Read Online It's Only Make Believe by Roseanne Dowell - Free Book Online Page A

was the reason for Brad’s absence. Brad’s work demanded a lot of his time, and he had to travel, but before they were married, he was never gone this long at one time. She feared the worst, of course, and worried about him being with Ruby. Ruby’s words continued to haunt her, a constant reminder that her marriage wasn’t real.
    She hung up, disheartened. Brad’s phone calls had become less frequent, shorter, and strained. Her hand had hardly set down the receiver and the phone rang again. Still upset with her mother, she answered in a nasty tone.
    “Michele, are you okay?” Her mood lightened at the sound of Brad’s voice.
    “Brad, hi, yes I’m okay, sorry just hung up with my mother.”
    “Oh, okay. Listen, I only have a minute, but I called to let you know it’s going to be a couple more days.”
    What else was new? It was becoming an ongoing pattern. Tears welled in her eyes.
    “We have few more things to iron out.”
    “Okay.” What else could she say? Her heart fell to her feet. Maybe her mother was right. Maybe she was the reason Brad stayed away. Visions of Ruby flashed in her mind. Michele was sure she heard her voice in the background.
    “Okay, gotta run. Later.” Brad broke the connection.
     
     
     
    CHAPTER FOURTEEN
     
     
    Brad hung up and threw Ruby a dirty look for interrupting. Did he hear Michele sigh? Was she disappointed? Maybe he should have told her about the honeymoon he planned. He sat on the bed, disappointed. Michele’s simple okay sounded like it was fine with her if he stayed in San Francisco forever. Sure, why not, she was footloose and fancy free. She could come and go as she pleased and didn’t have to answer to any one, leading the single life. His jaw tightened. She’d better not be leading the single life. They had a deal, and she better be sticking to it. He had promised to remain faithful; she’d better do the same. She thought their marriage was a sham, he’d even thought so himself, so why did it bother him that she was okay with him being gone. Maybe because she acted like she cared on their honeymoon, as if she enjoyed his company.
    “Brad, let’s go, Edgehurst is expecting us.” Ruby’s voice brought him back to the present.
    This is it, Brad decided. “This is our last meeting with Edgehurst. I don’t care what he says I’ve had enough.” He followed Ruby. Edgehurst could pound salt for all he cared. He had a wife he hadn’t seen in over a month, had spent less than a week with. “It’s time to go home.” He caught Ruby’s disappointed look.
     
     
     
    CHAPTER FIFTEEN
     
    Michele went to the O’Neil’s. Work had begun on the kitchen, and Patrick still hadn’t put in an appearance. Despondent over Brad’s last phone call, she found it difficult to concentrate. She threw herself into her work. Jane had chosen pewter blue for the walls. Michele had suggested a stainless steel sink and counters of natural concrete, with slate tile behind the sink and range. The natural gray complemented the stainless steel appliances and created a rich, elegant feel to the kitchen. Jane seemed pleased with the choices and samples. The light fixtures arrived, and she scheduled the electricians for next week. She arranged to return the next day.
    Michele went home tired and still out of sorts from Brad’s phone call. She picked up the mail off the hall table. “Anna, I’m starved, what’s that delicious aroma? Can it be turkey and biscuits?” She went toward the kitchen and caught something in the living room out of the corner of her eye. She backed up and went in. Brad stood in the middle of the room.
    “Brad!” Her heart raced, her stomach flip-flopped, and her pulse quickened at the sight of him. She hadn’t seen his car in the drive. “I didn’t expect you.” What a surprise. She wondered if her face betrayed the delight at his unexpected arrival.
    “Looks like you’ve been busy.” He waved his hand around the room. “I like it.”
    She stood