Read Online Common Enemy by Sandra Dailey - Free Book Online Page B

I plan to be gone by then.” She studied him for a moment. “You look like you’re just passing through. How about taking me with you? I don’t care where you’re going. I just need to grab some clothes from my house, and then I’m ready to run.”
    “When’s your husband going to be home?”
    “In about five hours. That’s plenty of time to sample what he’ll be missing. What do you say?”
    Bobby Ray was surprised to find that her house was one of the best in the area. While the girl packed her suitcase, he perused her husband’s closet. The guy wasn’t too far from his size, just a little wider. A wedding picture on the bedside table showed that he was a heavily muscled black man. Bobby Ray planned to get all he could and be out, before he met the man in person. He filled a large duffle bag with all the clothes and jewelry it would hold. He even found a large box of condoms. They’d come in handy. The girl just laughed when she saw what he was up to.
    “What’s your name sweetheart?” he asked.
    “Juanita, but everybody calls me Nita.” She removed a handgun from the bedside table and placed it in her purse.
    “I think we’re going to be friends, Nita. Take off your clothes.”
    “I’m always more comfortable without my clothes.” Nita pulled her shirt over her head and tossed it on the floor. “What’s your name, honey?”
    “Bobby Ray.”
    “I just want you to know, Bobby Ray.” She inched her shorts down her legs. “You can’t be rough enough for me.”
    ****
    Connor worked for two-and-a-half days painting the exterior of the house. He sprayed the siding a robin egg blue color. The white trim was done by hand. He thought about Jordan as he finished the railing.
    She’d done a remarkable job of making life seem normal, but she still jumped every time the phone rang or anyone knocked on the door. Mr. Coleman and the Douglases were regular visitors now. Connor had confided in Coleman and Charlie about the danger Jordan and Lizzy were in. He figured he could use all the backup he could get to keep them safe. He was so lost in his thoughts that he almost dropped the paintbrush when the screen door slammed beside him.
    “It’s about time to get this mess put away and get cleaned up,” Jordan announced.
    “The sun is still pretty high. I was thinking of putting a fresh coat of paint on those rocking chairs.”
    “You promised us fireworks, mister, and I intend to see fireworks. Hit the shower.”
    “Whatever you say, boss.” He knew better than to argue. He was happy to see a smile on her face again.
    As he carried the blanket and picnic basket to the car, Jordan set the security alarm. Lizzy watched her curiously. “Why do we need the alarm on when we aren’t home?”
    “We want Tom to be safe while he waits for us to get back.”
    Jordan and Connor looked at each other without a word before getting in the car. They didn’t want to let anything darken their holiday.
    ****
    The park was crowded as they looked for a place to spread out the blanket. Jordan felt as though she were in a scene from an old movie. Everyone in town had turned out to play games and share food.
    She noticed that Connor stayed on the blanket under a tree with his hat tilted down. His face was totally hidden by the brim. She had almost forgotten how self-conscious he was about his scars. She filled a plate with the foods she knew were his favorites. As she walked back to the blanket, she saw a woman stop to speak to him. She couldn’t believe the feeling of jealousy that came over her. She forced a smile as she approached.
    “Hey Connor, I leave for a minute to bring you food and you start picking up women. What’s the deal?” Jordan looked at the woman with a forced smile. She was reminded of a modern day Mae West.
    “Jordan, I’m glad you’re back. I want you to meet Joyce Walker. She owns the beauty salon in town. I don’t know how she is with people, but she does a hell of a job on kittens.” Connor