Read Online On Love's Own Terms by Fran Baker - Free Book Online Page A

“I’m going to put a headlock on Dave and drag him onto the dance floor before I founder myself on junk food.” She stood, pulled up the bodice of Bonnie’s sundress and turned in the direction of the pool table. “Besides, I’m sure you two have a lot of catching up to do after all these years.”
    Sueanne lowered herself cautiously into the vacated chair, sighing when she was comfortably situated. “I always resemble a beached whale beginning about my seventh month.”
    “Nonsense,” Bonnie refuted in a wistful tone. “You look terrific.” The pain of her own long-ago loss wrenched her heart, yet she felt a vicarious joy in her friend’s obvious sense of well-being. “How many will this make?”
    “Four. Our oldest starts preschool this fall, and the youngest has been toddling since Christmas.” She winced and pressed a hand to her swollen side. “Judging from their prenatal activities, these two will be born wearing track shoes.”
    When the waitress stopped again, Bonnie shook her head, refusing a second beer, and Sueanne ordered a glass of water with a twist of lime. Mercifully, someone lowered the volume on the jukebox and the women were able to talk quietly.
    “Life as a northerner sounds hectic,” Sueanne remarked. “It must make Rebel’s Ridge seem awfully dull.”
    “Not really.” The words were out before Bonnie realized it She shrugged. “I’ve met lots of famous people through my catering service, which is fun if their egos aren’t overinflated. And while New York presents incomparable cultural opportunities, the quality of life here is much better—at least in my opinion.”
    “Give me a for instance,” Sueanne prompted.
    “Okay. There’s no feeling of space in New York—no breathing room, so to speak. I have to live in the city because of my business. And when I look out my windows, instead of trees or fields of clover all I see is other buildings.” Bonnie wrinkled her nose. “In a lot of corny ways, I suppose I’m still a country girl at heart.”
    “There’s nothing wrong with that.” Sueanne smiled expectantly. “Are you seeing anyone special?”
    “I date.” Bonnie didn’t expand on her answer. If she admitted that no other man she’d met could hold a candle to Luke, she’d sound like the original lovesick fool. She changed the subject before Sueanne could pursue it. “How’s Tom?”
    “Now that he’s adjusted to the idea he’ll be supporting enough people to start his own basketball team, he’s fine.” Her expression pensive, Sueanne tucked an auburn strand of hair behind her ear. “He works for Luke.”
    “So I’ve heard.” Bonnie waved to Darlene, who’d succeeded in luring Dave away from the pool table and onto the dance floor.
    An awkward silence punctuated their conversation. In years past, Bonnie would have poured out her heart to Sueanne. But Sueanne’s marriage to one of Luke’s employees effectively precluded such a personal discussion. It wouldn’t be fair to impose on her friend’s loyalties. If push came to shove, it was only natural that she’d consider her family’s welfare first.
    “Luke is a good man.” Sueanne’s uncanny intuition proved sharper than ever. She leaned forward as far as her protruding abdomen would permit. “And I’m not saying that just because he’s Tom’s boss, either.”
    “I know.” Bonnie sighed distractedly. “This would all be so much easier if he’d only had the decency to grow fat and bald while I was gone.”
    “Now who’s spouting nonsense?” Sueanne chided softly. “I’ll agree Luke is a handsome devil—virtually a walking magnet where women are concerned. But that’s not the reason you fell head-over-heels for him, and I seriously doubt that’s why you’re in such a quandary now.”
    “I am confused,” Bonnie said. “But as desperately as I might need a sounding board, I wouldn’t dream of jeopardizing Tom’s job or throwing a monkey wrench into your