Read The Rosaries (Crossroads Series) for Free Online Page A

smiled, and then delivered the real whopper.
    “After I heard of the accident, I called my old friend Tom. He has a gallery in London , England , and said that he would be pleased to display some of your work when you are ready for it. I told him I was going to talk to you about it, and I would call him back this afternoon.”
    Natalie was speechless. She shook her head, hoping to release her vocal cords from the grip of utter surprise, but no sound came out. It took her a moment to process that last sentence. Finally, her voice came back around.
    “ London ? Tom? Aunt Catherine, I didn’t know you knew anyone in the world of art. Wow… Europe?! I would love to exhibit my work there!”
    Catherine smiled, and her eyes slightly glazed in remembrance. “There is quite a bit you don’t know about me, Child. Now go on, and make yourself presentable. We’ll have tea and then I’ll be on my way to call Tom.”
    Natalie went to shower and dress, while Aunt Catherine prepared tea for both of them. By the time she came back to the kitchen, she felt refreshed and hopeful, but more than anything she felt like she had just been united with a relative she never truly met.
     
     
    He sat in the shadows and lit up a cigarette, watching the rings of smoke disperse quickly in the air-conditioned room. He was running out of time – of that he was fairly certain – but he had no earthly clue how to proceed from that moment on.
    Finding the rosary had been an all-devouring obsession since he met Celeste Hudson. He felt that his meeting with Celeste, the prostitute he encountered after she left New Orleans in the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina, was a divine appointment.
    Celeste’s great-aunt, Sister Serene, was the keeper of the rosary, and upon her death she passed the legacy to Celeste, her only living survivor, instead of entrusting it to one of the other nuns. Before her death, Sister Serene instructed Celeste to keep the rosary safe and revealed to her that it was a vital element in the unfolding of a grand prophecy. Celeste didn’t really know if she should believe her aunt’s words, but she loved Aunt Serene like a mother, so she solemnly promised to look out for the rosary. When she mentioned the prophecy to him, he was electrified.
    Unfortunately, Celeste had soon stumbled into the demon of addiction, and had chosen to trade the mystical beads for a handful of cold hard cash. He still remembered her face when she told him about the sale to Hidden Treasures, and the way she tortured herself for betraying Sister Serene’s trust. Tears had streaked her tired and heavily made-up face, giving her the appearance of a sad clown. He almost felt sorry for Celeste that night; sorry enough, in fact, that he held her for a long time, forfeiting the fleeting pleasure he had paid for.
    He was so absorbed in his thoughts that he literally jumped when Tess walked in the room with a cup of steaming coffee. Her platinum hair was pulled into a tight bun, and her deep blue eyes looked darker in the dim light. He watched her as she turned the small lamp on the side table, savored her every move, and swallowed hard when the curve of her breasts rubbed ever so slightly against his shoulder. God, she was beautiful! He thought himself a bit foolish, but he couldn’t help feeling like a school boy when Tess was around, even if flirting with her was equal to playing Russian roulette. His wife and his God would never forgive him.
    “These papers came in for you today. Would you like me to file them?’
    He shook his head. “No, that’s okay. Leave them on my desk and I will take care of them.”
    “Anything else I can do for you before I leave?”
    “Nothing I can think of. Have a great evening.”
    If Tess could read his mind she would know there was plenty she could do for him, but professionally she was done for the night.
    She smiled and headed toward the door. “See you in the morning then. Will you be here?”
    “Of course, why