When Day Breaks by Mary Jane Clark Read Free Book Online

in your insulated housewife’s world, without any conception of what real pressure is.”
    “At least I graduated college,” Faith blurted out.
    Constance stared coldly at her sister. “I’ll ignore that, Faith, because I know how upset you are. But these past few months have been difficult for me, and I need my rest before I start my new gig.”
    Faith picked up her purse. “How do you live with yourself, Constance?”
    “Don’t worry about me, Faith. I sleep very well at night.” Constance turned and walked away.
    While Faith stood watching her sister’s back, she heard the faint ring coming from her purse. She dug inside and pulled out her cell phone.
    “Mrs. Hansen? It’s me. Karen.”
    “What is it, Karen? Is my mother all right?” Faith asked fearfully.
    “Yes. She’s fine, Mrs. Hansen. She’s still taking her nap. But I just wanted to let you know that my adviser called and canceled our appointment. You don’t have to rush home now.”
    Faith put the cell phone back in her purse as she decided what she was going to do with her newly found free time.

CHAPTER 10
     
    C onstance arrived at her country house as the sun was beginning to set. As she turned in to the gravel driveway, she shifted the car into park and got out to open the wooden gate that blocked the entry. The gate wasn’t designed as a hindrance to any would-be intruder. All it took was simply sliding up the iron latch, and it swung open easily. The real safeguard for Constance and her property was the sophisticated electronic alarm system that armed the place.
    She looked at the house, thinking, as she always did, how much she loved owning it. The architect had done a skillful job in designing a modern structure that was framed by the beauty of nature. There were lots of windows that let in the light from the outside and provided soothing views from the inside. Downstairs there was ample, flowing space for living with ease and entertaining graciously. Upstairs there were only two bedrooms, one for guests and another, larger room for Constance.
    She went directly upstairs, carrying the orange box containing her gifts. She took off her green suit and changed into a black one-piece swimsuit and donned the robe she’d just gotten as a going-away present. She grabbed one of the new towels and went downstairs to pour herself a scotch and soda.
    Out on the deck at the rear of the house, Constance sat for a while, sipping her drink and watching the sky darken. One by one, lights clicked on inside the house. She waited for the timers to go off down the hill around the pool, but the lights there never came on. Constance went back inside the house and checked the central circuit-breaker panel. Sure enough, the switch that controlled the pool lights had tripped. Constance popped it back into position.
    When she came outside again, the air was noticeably cooler. Constance wondered if the pool heater had been affected by the interrupted electrical circuit. She hoped not, because one way or another, warm water or not, she was determined to get in her exercise.
    At the edge of the pool, Constance stopped and dipped her toe in the water. It was a bit cooler than she would have liked, but not too bad. Even if the heater was off, the sun had been beating down on the pool for the past few days now. Constance knew that once she got in and started swimming, she would be fine.
    She took off her robe and threw it, along with the towel, on one of the lounge chairs. As she started to pin her hair up, her hand brushed the silk cord around her neck, and she realized she’d neglected to take off the amulet when she changed into her swimsuit. Constance unfastened the unicorn and placed it on the table. Then she walked to the side of the pool and eased herself down the ladder, inhaling as her body slipped into the cool water. Slowly and methodically, Constance began swimming her laps, pulling the water behind her in long, even strokes, totally unaware of the eyes