Read Online Monday's Child by Clare Revell - Free Book Online Page B

talk?”
    “No.”
    “I’ve got the computer set up. Want to try out some of the games while I make lunch?”
    “Not really.” Sara put the photo down and sighed. “All right, I’ll come down.”
    Luke glanced at the picture. “Is that Jamie?”
    “Yeah, it was taken after we got engaged.”
    “He looks happy.”
    “We both were.”
    Sara followed Luke downstairs and headed into the dining room. Sitting at the computer, it wasn’t long before she worked out the Internet settings, even though there was no shortcut to it on the desktop. She hit the connect button and was surprised when it started dialing.
    Luke stuck his head around the door and glanced at the screen. “What are you doing? The Internet is off limits.”
    “Why? There are a couple of sites I used to use. I haven’t chatted with my online friends in a long time.”
    “I need the Internet for work, or we wouldn’t even have it. I’ll check out the sites you want to use. If they’re safe, you can use them.”
    “Thank you,” she said stiffly, wondering when her prison sentence would end.
    “You’re welcome. Lunch is ready.”
    She followed him to the kitchen. At least he hadn’t said no outright, although he probably would.
    The sooner this was over, the better.
     
    ****
     
    After lunch, they spent the afternoon on the Internet.
    Sara sat there as Luke checked the sites she wanted to use.
    “All right, you can have limited access on the condition you send no e-mail, IM’s, or visit chat rooms.”
    “Half the fun is the chatting and emails, but I guess you do have a point.” Sara crossed to the window and pulled the curtains. It was barely three thirty, but it was already dark. She turned back to Luke. “I’ll go make a start on dinner.”
    “All right. I’ll work here for a bit. Shout if you need me.” He pulled the USB from his shirt pocket and stuck it into the computer.
    “Sure.” Sara went into the kitchen. She put the lights on and pulled the curtains. Opening the drawer, she took out the knife and pulled some veggies from the cupboard. The phone rang, but before she could get there, it stopped. She started dicing the carrots into tiny pieces with hard deliberate movements.
    Luke came into the kitchen. “That was Doctor Scott. Your appointment is eleven-fifteen on Monday. Your sonogram—scan is December fifth at ten.”
    “All right.” The knife came down hard, and pieces of carrot flew to the floor.
    He bent down and picked them up, tossing them into the bin. “What’s the carrot ever done to you?”
    “Didn’t like the way it looked at me.”
    “Fair enough, so long as you don’t do that to me if I look at you the same way. I’ll take you to the clinic and go in with you.”
    “The doting husband?” Sara chopped hard, missing her fingers by a fraction.
    Luke grasped her hand, stopping her before she could hurt herself or dice the carrots into oblivion. “Sara, neither of us wants this. You should be with Jamie, having this baby with him. Not stuck here on your own with me.”
    His touch burned into her hand. Sara pulled her hand away, ignoring him, and resumed chopping the carrots.
    Luke sighed and changed the subject. “Do you go to church?”
    No one had allowed her to go for months, now. Was he asking because he’d actually take her? “Yes—when I’m allowed to. I miss it, miss the fellowship. Worshipping at home alone just isn’t the same. Why?”
    “I know what you mean. I’ve been a Christian for years, never missed a Sunday unless I was rostered on duty.”
    “What denomination?” She chopped harder, her shoulders shaking, tears streaking down her cheeks.
    “Baptist. You?” He turned her towards him. “Sara?”
    “Baptist.”
    “What’s wrong?”
    Sara turned away and put down the knife. She covered her face with her hands. “Jamie wanted kids. This is just so unfair.”
    Luke held her gently. “You can tell the baby all about Jamie. Make a memory book, a collection of photos, stories