Read Online Common Enemy by Sandra Dailey - Free Book Online

and drapes were dark gold satin with tiny red flowers embroidered around the edges. The chairs and bed were accented with red and green satin throw pillows. Candles had been placed in clusters throughout the room. It was a romantic setting for two. Connor stayed in the doorway to watch her reaction.
    “This is magnificent. I don’t feel like it’s mine.”
    “You’re magnificent,” he replied. “This was the hardest room for me to decorate. Nothing seemed to match your beauty. That’s why I saved it for last. I’m glad you like it. It took me so long I didn’t have time to finish. Close your eyes and count to fifty. Then, the inside of the house will be done.”
    As she counted, Connor slid the picture out from under her bed. He hit the nail on the hallway wall twice to place it in the perfect spot, and then returned to tap her shoulder.
    “I’d better get downstairs before my roast burns.” He waited at the bottom of the stairs for a moment to, once again, see her reaction. As she walked out of her room she found the picture of her grandparents, restored, enlarged, and framed. He could tell by her gasp that she loved it.
    A few minutes later, Jordan joined him in the kitchen wiping tears from her eyes. Connor took her into his arms and just held her.
    “What’s wrong Jordan? You’ve hardly said a word since you got home. Now, you’re crying. Did you have a bad day at work or is it something I’ve done? You know I can change anything you don’t like. Just talk to me, sweetheart. I can’t stand to see you cry.”
    She whispered into his chest, “Everything you’ve done has made my life more beautiful. I’m just afraid that it’s going to come crashing down on me. Do you know what today is?”
    “I know. It’s the first of the month. I’ve had it on my mind all day too. We’re not going to borrow trouble though.” He used a finger to tilt her face up to his. “Whatever happens, we’ll face it together. He’ll be back behind bars before you know it. He can’t help it. Until then, I’m going to be watching. Now let’s call Lizzy down and have a nice dinner.”
    He and Jordan were quiet while Lizzy chattered on about her day at Mrs. Rogers’s daycare. They replied when necessary and glanced at each other often. There was no doubt what was on Jordan’s mind. Bobby Ray Butler was a free man.
    “We’ve got plans to make.”
    “What do you mean? What plans?” Jordan inquired.
    “Saturday is Heritage Day. We should do something to celebrate. We need some fun and fireworks. I bet they’ve got some kind of shindig planned in town.”
    “What’s that?” Lizzy asked.
    “It’s like a party or celebration. Wouldn’t you like to go to a party?” he answered.
    Lizzy squealed and bounced in her chair as Jordan’s eyes went wide and her face went white. “I don’t know if that’s a good idea. Do you think it’s safe to go out like that?”
    “Do you plan to stay in the house for the rest of your life? Are you going to give someone that kind of power over you? I’ve done that for years now, and I don’t plan to do it any longer. I would never let anything happen to either of you, not ever.”
    ****
    Bobby Ray wiped the blood off his hands with a rag in the floorboard of the car. He’d have to find a drugstore to get some alcohol. Why wouldn’t the bitch just leave him alone? He’d had to fight like hell to avoid STDs in prison. He sure as hell wasn’t letting that shit-bag give him one on the first day he got out.
    After leaving the state prison, Doris had driven the car down a dirt road into the country.
    “Where the hell are we going? This isn’t the way to Gainesville. I need to get my hands on a car before the end of the day. I don’t have time for side trips.”
    “I’ve got something for you, baby. I know you’ve been waiting a long time.” Doris had stepped out of the car to pull off her sweat-stained tank top. All he could see were ribs sticking out from her tight skin.