through her mind as she tossed and turned, never quite certain if the images were vague, unconnected thoughts or snatches of a dream. In that surreal world between conscious thought and sound sleep, Toni agonized over the young, insecure girl, one moment cheering her on as the teenager seemed to rise to her full stature and stand steady on her feet, the next urging her to run before some illusive danger overtook and devoured her. Finally, just after midnight, Toni sat up in bed, her heart pounding in her ears, her nightgown drenched in sweat and clinging to her.
    What was it about Julie Greene that she couldn't let go, even in her sleep? Was she truly obsessed with the girl as Brad had suggested? Or was it just that there was some macabre, intangible tie between Julie and Toni's father? Whatever it was, Toni shivered at the ominous undercurrent that seemed to permeate the entire matter. Then she wondered, Was the girl in the dream really Julie Greene, or could it have been Toni herself?
    Either way, why did she feel such fear, as if she were stepping off the edge of everything familiar and dear into some nameless black hole from which there was no escape?
     

     
    Saturday had dawned bright and sunny, just as predicted. The meeting at Mrs. Johnson's had gone well, and Melissa and Tyler had gotten along famously. Everyone agreed they were a perfect match, and the decision was made for Melissa to show up for work at theJohnsons' home at 7:30 on Monday morning. To celebrate, the sisters had gone