Read Online Retribution by Regina Smeltzer - Free Book Online Page A

her brush into the suitcase, closed the zipper, and grabbed her checkbook. Standing tall, she took one last look around the room that had been home for twelve hours. It would have been the perfect place to start a new life. God, if You’re still listening to me, help me through this day.
    Clenching her jaw, she descended the stairs.
    Guided by voices, she stood at the kitchen door.
    The morning sun streamed through the large window, filling the kitchen with light. To the left, Ted and Bill sat on opposite sides of an oak harvest table, while Trina worked across the kitchen at the counter, her back to the men. Plates were stacked in the middle of the table, glasses and juice on the near end, and a basket with silverware and napkins on the other. Bill and Ted clutched mugs in their hands.
    The scent of eggs and sausage taunted Lillian’s empty stomach.
    “Dad, it’s chicken salad today for your lunch,” Trina said. “Hope that’s OK.”
    “Sounds great, honey.”
    Digging for her determined spirit, that legendary streak of stubbornness that she could always count on during hard situations, Lillian found only an empty hole. Here she was, in the south, starting her new life, and already giving up after the first uncomfortable situation.
    When Trina turned and locked gazes with her, she tightened her spine, ready for whatever came next. Would the woman offer a piece of her mind on a breakfast platter? Or maybe her style was more the famed southern hospitality, and she would stoically perform her duties as hostess.
    Sweat dampened Lillian’s underarms. Be polite .
    Trina’s face broke into a smile “Lillian, I didn’t hear you come down. Come. Join us, unless you would rather eat in the dining room. Since you’re alone, I thought maybe you would prefer company.”
    Definitely southern hospitality.
    Ted pulled out the chair at the end of the table. His smile was welcoming, not like the daggers she had expected.
    What kind of people let one insult them at night, and then shared their food the next morning? Maybe her hostess had mixed arsenic in the muffins…or some of those chocolate laxative wafers. She had heard of a person doctoring a birthday cake, and all the guests ended up with diarrhea.
    Three pair of eyes stared at her.
    “I’ll just grab something in town.”
    “Nonsense.” Trina put her hands on her hips. “You’re paying for a bed and a breakfast, so have a seat.” A huge grin followed the command.
    Hesitantly, Lillian walked toward the chair Ted had pulled out. Even though all her instincts told her to leave, she sat. Whatever the agenda, at least she wasn’t being greeted with the flat side of a frying pan. But anything with chocolate, no matter how good it looked, was off-limits.
    Icy fingers went up her back as Bill sipped his coffee and stared at her. With his blank expression, it was impossible to read his thoughts. Was he preparing to drag her out of the room if she misbehaved?
    Her throat tightened. This was a mistake.
    “Did you sleep all right?” Trina wiped her hands on a towel. “I worried after you…”
    Her chest heaved, almost filling out the silk blouse. The dreaded time had come. “I apologize—”
    “It’s all right,” Trina replied, her eyes softening.
    How dare she minimize my behavior? I know when I’m out of line. Is she trying to replace my parents as the boss of my life? When will people let me own my feelings? She gritted her teeth. “No, it isn’t. I behaved poorly.” She worked her fingers against the wood of the table, trying to keep her anger in check. “It won’t happen again.”
    Trina’s hand rested on her arm. The woman’s touch felt soft and gentle, like Beth’s. “I understand, and it is all right. Now, what would you like for breakfast?”
    Ted cleared his throat. “I recommend the egg casserole.”
    Bill’s eyes burned against her face. Even though Trina had said to forget the incident, Bill didn’t seem as willing.
    “What can I get you to