Read Stolen for Free Online Page B

anything like this before.”
    “Never sat down to a meal?”
    “Yeah we have had a meal together, but we didn’t speak, we just ate.”
    “Oh dear!”
    “No Christmas meals, no sitting by the fire and opening presents. Everything was just given to us, big fancy affairs, nothing family like.”
    “You mean no family dinners? Turkey? Laughing? Wine?”
    “Never.”
    “Oh Blayden, you must bring her for Christmas. Poor girl has never experienced it.”
    Nessie looks truly hurt by this. Her face scrunches up in shock.
    “Yes mamma.”
    “So what did you do at these fancy affairs?”
    “Fancy people came; they drank, ate, then they left. Mark and I would just sit around waiting for it to end, occasionally I would sing and play the piano but only when mum felt like showing me off.”
    “Mark?”
    “My brother.”
    “Oh, wonderful. So you sing?”
    “Oh no,” I say quickly. “Not really.”
    “But you just said you did.” She smiles wryly. Damn woman is sharp.
    “I did, didn’t I?”
    “Yes, we have a piano. Would you sing for us?”
    “I don’t know…” I hesitate.
    “Come on love.” Bill encourages.
    “Only one song?”
    “One, just one? Oh alright.” Nessie agrees.
    “Okay, after dinner.”
    After dinner has finished, I help Nessie clear the plates.
    “Love you don’t have to do this.”
    “It’s okay Nessie, I really don’t mind.”
    “You’re an angel , truly.”
    “So are you.”
    She smiles and strokes my face, what is it that she likes so much about me? If she knew of my past, she would turn away in repulsion. I cringe and whack on a fake smile.
    “Alright, it’s time for that song. You can’t get away with it.” She laughs, dragging me into the lounge where the men are having a drink.
    “Boys, pay attention. She is going to sing . ” Nessie cries, clapping her hands.
    I sit down at the piano and being slowly playing it. I sing lightly, but loud enough for everyone to hear.
    “ Every night in my dreams, I see you , I feel you…that is how I know you , go on…”
    When I have finished I look up, and everyone is silent. Blade is staring at me; I can’t describe the look on his face. Bill and Jock have their mouths open, and Nessie is crying.
    “Oh my dear lord in heaven, not only do you look like an angel , but you sing like one.” She cries rushing over and hugging me.
    “Thanks.” I blush.
    “That was amazing!” Jock compliments, much to my surprise.
    “Thanks.”
    “Wow.” Blade finally breathes.
    I smile and join Bill on the couch. He begins asking me questions about myself, and I spend a good hour chatting to him. In that time, Blade and Nessie get up and go into the kitchen. When Bill excuses himself, I go to join the two when I hear them talking. I stop and listen, curious.
    “Blade, she is beautiful.”
    “I know mamma.”
    “Like a God dess , with that gorgeous blonde hair and brown eyes. She is so stunning.”
    “You are telling me.” He whispers.
    “Why aren’t you with her?”
    “She is only eighteen.”
    “So?”
    “There is just a lot to it, it’s not that easy.”
    “Do you like her son, I see how you stare at her?”
    “I do mamma, I have tried hard not to but I do.”
    “Why try not to? There is something you haven’t told me?”
    “No mamma, I just want to take it slow is all.”
    “And you can but tell her how you feel, girls like that are hard to find. There is something about her; she truly is an angel .”
    “I know, believe me I know. She is tough too, tough as they come.”
    “You don’t need to push tough, you need to push love. Tough is only good when it is needed.”
    “Are you doing okay mamma?” His tone grows soft.
    “I am getting there.”
    “How long do you have without treatment?”
    “That’s not for you to worry about . Let’s just work on what we have right now, I want my boy’s to be happy. Please take this chance you have with her.”
    “I wish it were so easy.”
    “Life can be as easy or as hard as