Winds of Heaven by Kate Sweeney Read Free Book Online Page A

’em.”
    “Anything else... Mom?”
    Casey took the phone away from her ear and almost threw it across the store and remembered it was her phone. She took a deep breath. “No. Thanks. Goodbye, Grandmother.”
    “I think I want to meet this woman and—”
    “No,” Casey said. “I’ll call you later. You know I love you.”
    Neither spoke for a long moment. “Of course I know. I love you, too. Where did that come from? Ms. Kennedy or the little one? What’s her name, by the way?”
    “Skye,” Casey said with a chuckle and juggled the phone while she picked up the next item on the list. “She’s kinda feisty.”
    “Hmm.”
    Casey felt her face getting hot. “What does that mean?”
    “Oh, nothing, nothing. You go and finish grocery shopping. I’m sure laundry awaits.”
    “Very funny,” Casey said. “Bye, Gram.”
    “Goodbye and good luck, dear.”
    She was too busy reading the last item on the list to hear her grandmother’s laughter as she hung up. “Chocolate fudge swirl and whipped cream,” she repeated. Then it dawned on her, and she laughed in spite of herself. Cravings... She picked up two.

    Liz was throwing away all the old junk in the fridge when Casey came in the back door struggling with the bags.
    “Did I have that much on the list?”
    Casey gave her an incredulous look. “Did you have...?” She stopped as she set the bags down. “Yes.”
    Liz handed her several folded bills. “I-I’d like to help pay.”
    Casey looked from the money to the proud blue eyes. She gently pushed the money back to her. “I’ll take care of this round. We’ll talk later about the future.” By the look on Liz’s face, Casey wasn’t sure if she was going to argue or start crying again.
    “Thank you,” Liz said.
    The awkward silence between them, which was getting all to frequent, was mercifully interrupted by a small voice.
    “Mama, uppie .”
    Casey looked down at the girl standing there, her arms outstretched.
    Liz bent down and groaned as she lifted her. “Hi, sweet pea,” she said with a kiss on the cheek.
    Casey watched the exchange for a moment, then concentrated on the groceries. Casey felt Skye watching her with great interest and became extremely self-conscious under her scrutiny. So much so that she dropped an egg on the floor.
    “Damn it!” Casey cursed and grabbed a napkin.
    “ Damment !” Skye repeated.
    Completely caught off-guard, Casey looked up and let out a hearty laugh.
    Liz was less than thrilled. “Ms. Bennett, please.”
    Skye laughed watching Casey, who was still laughing.
    “ Damment ,” Skye repeated and clapped as she watched Casey, who now roared with laughter.
    Casey sobered after seeing the blue-eyed glare from the mother; she looked down at similar laughing blue eyes. “Okay, Shortround , no.”
    Skye stopped laughing but reached for Casey—Casey recoiled.
    “ Uppie ,” Skye said.
    Liz gave her a smug grin and made the introductions. “Skye. This is Casey.”
    Casey gave Skye a weak smile. What in the hell is going on? she thought.
    “ Cafey . Uppie …peas,” Skye begged.
    “Oh, all right. C’mon,” she grumbled and took the girl, who immediately hugged her around the neck. She turned bright red and avoided Liz’s smile.
    Casey sat at the kitchen table bouncing Skye on her knee as she watched Liz prepare dinner.
    “Why kids?” Casey asked out of the blue.
    Liz gave her a curious look, then smiled and shrugged. “I love children. Just because I’m gay doesn’t change my love for them.”
    “Yes, but look at what’s happened.”
    “What? My partner died. It’s the same as if a husband died or a wife. Love is love, Casey, uh, Ms. Bennett.”
    “You can call me Casey.” Still Casey thought it was irresponsible of this woman and Julie.  
    “If you keep bouncing her, she’s going to throw up again,” Liz warned as she chopped the tomatoes.
    Casey lifted Skye over her head and looked up. “Nah, Shortround wouldn’t do that twice...” she