Read Online Relatively Rainey by R. E. Bradshaw - Free Book Online Page A

Rainey, accompanied by her girlfriend, Leslie. Leslie had become Katie’s closest friend. The four of them spent many social evenings together.
    “Is your babysitter spending the night?” Molly asked.
    “Yes,” Rainey answered. “Why?”
    “Because if the way you’re looking at your wife is an indication of your intentions, you two are going to need some alone time.”
    Katie arrived and stood on her tiptoes to give Rainey a quick kiss on the lips. “Hey, good lookin’. How’d I do?”
    “You were perfect,” Rainey said, beaming back at her.
    Molly and Leslie gave Katie hugs and congratulations on the event’s success. Wendy joined them. She she was twenty-four years old and the mirror image of her older sister at that age. Wendy’s evening gown was exquisite, matching the green of her eyes. The dress was the direct result of a shopping spree with Leslie and Katie, who were determined to dress Wendy properly because Rainey was a lost cause.
    “Katie, that was a great speech and you look fantastic,” Wendy said, hugging her. She waved over Katie’s shoulder at Rainey. “Hi, sis.”
    Rainey waved her fingers back at Wendy, realizing she was mimicking behavior she used with her kids. Life changed for her every day, even as some things remained the same. Rainey didn’t want to think about nightmares and past mistakes tonight. Katie was dazzling, the night out with good friends was just beginning, and they had a babysitter. Life was good at the moment.
    As Wendy introduced her date, Rainey noticed Molly glaring at him. The date was a casual one. Two young professionals attending an event, Wendy explained earlier. With no steady boyfriend, she was focused on her career, as Rainey had been once.
    “Rainey, Katie, I’d like to introduce you to Nick Prentiss. Nick, this is my sister, Rainey Bell-Meyers and her wife, Katie Bell-Meyers.”
    Rainey and Katie shook Nick’s hand and exchanged greetings. He was starkly handsome. His dark hair and tanned skin contrasted with his hazel eyes and playfully pouty pink lips. His tuxedo was not a rental, but a tailored fit worthy of his model good looks. He was also charming.
    “I can see the family resemblance,” Nick said. “It’s a compliment to both you and Wendy.”
    Rainey took note that Molly still glared at Nick. She wanted to know what was up, so she sped things along.
    “Nick, these are our friends, Molly Kincaid and Leslie Walker.”
    Leslie stuck her hand out first and said, “It’s nice to meet you, Nick.”
    Molly never lifted a finger. Instead, she said, “Sleeping with the enemy, Wendy? Hello, Nick. Aren’t you just a little too Fox News for this crowd?”
    Rainey grinned. She loved to watch Molly take somebody on, even if it was her sister’s date. Molly was usually the last one to show her colors. She must have had an intense dislike for this young man. It was sure to be entertaining.
    Nick came back with, “Ms. Kincaid, you’ll find I’m a man of many passions. It’s good to see you again.”
    “Your passions are for sale, I take it,” Molly quipped.
    “Of course,” Nick answered honestly. “A good lobbyist can be passionate about anything if the price is right. I’m paid to sway people to my clients' position, much like you make a living swaying juries on your clients' behalf. It’s not my fault the system is broken. I’m merely making money until they fix it. It isn’t any more of a crime than representing a murderer in court.”
    “At least if one of my clients claims God made him do it, I can plead insanity,” Molly countered.
    Everyone in the social circle had been following the conversation like a tennis match. So far, the score was fairly even. However, Rainey counted on Molly to have the last word.
    Undaunted, Nick said, “It’s politics. It’s not personal.” He offered his hand to Molly again. “Truce.”
    “Oh, but it is personal, Nick. If I recall, and I do recall quite clearly, you were on the front lines