Where There's Smoke by Karen Kelley Read Free Book Online Page A

her fantasy. What the hell was that?
    She uncurled from the sofa and went to the door. When she looked through the peep hole, she had her answer. Not what, but who. Great, Little Bo Peep. Or as she’d called herself, LeAnn.
    Destiny could pretend she wasn’t home. Maybe LeAnn would go away. She held her breath.
    The doorbell rang this time. Three short jabs.
    This lady was quickly becoming a pain in the ass. She would find out what she wanted, then get rid of her.
    “Did you need something?” Destiny asked after opening the door.
    LeAnn raised a casserole dish that she held securely with two potholders. “I had Lasagna heating, but I hate eating alone. I thought we could share.” She wiggled around Destiny and hurried toward the kitchen. “I’ve been here before so I know where Jennifer keeps everything.” She glanced over her shoulder. “I kicked my foot against your door, but I guess you didn’t hear me until I rang the bell.”
    “What the fuck,” Destiny muttered. But as she followed, her nose caught the aroma of the food and she realized she was hungry for more than ice cream. But she wouldn’t be making a habit of having the girl over.
    “Sorry to shove my way inside, but the potholders were getting a little too warm.” She smiled her perky little smile. “You haven’t eaten, have you?”
    “No.”
    “Great.” She peeled back the foil. On top of the lasagna were slices of garlic bread. She went to the cabinet and grabbed two plates, then scooted right down to one of the drawers and got utensils. When she had everything arranged, she looked at Destiny. “I guess we’ll have to drink water.”
    “I bought a bottle of wine.” She pointed toward the cabinet. Not that she really wanted to share. She’d planned on getting drunk later—all by herself.
    “Perfect!” LeAnn proceeded to get the bottle and unscrew the cap.
    The woman was moving in.
    “Oh, did I see an ice cream carton in the living room? We better put that in the freezer before it melts.” Zip, she was out of the room.
    She was like a freaking bee that overdosed on speed.
    “Sit down,” LeAnn said as she came back into the kitchen.
    Destiny still wasn’t sure, but she took a seat. LeAnn joined her. The next thing Destiny knew, there was food on her plate. She took a tentative bite. It was good, she conceded, then looked across the table. “Not bad.”
    “Thanks.” LeAnn beamed as if Destiny had told her she won a Country Music Award. “I’m just glad we met. It gets kind of lonely in the city.”
    Well, they weren’t about to become best buds! Not in this lifetime. Her forehead wrinkled. Not that she was alive. Besides, LeAnn was too sweet. Not her type.
    They ate for a few minutes in silence. The lasagna was pretty good. LeAnn was a regular little homemaker.
    “Why Ft. Worth?” Destiny finally asked when the silence started to get to her, but as soon as the words left her mouth she wanted to call them back. She was breaking her cardinal rule not to make friends, but then they weren’t actually friends. They were only sharing a meal. As soon as it was over, bye-bye.
    “Ft. Worth was a town along the way to my dream.” Her eyes suddenly grew wide. “That would make a good song. I’ll have to remember that.” LeAnn blushed. “I write a little, too.”
    LeAnn continued her inane chatter during the rest of the meal. Her conversation didn’t mean a thing, of course. Just words to fill the void. Destiny nodded in all the appropriate places. But after the meal, LeAnn was apparently not through bonding. The bad thing was that Destiny was starting to like her. This wasn’t good.
    “Let’s take our wine to the living room,” LeAnn suggested.
    Before Destiny could disagree, LeAnn was heading toward the other room. She plopped down on the sofa, then grabbed the magazine Destiny had been looking at.
    Destiny was careful not to let LeAnn see her smile. Little Miss Puritan would be out the door in a flash when she saw the page