Read Without Faith for Free Online

this couple the same question? They looked at each other, and I knew immediately that whatever was coming next would be a lie.
    â€œAs we told you”—Brayden leaned forward as he spoke—“we’re getting married in a matter of weeks. After years of both of us searching for true love with the wrong people, we both know that we’ve finally found it. In each other.” Jenellis had been stroking her slender fingers on his forearm. She paused momentarily, but if Brayden noticed, it did not stop him from continuing. “When we marry, we are determined to become ‘one’ in the full sense of the word as it’s used in the Bible.”
    â€œYou have a church background?” Maybe I should not have asked that question out loud, but I could not hide my surprise at the biblical reference. Something about Brayden and Jenellis did not scream “holy union” to me.
    â€œSomething like that.” Jenellis chuckled. Brayden did not look humored.
    â€œAnyway,” he continued, “in our quest to become one, we’ve hit some, let’s say, bumps in the road from both of our pasts that’s threatening to destroy our oneness before we even get to the altar.”
    â€œOld flames have a way of reappearing at the most inopportune times.” I nodded.
    â€œNo, Ms. St. James.” Brayden shook his head. “I’m not talking about old relationships. I’m talking business. Dollars and cents. We’re having a hard time merging our money and because we know that disagreements over finances are a major marriage killer, we want to address this now.”
    â€œIt’s not so much money that’s the issue,” I interjected, “it’s usually communication that’s the underlying problem. If you don’t know how to really communicate with each other, that deficiency comes out when it’s time to deal with hot-button issues like money, and sex, and the other usual culprits named as marriage enders. Not knowing how to effectively communicate expectations and desires is usually at the core of all these matters.”
    â€œWell, that’s just it. Jenellis won’t tell me where she got all her millions from.”
    â€œAnd he”—Jenellis’s words were pointed—“won’t tell me where he got his.”
    Millions. The word was not lost on me. Focus, Sienna, focus.
    â€œOkay.” I nodded. “Before we get to the communication piece, let’s look at the foundation on which effective communication is built. Trust. What’s keeping both of you from openly disclosing parts of your lives to each other? Is it fear of being judged or rejected, betrayed or used? Can you trust each other with your secrets?” I held my breath, knowing that my final question was a loaded one on many levels and for different reasons for both of them.
    â€œMs. St. James”—Brayden leaned forward even more—“can I ask you a question?”
    Before I could think of a reasonable response to his query, he continued. “What does money mean to you?”
    â€œWhat I feel and think about money is not the issue.” I was not going to be shot down that easily. “I’m here to help the two of you figure it out between yourselves.”
    â€œBut what you think does matter to me. Jenellis is certain that you are the person we should be talking to, but I’ll be honest. I’m not convinced. I need to know how you feel about money. The fact that you were practically panting when I showed you a handful of twenties a few moments ago tells me something, but not everything. Tell me.” His voice was barely above a whisper as he leaned even closer to me. “What does money mean to you? Fear? Trust? Those were your words.”
    â€œOkay.” I took the wad of bills from out of my work bag. Their brand of trouble was not worth it. “I apologize, but I’m not going to be able to work with the