March - Love on the Menu

Fanny Press

PO Box 70515

Seattle, WA 98127

For more information go to:www.fannypress.com

ellenmarch.jimdo.com

All rights reserved. No part of this book maybe reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means,electronic or mechanical, including photocopying, recording, or anyinformation storage and retrieval system, without permission inwriting from the publisher.

This is a work of fiction. Names, characters,places, brands, media, and incidents are either the product of theauthors imagination or are used fictitiously.

Cover design by Sabrina Sun

Love on the Menu

Copyright 2015 by Ellen March

ISBN: 978-1-60381-568-0 (TradePaper)

ISBN: 978-1-60381-569-7 (eBook)

Produced in the United States ofAmerica

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M y thanks to the team at the fantastic Fanny Press, inparticular Catherine and Jennifer. Theyre simply the best and Iswear they dont sleep because the work they put in is absolutelyunbelievable. Im truly indebted to you ladies for bringing Loveon the Menu to life.

Also, many thanksto whoever takes the time to read this story of Jago and Riley. Ihope Ive done South Wales proud and fetched the beauty of the areaalive through my words.

And as always,another big thank you to my rock, Leanne.

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Other Fanny Press books by

Ellen March:

Promises

His Girl Friday

A Ghost of an Affair

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W ill you listen to me? Riley hissedthrough her teeth with growing frustration. Im leaving whetheryou like it or not!

She loved hertwin to bits. But at other times, such as now, he got on hernerves. She wished hed grow up. But then again, she wished for alot of things.

She continued tocram her clothes into the battered holdall. Theyd be creasedcoming out because they were creased going in. Riley didnt dodomesticity, and that included ironing.

Butwhy there? He shook his head in despair. I mean who in theirright mind would want to swap London for the mountains andisolation of Wales?

Rob paced aroundthe small flat they shared. Its the back of beyond, for Godssake. She followed the path of his feet. He probably never evennoticed how threadbare the carpet had become.

Youknow why I need to get away, so stop nagging. A frown creased herbrow, and she rubbed at it. She felt the threading tentacles of aheadache.

Ivegot two choiceseither join a convent or this. She pausedthoughtfully and nibbled her bottom lip. There may be anotheroption, but Im not too sure of that one yet. Avoiding his eyes,she placed a knee across the case and yanked it firmlyclosed.

Well,I think youre overreacting. Rob stared at her mutinous face andknew no amount of persuasion was going to change hermind.

If there was onething Riley excelled in, it was stubbornness. She could givelessons on how to break people down and still not give an inch. Heshould know. Hed been on the receiving end long enough.

She whirledaround, glaring at him, hands on slim hips, her oversized breaststhrust out. So theres nothing wrong with getting dumped by text?Her blue eyes flashed in warning. Do you know how embarrassed Ifelt?

Slowly advancingon her brother, she prodded him with one long, slender finger.Just because hes your friend, you think its okay, doyou?

Idont get why youre so upset. He backed tactfully away. You knowhes knocking Sadie off now?

Heswhat? Riley screeched. It was news to her. I cant believe heprefers that thing over me! Well, theyre welcome toeach other. Im just glad Ill be out of here. She grabbed hercase without appreciating how heavy it was and dropped it to thefloor with a loud thud. She groaned in frustration, realizing shedneed to pack another.

Great, but how am I going to manage paying therent?

At last,the real reason for his concern.

Riley ran a handthrough her short, spiky black hair, and a gust of breath burstout. So thats what this is about? It all comes down to you. Shewondered why she continued looking out for him.

But she knew theanswer. Since their parents had left them, shed had no choice.Well, their mother hadnt had a choice. Death had a way of sneakingup and taking some souls too young. Her father was the one whodleft, going after his own young soul. Only this soul was alive, andhed convinced her to become his second wife, one who had nointerest in his first family.

Rob shrugged histhin shoulders and began rolling a cigarette. He kept his headbent, concentrating on the task at hand. He licked the paperexpertly, his index finger tinged yellow from years ofsmoking.

Riley took a deepbreath and shook her head in resignation. Its okay. The rent ispaid up till the end of the month. Ill make the payments direct tothe landlord. She knew if she sent it to Rob hed spend it. Andwhile Im away, how about getting a job? She shifted the localpaper into view. The page was turned to situationsvacant.

What? He turned and stared at her, his eyes glazed over withshock. Me, work?

Yeah,you know, that thing we mere mortals do. Why do you think I turn upevery night at the lap dancing club? Just for the fun of it orwhat? She kept her voice level, determined not to start anotherargument.

Riley despisedhis weakness, and hers, for not leaving him to fend forhimself.

She hated thegroping and not so subtle innuendo that went alongside her job. Theonly plus side was the hours. Riley didnt do mornings. And so farin her short life the most passionate affair shed had was with herduvet.

Nothing I fancy doing really. Conveniently ignoring herquestion, Rob hung his head. His foot circled the ground in aconstant rotating action; he was deliberately not looking up ather. Lying was easier when you didnt make eye contact.

Hed discoveredthat at a young age.

WellI suggest you change your tune. I said Id pay the rent for theflat, nothing more.

He was her twinin every way except personality.

Ifyou want to eat, if you want to smoke, if you want electric in fact, if you want anything else, I suggest you get a job. Hernose wrinkled in disgust at the stale smell of tobacco thatconstantly permeated the stagnant air.

Isuppose Ill have to if you put it like that, he admitted,abruptly backtracking. And in his usual mercurial fashion, changedthe subject. Do you want a hand?

Rileys mouthhung open in astonishment. Thoughtfulness and Rob simply didnt gotogether. But she wasnt about to reject this rare show ofgenerosity. Well, you could throw my handbags and shoes into myholdall while I take this out.

She noticed hedidnt offer to take the heavier case.

Noworries. Rob watched her small frame struggle with the holdall asshe hefted it out the door. Certain that shed be a while luggingthe case, he quickly rummaged around for the box. Placing itscontents at the base, he laid a piece of hastily folded cardboardon top. He pulled the bag shut at the same time Riley staggeredback in the room. Her face glowed red and her breathing waslaboured.

Thinkthats everything. A wave of relief washed over him and hesuppressed a grin. He was pleased at how safe the contents of thebox would beaway from the house and in a remote area of Wales. Noone would think to look for them there.

He was homefree.

Everything fora reason, he thought with satisfaction. When the time wasright, hed simply visit his sister and relieve her of thepackages.

Riley slammed thedoor shut on her battered Beetle. Winding down the window, she blewher brother a kiss and said, If you need anything, ring me. Justmake sure its not money, though, okay?