Rose for Rose: Book Two in the Angels' Mirror Series by Harmony L. Courtney Read Free Book Online Page B

the man I thought actually loved me. I know I’ve messed up, but is this really necessary? Can’t we do this another way? Can anything good come from it? You promised to work everything out for the good of those who love You, and I love You, God. What’s happening to me? Why are You allowing this?” Her whisper was furious in the waning light.
    She carefully looked around her, seeing herself from all angles, the mirrors playing with shadow and light.
    One mirror in particular caught her attention, and she wondered where it came from. An angel rested atop it, and somehow, she felt God had heard her prayer, even though there was no way she could explain that to anyone if they asked. It just… brought her a strange peace.
    Part of it was hidden by layers of dust that coated both wood and glass. She wasn’t sure all the wood was the same variety, and she didn’t know enough about things of that nature to venture a guess.
    All she knew was it transfixed her.
    As long as I can see that mirror , she thought, I’ll know God is with me. Even though I can’t feel Him in this place… and I can’t see Him, I can believe. I can believe it , she told herself, because I need to .
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     

 
     
     
     
    Five
     
    Arthur grumbled as he pulled into Rosemary’s driveway.
    How could Andrea be so stupid? Surely, she didn’ think I’s goin’na be lettin’ her get away with all her nonsense and have no consequence come down on her. It’s not as if I’s really… naw, best change the thoughts. Rosemary perceptive. Who knows what she pick up if I keep thinkin’ o’ that…
    With a shake of his head, he exited the Cadillac, proud of how the deep plum interior made the shiny ivory shell gleam all the more. He pulled the Club out from the back seat and attached it to the steering wheel, locked up, and headed up the macadam drive, then the brickwork pathway, to the front door.
    From what he could tell, not a lot had changed in terms of the yard; a few new rose bushes, maybe, and the yard didn’t look quite as healthy as when he’d seen it last, but that had been years ago.
    Maybe his memory wasn’t totally accurate.
    Just before he reached the door, he sniffed at his hands again. No vomit smell, and he’d washed enough times, there shouldn’t be evidence of blood… good!
    Quickly raising a hand to knock, a smile on his face, the door opened.
    “Take care, Rosemary,” he heard the petite African American woman in the entry say. He noticed her red-brown hair was relaxed into a minimal wave.
    Who was this?
    There was something familiar about her that he couldn’t quite put his finger on, but did it really matter right now?
    The woman turned, nearly bumping into him as she exited. With a harrumph, he scowled. “What’s the big idea, lady?”
    “Oh, Arthur. Hi,” Rosemary said cheerily. “You’re here early.”
    Was he?
    He looked at his watch as the young stranger carefully inched around him “I’ll see you later, Girlfriend,” she called to Rosemary.
    His watch read seven seventeen.
    He’d been able to clean up, get Andrea settled, and over here in record time, and he wasn’t even trying to be early. He smiled, impressed with himself.
    He was usually late to everything.
    “Guess I’s early, afta all. You right. Guess it’s dat it’s jus’… it jus’ been a long time, and I been meanin’ t’ come see ya,” he said, trying to take his mind off the woman taped to his bed. “I appreciated the invite fo’ dinner. Long time since a real woman done cook me up somethin’ special-like. ‘Cept Iris, but she don’t count.”
    Rosemary had been the one steady pen pal from when he was behind bars. Steadier than his mother, his brother, his sisters. Steadier than Uncle Dabney and Aunt Clarice, God rest her weary soul. Steadier, even, than Mark Jeffries.
    Quickly taking a step closer to Rosemary as her friend called goodbye again,