Read Online Stargazing (The Walker Family Book 2) by Bernadette Marie - Free Book Online Page A

that the breakdown she had at her store yesterday was a momentary lapse. She was fine. And because of that breakdown, she knew Pearl would have a scrutinizing eye on her. She’d eat her meal, just to prove that she could. Of course she could.
    Bethany pulled the towel from her hair and raked her fingers through the wet curls. She’d be just fine.
    With another thought, she opened the medicine cabinet behind the mirror and looked at the array of bottles she kept there. Maybe she’d take an appetite suppressant just in case.
     
    ~*~
     
    “Does this look better?” Kent did a spin in front of his laptop which was balanced on the bed.
    “You look fine. Have you never gone out to dinner with people before?” His sister laughed on the screen, her daughter cradled in her arms, asleep.
    “I like it here and people have asked me to be social with them. I want to make a good impression.”
    “Who’s the woman you’re trying to impress?”
    Kent loosened the tie around his neck. “No woman. Well, I mean I met one. She’s totally not into me.”
    “How do you know that?”
    “Bachelorette Massacre, remember that movie?”
    His sister winced. “Yes. Horrible movie.”
    He shrugged. “The redhead who was the last one to die.”
    “The one in that horrible yellow dress?”
    “Yeah, her. I met her.”
    “No way. Is she the one who’s not into you?”
    “Yep,” he said picking up the computer and setting it on the desk. He pulled out the chair and sat down. “She works for one of the women I’m going to dinner with tonight, who is engaged to her cousin. And the cousin of the cousin is the one who invited me to dinner.” He let out a groan. “Did any of that make sense?”
    “Big family. I’m following.”
    “Yeah.” He scratched his head wondering if he actually understood it all. “Anyway, she kinda gave me the cold shoulder. She might be getting married too. I’m not really clear on that. She was at a bridal shop.”
    “Maybe it was because of the cousin that’s getting married.”
    He let out a breath. “Hadn’t actually considered that.”
    “Yeah, I’m guessing she was already messing with your head. Which character is she going to be?” she laughed and then quieted when the baby stirred.
    “You’re not so smart you know.”
    “Which one?”
    He let his shoulders drop. “The princess.”
    “I knew it.” She looked at him from the screen. He was very thankful for Skype. “You look good. Maybe you’ll find a place to land one of these days. At least you’re making friends. Mom is worried you’re just sitting in hotel rooms in your boxers.”
    He waved that off as if it weren’t what he was actually doing. “I have to go.”
    “Okay, call me tomorrow. I want to know how it goes. Is she going to dinner too?”
    “I didn’t ask.”
    “Hmmm, yep, you’re finally fitting in then. Look at you making friends.”
    “Goodbye, sis.”
    “Goodbye.”
    He closed the screen of his computer and smiled. Family was a good thing even when you weren’t right there with them.
     
     

Chapter Nine
     
    The restaurant was quaint. Bethany noticed that they did a high tea, which she hadn’t done in years. It was something she and her mother would do for her mother’s birthday. The thought filled her with a moment of sadness, but then she thought of the joy it would bring to start a tradition with her sisters and her new friends.
    Lydia was showing Pearl the private room at the back of the restaurant. She sat down with Eric and Susan and ordered a glass of wine.
    “I love that they have a lot of vegetarian choices,” Susan said as she scanned the menu.
    “I’m eyeballing that enormous steak,” Eric added.
    “You would,” Susan said on a sigh as she reached for his hand. “I think your groom’s cake should be a cow.”
    “Now that would be awesome,” he said leaning in and kissing her gently.
    A man’s hand rested on Bethany’s shoulder and she flinched as she turned to see Lydia’s