Read Winds of Heaven for Free Online Page B

Mexico. Oh well, she thought and walked out of the bedroom, stealing one last glance at Skye as she slept.
    “I’m out here,” Casey called out.
    Liz noticed Casey had made some iced tea. “I thought we’d sit outside. It’s a little cooler.”
    “Thank you.”
    They sat on the deck, not saying much. Finally, Liz glanced at Casey, who was staring out at the lake. “I-I do appreciate your helping us. It’s just that, well, we didn’t—”
    “Ms. Kennedy, I knew Julie, so you don’t have to explain.”
    Liz heard the sarcasm in her voice and bristled. “Just what does that mean?”
    Casey searched Liz’s face; her gaze traveled down her body. Again, Liz felt a wave of indignance sweep through her as Casey shrugged. “Nothing, just that I knew Julie for four years.”
    “Look. I know you and Julie had a relationship before me. I’m well aware of it. However, Ms. Bennett, if this arrangement is going to work, I think it best we leave the past exactly where it belongs.” Liz set her glass down. “In the past.”
    “I couldn’t agree more, Ms. Kennedy. I agreed to help you and your family until the baby is born and—”
    “If you think for one minute this is easy for me or that I want to be in this situation, you are mistaken.”
    Casey took a deep breath and let it out slowly. “I don’t want to get into an argument with you, especially in your condition. Let’s skip it, shall we?” She took a long drink and turned toward the lake.
    “A very good idea.” Liz damned the tears that rose in her throat. Her hormones were all over the place, something she hated. When she realized the tears were about to overtake her, she abruptly turned and stumbled over the rocking chair.
    Casey was at her side. “Are you okay?”
    Liz felt her strong hand under her forearm to steady her. “I’m fine,” she said, wiping the tears off her cheek.
    “Did you hurt yourself?”
    “No, I did not hurt myself.” Liz wrenched her arm away. The last thing she wanted was to lose control in front of this woman.
    “Okay, okay.” Casey stepped back awkwardly.
    “I think I’ll go lie down with Skye. I’m rather tired,” Liz said, sounding every bit of it.
    “F-fine. Okay.”
    Liz looked up and saw the confused posture. “I’m sorry, it’s a hormone thing.”
    Casey smiled weakly. “Look. Why don’t you go in and take a nap? Later I’ll, well, I don’t know what I’ve got in there for dinner,” she said and stood. “I don’t usually cook for myself.”
    Liz nodded and started for the screen door. Casey reached in and opened it; for a moment, they stood close, then Casey quickly stepped back, looking at her stomach.
    “Don’t worry, Ms. Bennett, I’m not going to explode,” she said and walked in. “Yet,” she threatened over her shoulder.

    Liz lay on the bed next to Skye and listened to the sound of the piano coming from the living room. She is good, Liz thought, then snorted. Go figure; she’s a smirking, arrogant playgirl who plays a beautiful piano.She listened and fell sound asleep, feeling safe and content for the first time in years.
    She woke with a start, and for an instant, she was disoriented. Skye was still fast asleep on her stomach. Gaining her bearings, she remembered where she was and why she was here. As she lay in bed, Liz took in the surroundings of Casey Bennett’s bedroom. The clock on the mantel looked like an antique; she doubted if Casey was an antique collector.
    She did notice how the fireplace gave the room a rustic, romantic feel. Romantic, she thought with a smirk. I will just bet she has a steady stream of women in and out of this bedroom. She carefully slipped Skye off her stomach and covered her with the light quilt, then eased off the bed and crept out of the room.
    Casey was sitting at the piano, a pencil behind her ear as she plunked out a few chords.
    “Hi,” Liz said.
    Casey growled and waved.
    “Good grief,” Liz mumbled and walked into the kitchen; she was