Fern Michaels - Cross Roads (The Sisterhood) #18

Sins of the Flesh

Sins of Omission

Return to Sender

Mr. and Miss Anonymous

Up Close and Personal

Fool Me Once

Picture Perfect

About Face

The Future Scrolls

Kentucky Sunrise

Kentucky Heat

Kentucky Rich

Plain Jane

Charming Lily

What You Wish For

The Guest List

Listen to Your Heart

Celebration

Yesterday

Finders Keepers

Annies Rainbow

Saras Song

Vegas Sunrise

Vegas Heat

Vegas Rich

Whitefire

Wish List

Dear Emily

The Godmothers Series:

Exclusive

The Scoop

The Sisterhood Novels:

Dj Vu

Cross Roads

Game Over

Deadly Deals

Vanishing Act

Razor Sharp

Under the Radar

Final Justice

Collateral Damage

Fast Track

Hokus Pokus

Hide and Seek

Free Fall

Lethal Justice

Sweet Revenge

The Jury

Vendetta

Payback

Weekend Warriors

Anthologies:

Holiday Magic

Snow Angels

Silver Bells

Comfort and Joy

Sugar and Spice

Let It Snow

A Gift of Joy

Five Golden Rings

Deck the Halls

Jingle All the Way

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KENSINGTON PUBLISHING CORP.

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For my friends, Bob and Sara Schwager

E ven though every light in the old farmhouse was on, it did nothing to dispel the gloom that seemed to shroud the house and its two occupants. Fragrant peach candles flickered on the dinner table, the crystal sparkled, and the delectable meal on fragile bone china sat basically untouched. Outside, a summer rain pounded on the roof and battered the ancient smoky windows.

Myra, we need to talk, Charles said quietly.

Hmmm, yes, I suppose we do. What would you like to talk about, Charles? Its raining outside. I always hated thunder, but I hate lightning even more. But then, you already know that, so theres no point in discussing it. Dinner is wonderful.

How would you know? You havent touched a thing on your plate. Close your eyes, Myra, and tell me whats on your plate.

Roast beef, Myra snapped irritably.

Wrong! Its pork tenderloin. Youve always loved pork tenderloin.

I used to love a lot of things, Charles. Im sorry. We should just have had sandwiches and soup, or even just the soup.

You wouldnt have eaten that, either, Charles snapped in return.

What do you want me to say, Charles? Im not trying to be difficult, its just thatI miss my family. You know what else, Charles? Im sorry we got those pardons. I was happy on the mountain with the girls. I cry every time I think of them. I would give anything to have yesterday back.

Thats rather cavalier of you, Myra. The girls wanted their old lives back. They didnt want that outlaw life anymore. They wanted to get married and have families. Surely you cant fault them for that.

Of course I dont fault them for wanting their old lives back. I was speaking for myself. Its been a year and a half, Charles! Do not, I repeat, do not tell me to get a hobby. I do not want a hobby.

I never thought of knitting as a hobby, old girl. Id love a hand-knitted sweater.

Then go to town and buy one! I am too old to learn to knit, and I have arthritis in my fingers. Why are you deviling me like this? Why cant you just let me be miserable?

Because I love you, thats why. Youre starting to act the same way you did when Barbara died, and youre scaring me. I cant go through that again, Myra, I just cant.

Oh, Charles, no, that isnt going to happen. Ill get a handle on it, just give me some time. Just a little more time.

Myra, a year and a half is a lot of time. We need to make some decisions here. We need to join the living, to get on with our lives. We cant keep marking time like this.

No one needs me these days, Charles. Not even you. Somehow, you manage to keep busy helping the boys with Global Securities. There are just too many hours in the day to fill. I now know how Annie felt. Theres nothing worse than not being needed.

Those old, supposedly dear friends of mine from my other life have cut us dead. Nellie spends almost all day in therapy for her two hip replacements, and even when shes home, shes too tired to do anything but sleep. Pearl is out there somewhere doing her thing with the underground railroad. I volunteered my services, and she said that if she needed me, shed call. Well, guess what, Charles, she hasnt called once. I dont want to be a pest where Lizzie and her new baby are concerned. She and Cosmo are so happy, they dont need me fussing around them even though they said their door is always open to us.

I love it that Lizzie is just doing consulting work these days, and Cosmo is just on call in case some emergency crops up. Theyre such wonderful parents to Little Jack.

Speaking of Little Jack, tell me again why we didnt go to Lizzies baby shower at the White House?

Because it would have stirred things up, and I didnt want to ruin Lizzies day. And its the same reason we didnt go to Little Jacks christening. Isnt it wonderful how Lizzie and Cosmo donated all the gifts to Babies Hospital and to families who need all that baby gear? Theyve set up so many foundations for baby care, I cant count them anymore. I cant wait for them to come back to town. Just a few weeks, and well get to see Little Jack again.

Youre done with dinner, right? Myra nodded. Get your slicker. I have something I want you to see. If you dont come with me, Im going to pick you up and carry you. Move it, old girl!

Grumbling, Myra followed Charles out to the mudroom and donned her slicker and Wellingtons. She held his hand as they made their way to the barn. Inside, light blazed. The horses whickered softly at the intrusion. Somewhere deep in the barn, a dog growled. Be quiet, dont make any fast moves or loud noises. Just stay with me.

Its just me, Charles, Little Lady. Im coming in. Remember what I said, Myra. Look!

Myra looked down into a mountain of straw where a warm blanket had been spread. I dont know what her name is or even how she got here, but here she is with her newborn pups. I found them this morning. I call her Little Ladynot that shes little, because she isnt.

Ooooh, Charles! Myra dropped to her knees in front of a magnificent golden retriever, who eyed her warily. She made no move to touch the mother or her pups. Did you feed her, Charles?

I did, and she gobbled it all down. Id like to bring her and the pups into the house if you dont mind. You know, just to keep an eye on her. I already called a vet, and he came out earlier this afternoon. Aside from being undernourished, Little Lady is fine. He gave me some nutrients and vitamins to give her. Like I said, it will be a lot easier to take care of them in the house.

Of course it will, but you said we cant touch them. How will we get them into the house? Will Little Lady allow us to pick them up?

I dont know. I think thats up to you, Myra. She trusts me, but she doesnt know you yet. You have to make friends. Talk to her, see if shell let you pet her. Touch is very important, so be gentle.

Its so damp in here, Charles. That cant be good for the puppies. Find the wagon, the one we use to wheel in firewood. If you lift Lady and put her and the pups in it, we can cover them with a tarp and scoot right back to the house. We can build a fire in the living room even if it is July and make a bed for all of them. Thats a good idea, isnt it, Charles?

Charles beamed. Splendid idea, old girl. Now why didnt I think of that?