Read Online Ebony Angel by Deatri King-Bey - Free Book Online Page A

happen to us, Richard?” She brushed her lips over his. “I love you.”
    “I’ve taught you well, Grasshoppa.” He kissed her lightly. “I want you and Crystal to move in.”
    The grits stuck in her throat, causing her to choke. He held her hands above her head and patted her back. “You like how I’ve done the bedroom and kitchen. You can design the rest however you want. Crystal will have her own room.”
    “Are you serious?” she asked breathlessly. “I mean, we just met.” Her heart floated above the clouds, but her mind snapped her back to reality.
    “I follow my instinct, my heart. They haven’t led me wrong yet.” He fed her a spoonful of grits and eggs. “You would have your own master chef. No one makes grits like I do.” He brushed his lips over hers.
    She twisted a few braids around her fingers. “If it were just me, I’d say yes, but I have to think about Crystal. I can’t just uproot her from everything and everyone she knows to move in with a stranger.”
    He stiffened, frowned. “So now I’m a stranger?”
    “To Crystal, yes.”
    He took her plate. “Eggs and grits are horrible cold.” He dumped the remains in the trash and began fixing a fresh breakfast.
    Still thinking about the offer he had made, she watched him chop green peppers, onions and mushrooms. She wanted out of her neighborhood so bad she wanted to scream yes , but she couldn’t use him like that. And then there was Trae. She glanced over her shoulder at the spare bedroom. She didn’t want to lose Richard, but Crystal was her number one priority. She made a deal with the devil to save Crystal, and would give up on true love for her child. She stopped her train of thought. Over the years, she had learned to refocus her anger on the positive. Trae had given her Crystal.
    “Ebony.” He held his hand out to her. “I want to teach you how to make omelets.” He positioned her in front of him and wrapped his arms around her.
    Placing her faith in him to understand, she leaned against his chest.
    “I’ve never had responsibility for anyone but myself. Except for Nonno, I’ve never had anyone to look out for me, then you came into my life.” He kissed the tip of her ear. “You’re right about Crystal. I’ll get this right. Give me time.”
    She turned in his arms. “Can I keep you?”
    “You’re stuck with me now.” The phone rang. “Hold that thought.” He answered, “Hello Nonno…caller ID, and who else would call at five in the morning?”
    Ebony took eggs, cheese and milk from the refrigerator to finish making omelets. Richard told Nonno he had fallen in love with Ebony and planned to get to know Crystal.
    “All done,” she whispered.
    “I’ll speak to you tomorrow…No, she isn’t here. Me, lie? Never…I’m not romantic; I’m Italian…” He laughed and hung up. “Nonno said to tell you good morning, and he still doesn’t think I’m good enough for you.”
    “He’s a mess. Do you have any pictures?”
    “One. Wait a second.” He got a large manila envelope from his room and handed it to her. “I had this enlarged but haven’t had time to find a frame.” He sat at the breakfast bar and pulled up his plate. “This smells delicious. You trying to take my place as master?”
    “Silly.” She opened the envelope and examined the photo. Dumbfounded, she said the second thing that came to her mind. “You two look alike.”
    “Nah, I’m the cute one with the crooked grin.”
    “Why didn’t you tell me your grandfather is mixed?” Nonno’s light-toffee complexion matched Trae’s.
    “He’s Italian. Born and raised in Italy. There are black Italians, you know. My great-grandmother happened to be one of them.” He took another bite of his omelet. “You’re on egg detail from now on.”
    “So this is how you knew your family wouldn’t care about me being black?” She’d raked her mind over that question.
    “My mother wouldn’t like you if you were blonde.” He continued