Read Baltimore [3.5] Broken Silence for Free Online

It’s out of her way.’
    ‘Daphne, stop saying “but.” Hush and let other people take care of you for a change.’
    ‘Yes, sir.’ She settled against him. ‘I like this part, too. Talking about our day. It’s nice.’
    ‘We should do it every night,’ he said. ‘Forever.’ The word had slipped from his mouth before he knew he was going to say it, but he wasn’t sorry.
    ‘Okay,’ she murmured sleepily. ‘You gonna marry me, Carter, or what?’
    He laughed. ‘Yeah. I’m going to marry you.’
    ‘Good,’ she said. ‘Just wanted to make sure. I love you, you know.’
    ‘I know. And it’s lucky you do, because I love you, too. Now go to sleep.’
    Tuesday, December 24, 9:55 A.M.
    Daphne stood outside the barn, trying get focused for Angel’s visit, but she was bubbling inside. She stole a glance at her finger, still half stunned. She’d almost thought she’d dreamed the conversation with Joseph. Until she’d woken to find a cup of coffee on her nightstand and the ring on her finger. Joseph had gone to work, but he’d left a note that explained all.
    ‘I see you looking at that rock.’ Maggie came to stand beside her. ‘Don’t look too closely. You’ll poke your eye out.’
    ‘It was his grandmother’s. He left early to get it from the family safe.’
    ‘I’d ask if you were sure, but I can see that you are,’ Maggie said, sliding her arm around Daphne’s shoulders. ‘I don’t need to ask if you’re happy. You’re beaming brighter than a star.’
    ‘I am happy, but I have to stop beaming. I don’t want to be so bouncy that I frighten Angel.’
    ‘Don’t worry. When she gets here, you’ll calm down.’
    Maggie was right. Daphne’s mind stilled when the car arrived carrying two federal agents, Heidi Breckenridge, and little Angel. Joseph drove up behind them in his big black Escalade.
    Angel sat in the backseat with her head down. When Daphne helped her from the car, she shuffled, her eyes on her feet.
    Daphne lifted Angel’s chin. ‘Do you want to see my pony?’
    Daphne offered her hand and after staring at it for a long minute, Angel slipped her little hand into it. And looked at her feet again. ‘This is Miss Maggie. She takes care of the ponies. She’s coming with us, if that’s okay.’ Angel didn’t reply. Daphne gave Maggie a helpless shrug.
    ‘It’s okay,’ Maggie said. ‘You were the same way. She’ll talk when she’s ready.’
    ‘I know.’ Daphne caught Joseph watching her and gave him a finger wave, making the diamond flash. ‘Thank you,’ she said, making him grin. ‘We’ll be back when Angel’s done.’
    She led Angel into the barn, followed by Maggie and Heidi. Joseph and the two FBI agents remained outside, guarding them.
    ‘Oh, it’s nice and warm,’ Heidi said when Maggie shut the door behind them.
    ‘I always say I’d like to come back as one of Daphne’s horses in my next life,’ Maggie said with a chuckle. ‘They live well.’ She led the pony from the stall to where Angel stood.
    Daphne scratched the pony behind the ears. ‘Her name is Sissy.’
    Angel’s chin jerked up, her eyes wide. Terrified. Again she wore that look of desperation, as if she wanted so badly to speak.
    ‘I wonder if Angel’s name is really Sissy,’ Daphne murmured, then crouched down to see the little girl’s face. ‘I name all my horses after movie stars who won the golden statue for being the best. I’ve got a Gracie, an Ingrid, and a Claudette. They’re all horses. Sissy is our only pony.’
    Maggie got two brushes, gave one to Angel, and began brushing the pony with the other.
    ‘You can pet her,’ Daphne said. ‘Sissy won’t bite. Or you can brush her.’ She took Angel’s hand in hers and showed her how to hold the brush so that it didn’t hurt her bandaged hands. ‘You can tell Sissy anything you want and she won’t say a word.’
    Daphne took her hand away and held her breath. Angel’s hand stilled, then slowly she began to brush. Moments