Read Online Winds of Heaven by Kate Sweeney - Free Book Online

laughing. Casey made a dash for her and in two long strides, she scooped her up, holding her by the back of her swimsuit.
    Arms and legs dangling, the little sack of potatoes cried angrily, “I fim ...”
    From the porch, Liz saw Casey’s devilish grin. “Don’t you dare, Casey Bennett.”
    Casey let out a dejected groan and walked into the water, holding Skye.
    For the next hour, they played and laughed on the beach. Casey put Skye on a rubber raft and pulled her around in the shallow water. Of course, Skye climbed off and Casey struggled to keep the laughing child from drowning.
    “ Cafey ,” Skye said, pointing in the water.
    In the shallow water, a school of fish gathered by a boulder. “ Fith .”
    Casey laughed. “Yep, little fish. When they grow up to be big ones, I’ll show you how to catch them.”
    “I want fith .” Skye put her hand in the water and splashed, laughing as the fish swam in all directions.
    Liz watched as Skye and Casey headed up the beach; playtime was over. It was then Liz noticed how attractive Casey Bennett was. All legs, Liz mused. Casey had a fit figure. She wore a modest one-piece bathing suit that Liz instinctively knew she wore for her and Skye’s benefit. “Probably swims naked with the ladies. All the single un-pregnant ones,” she added gloomily.
    Skye was full of sand, as was Casey. “Your daughter knows no fear,” she said as she walked up on the deck with Skye behind her. Casey grabbed a towel. “I have sand in places I didn’t know I had places.”
    Skye ran to her mother. “Mama, I fim . I see fith ,” she cried out.
    Liz wrapped a towel around her, giving her a big hug. “I saw you. I’m so proud of you, you did great, sweet pea,” she said affectionately. “Do you like the fish?”
    Skye nodded emphatically. Casey watched as Liz laughed and whispered something in Skye’s ear. Skye nodded and waddled up to Casey.
    “Yes?” Casey asked, grinning.
    “Thank you, Cafey ,” the girl whispered.
    Casey turned bright red, completely unaccustomed to this. She coughed and avoided Liz. “You’re welcome, Shortround .”
    Skye reached for Casey, who bent down to her. The little snot kissed her right on the lips, her hands patted her cheeks.
     
    Later in the evening, with Skye in bed, Liz and Casey sat out on the deck in the warm summer night.
    “I’ve got to go to Chicago for a few days. I have the last of the compositions done and I’ll be in the studio. I hope I won’t be gone for too long. I’ve asked Marge to stop by. She lives a quarter mile or so around the lake. Just in case. I’ll be at my apartment. The number is by the phone, as well as my cell phone, in case you need anything. Y-you can call anytime,” she finished awkwardly.
    Liz smiled as she watched her. “Thank you. I don’t want to disrupt your life any more than I already have. I truly appreciate all you’ve done so far,” she said in a quiet voice.
    “Well, I know I was aggravated and surly. I apologize. I’m not used to, well, I’ve been on my own and…” She stopped, knowing she sounded like an idiot.
    “I know. This is a change for both of us, Casey. I didn’t want to leave New Mexico. I didn’t want to admit I couldn’t do this on my own. However, I have Skye, and in three months or so... Well, sometimes pride takes a backseat. I just want to do the best for us,” she said and gently ran her hand over her stomach.
    Casey gave her a curious look. “What does it feel like?”  
    Liz looked up and raised an eyebrow. “Well, it’s unnerving to know that a little human is growing inside you. Sometimes I feel like that movie Alien ,” she said. When Casey laughed openly, Liz thought how nice her laughter sounded. It changed Casey’s demeanor, making her even more appealing. Liz quickly dismissed her thoughts and continued, “But it’s a miracle, and at first, honestly? There was a part of me that hoped the insemination wouldn’t work.”
    “Why?” Casey leaned