Read Online Garden of Secrets by Barbara Freethy - Free Book Online

school. Her father lost all their money.”
    “That’s sad.”
    “I know. I tried to feel bad for her.”
    Charlotte grinned at Kara’s unrepentant expression. “Well, at least Becky is out of your life. Pamela is right back in the middle of mine, and now I’m a suspect in her sister’s attack. If I was going to give anyone a hefty shove, it would be Pamela.”
    Kara held up a hand. “Don’t say anything more. I don’t want to be called to testify.”
    “This isn’t a joke.”
    “It feels like one. We all know you, Charlotte. We all love you. Jason won’t go after you. And Joe has the hots for you, so I don’t see him tossing you in jail.” She tilted her head. “Speaking of which, who
did
you run away from last night? I thought it was Andrew, but now I’m wondering.”
    “It was both of them. They arrived within minutes of each other. I couldn’t figure out how to handle the stroke of midnight, so I bolted. It seemed like a good idea at the time,” she added dryly.
    “Really? Because kissing two hot guys doesn’t seem so horrible to me.”
    “They don’t like each other, and it’s always awkward when the three of us are together.” Shetook a breath. “Frankly, I don’t know what I want to do about either one of them. Joe is gorgeous and sexy and a little mysterious, but I’m not sure I want to get involved with someone who’s just out of a marriage. He needs a rebound girl, and I’m not cut out for that. Even if I wasn’t just a rebound, how do you compete with a first wife?”
    Kara’s eyes filled with sympathy. “I understand. You don’t want to be second. And with Andrew, it’s the opposite. He was your first love, but you don’t know if you want to go down that road again.”
    “Exactly.”
    “They’re both good men, and they are both very interested in you. Sounds like you may have a decision to make.”
    “One of many.” Charlotte let out a sigh. “Sometimes I wonder why I’m still in Angel’s Bay. I never intended it to be permanent.”
    “It has to be. I don’t want you to leave.”
    “I can’t live with my mother forever.”
    “So get your own place. You could even get a town house big enough for you, Annie, and the baby if you don’t want to leave them with your mother. You have lots of options. I can help you find a place to live. As for the men in your life—just remember you’re not getting any younger.”
    “Now you sound like my mother.”
    “You don’t want to end up alone and single like Mathilda Robertson and her fourteen cats, three birds, and a pond full of fish,” Kara said pragmatically. “It’s not pretty.”
    “Would you still visit me if I did?”
    “Not a chance. I’m allergic to cats.”
    Charlotte picked up the pillow and tossed it at Kara’s smiling face. “Some friend you are.”
    Kara caught the pillow and threw it back at her. “Just being honest.”
    “Are you ready to see the bride?” Isabella interrupted, peeking out the bathroom door. “Here she is!”
    Lauren stepped into the room in a swirl of white satin and lace. The neckline was off the shoulder, and the dress tapered in at her waist, then fell in a cascade to the ground. Her dark hair and blue eyes were a perfect foil for the beautiful gown.
    “You look amazing,” Charlotte said, feeling her heart catch.
    She’d met Lauren in kindergarten. They’d spent the first few days walking around the playground holding hands. They’d been best friends until high school, when boys and other things had derailed them for a while. But she’d been there when Lauren had suffered the tragic loss of her sister, Abby, when her family had broken up, and when Lauren’s relationship with Shane had ended the first time around. Her friend had been in pieces, her life completely destroyed.
    But that was all in the past now. Abby’s murderer had finally been caught, Lauren and Shane had reunited and were getting married, and her friendship with Lauren was stronger than ever. They’d