Read Online Sidney Sheldon's After the Darkness by Sidney Sheldon - Free Book Online

Caroline’s favorite dishes and I’ll have Felicia make them. What do you think?”
    Lenny looked at her fondly. “I think it’s a great idea, Gracie.”
    Grace started to walk away but he reached out and grabbed her hand. “I love you. You do know that, don’t you?”
    She laughed and threw her arms around him.
    â€œOf course I know it. Honestly, Lenny! What a funny thing to say.”
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    â€œI’ M NOT SITTING NEXT TO HER. Or Lenny. And don’t expect me to clap my fins together like a performing seal and bark in gratitude either. I’ll leave the groveling up to you, John.”
    Caroline Merrivale was in a foul mood. Despite the fact that it was she who insisted they accept Lenny’s invitation to Nantucket, she now blamed John for everything. The dull excursions, the dreary company, the fact that they’d been relegated to the meanest and shabbiest of the dreadful little guesthouses. She refused to see Grace’s “special dinner” as anything other than yet another patronizing slight.
    â€œJust d-d-don’t make a scene, Caro, all right? That’s all I’m asking.”
    â€œ All you’re asking? And what do you think gives you the right to ask anything? Have you spoken to Lenny? About the raise?”
    John looked pained. “Not yet. It’s not as s-s-simple as you seem to think it is.”
    â€œOn the contrary, John. It’s very simple. Either you talk to him or I will.”
    â€œNo! You c-can’t! Please, you must leave L-Lenny to me.”
    â€œFine. But you’d better grow some balls and talk to him before the end of this vacation. If I have to listen to his vacuous wifelette gush one more time about how grateful she is for my incredible friendship, I can’t be held responsible for my actions.”
    John Merrivale thought sadly, Grace is grateful for your friendship. Poor, misguided girl.
    Lenny was a lucky man. Wives like Grace were one in a million.
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    â€œP LEASE DON’T STAND ON CEREMONY, EVERYONE. Dig in!”
    Grace felt unaccountably nervous. The dinner itself looked fabulous. Felicia had excelled herself as usual. The lobster bisque smelled exquisite and was the perfect shade of pale pink, the roast lamb looked mouthwateringly succulent on its bed of organic greens and the raspberry Pavlova was as much a sculpture as a dessert, a towering triumph of snow-white meringue and blood-red berries. Caroline couldn’t fail to be delighted.
    And yet Grace could not enjoy her triumph. Earlier that day she’d seen Connie talking heatedly with Lenny on the beach, then storming off close to tears. When Grace caught up with her sister and asked her what was wrong, Connie had shrugged her away angrily.
    â€œIt’s Michael,” Lenny explained. “He’s depressed. They’re going through so much stress right now, honey, you mustn’t take it personally.”
    But Grace did take it personally. Not four hours earlier, Honor had bitten her head off, too. All Grace did was ask if she wanted to come to the spa.
    â€œNot everything in this life can be fixed by a fucking massage, Gracie, okay? Christ, is that your answer to everything? To spend more money pampering yourself?”
    Grace was deeply hurt. She wasn’t a materialistic person. Honor, of all people, should know that. In fairness, Honor had apologized afterward. “It’s Jack. He’s got so much on his mind lately, I think some of the stress is rubbing off on me.” Grace forgave her and they made up. Butstill, a lingering anxiety remained. Perhaps she was imagining it, but it seemed to Grace that there was an almost palpable tension around the dinner table tonight.
    They’re all unhappy. Even Lenny. I want to make them happy, but I can’t.
    â€œThe soup’s ambrosial, Grace. Nice job.” Mike Gray grinned at his sister-in-law.
    â€œThanks.” She smiled back. He doesn’t look