The Scarlet Thread by Francine Rivers Read Free Book Online Page A

after the fact. “What’s the big deal?” he said as Clanton
    charged out the door before she could say anything. “He’s going
    to get wet anyway, and the pool’s heated.”
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    T H E
    S C A R L E T
    T H R E A D
    “Fine. You stand out in the rain and keep an eye on him,” she
    said, her fury far exceeding the incident. Swinging around, she
    went back into the master bedroom and plunked down on the bed.
    Alex came in a moment later, tight-lipped. “We’re going out
    for a while.”
    “Out?”
    “For an hour or two. To talk business.”
    She clenched her hands, wanting to scream. “Is Clanton back
    from his swim?” she said with icy sweetness.
    He stalked across the room. “You can sit nice and cozy where
    you are and keep an eye on him while you’re sulking.”
    Raw and exhausted, she looked at him. “What about groceries, or will there be enough pizza left for breakfast?”
    “If you look out the front gate, you’ll see the back of one of the
    biggest supermarkets in North Hollywood. You’ve got a car, and
    you’ve got the checkbook. Get what you need.” He went to the
    door and stopped. He uttered a soft curse and slammed the heel
    of his fist against the frame. “I’m sorry,” he said bleakly.
    Blinking back tears, she looked away.
    “This is only temporary, Sierra.”
    Still she said nothing.
    “I’ll hook up the TV before we leave.”
    “Great. That’ll be a real comfort,” she muttered under her
    breath as he left the room. A few moments later she watched him
    walk by the bedroom window with Steve and Matt. They were
    so intent on their conversation that he didn’t even spare a glance
    at her. She was already forgotten.
    Clanton and Carolyn were asleep in bed before he returned.
    “An hour or two?” she said when he walked in the door.
    He shrugged off his jacket and tossed it on the sofa. “We had
    a lot to talk about.”
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    She snapped off the television. She hadn’t even been paying
    attention to what she was watching, so intent was she on the
    time. “It’s after midnight, Alex. I’ve been worried sick. You
    could’ve called.”
    “I would’ve if I could’ve remembered the number. We’re unlisted.”
    An excuse, not an apology. “I’m going to bed,” she said in a
    choked voice and left him standing in the living room.
    She brushed her teeth and washed her face, then went into the
    bedroom to undress. Alex came in as she was pulling on her
    nightgown. “It’s been a long day,” he said.
    “The longest of my life.”
    She got into bed and pulled the covers up to her chin, staring
    up at the dark ceiling. She heard the whisper of clothing as Alex
    undressed. The bed dipped slightly when he sat down on it. He
    didn’t say anything more. What could he say? Swallowing hot
    tears, she turned her back to him while he set the alarm clock.
    When he lay back, he let his breath out slowly.
    She felt his hand curve over her hip and squeeze slightly. “I’m
    sorry.”
    His apology brought a rush of feelings and a flood of tears. She
    dug her fingers into her pillow, trying to stifle her sobs. Alex
    turned to her. Curving his body around hers, he pulled her into
    him, holding her firmly when she resisted his comfort. He
    stroked her long hair back and kissed the curve of her neck. “I
    love you.”
    She cried harder.
    He turned her to him gently. “Trust me,” he said raggedly and
    kissed her, comforting her in the only way he knew how.
    And for a while, Sierra was able to forget everything but the
    fact that she loved Alejandro Madrid above all else.
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    A R M E D W I T H A M A P A N D A N A D D R E S S , S I E R R A S E T
    off to enroll the children in school. She missed a turn and got lost.
    By the time she found what she was looking for, she and the children had seen North Hollywood, a portion of Studio City, eaten
    at a McDonald’s, and toured most of Sherman Oaks and San
    Fernando Valley. They arrived and entered the school