Read Online Sweet Violet and a Time for Love by Leslie J. Sherrod - Free Book Online Page B

is the present. We’ll get through today and we’ll get to our trip.” He turned from me, looked out a window to the street eight stories below. I wished that I could see his face, read his features. I heard his words, but I could not make out the tone underneath them.
    â€œHopefully this case won’t drag along any longer than necessary and mess with our flight plans. Dr. Baronsen promised to give me a note allowing me to fly as long as I’m not nine months.” I realized that I had turned away as well. “Again, I’m sorry. I should have left it alone.”
    He left the window and began heading toward the door for the trip across the street. I could already see the growing swarm of journalists and onlookers crowding around the courthouse.
    How did I let it get this bad?
    â€œLeon?” I didn’t bother to hide the angst from my voice. “I’m not convinced that Sweet Violet had nothing to do with the murders. You still don’t think I should tell anyone about her?”
    â€œSienna.” He’d stopped walking. His back was to me. “Please, for once, listen to me. Leave it alone. That homeless woman has nothing to do with anything. You’ve done all you can for her. Now, for your sanity, for me, for us, please leave Sweet Violet alone and out of all this.” He turned to face me and I saw the strain in his eyes. “Just stick to your testimony, which is the truth about what you know for sure, and this whole thing will be over soon. Please, I’m asking as your husband. I’m asking as your friend.”
    I gave a slow nod, stepped toward him, toward his outstretched hands. I let myself fall into his embrace.
    â€œYou smell good, baby,” I murmured as I pressed my face, my nose into his shoulder. Dressed in an olive green suit and smelling like spice and body wash, I wanted him to know that I had no problems leaning on his shoulder, that I needed him, respected his thoughts, feelings, and, that, like him, I didn’t want to delay the current drama by introducing the unknown variables of Sweet Violet. I didn’t even know where she was.
    Sugar. That’s what was missing from his scent.
    He hadn’t been at his bakery in three weeks, ever since the media firestorm went truly frenetic with the start of the case.
    And it was all my fault.
    â€œThank you for your support with all of this, Leon,” was the only thing I could say.
    â€œOf course, Sienna. Of course.” He patted my arms and stepped away. “We need to go before that prosecutor, Alisa Billy, calls up here for you, right? Before Alisa the Billy Goat Gruff starts lighting up your cell phone. She’s worse than that nurse at Metro Community, KeeKee.”
    KeeKee. Metro Community. The night when it all began. Why had I agreed to carry that pager?
    â€œLet’s go, Leon. I’m ready.” I let his arms drop off of me then I picked up my briefcase filled with notes I didn’t need and marched to the door. I needed this day, this trial, and this craziness to be over.
    Just as I reached for the door handle, a knock sounded, sending me back two steps. Did someone know I was here? I gasped, knowing that housekeeping and room service usually announced themselves along with a knock, just for this reason.
    Leon, in one motion, ran to the door ahead of me, set me behind him, and peered out the peephole, a hand reaching under his suit jacket.
    Was he carrying a gun?
    That realization startled me more than the knock at the door. If the biggest threat was the media, why would he be carrying a gun?
    Leon stepped away from the peephole and looked at me, biting his lower lip. He unlocked the door, turned the handle, pulled it open, and stepped away.
    â€œMom.”
    â€œRoman.”
    We spoke simultaneously and then said nothing at all.
    â€œI’m going to head down now and let Alisa Billy know you’ll be down in a little while.” Leon left, closing