Only Through Love: A Cane River Romance Novella by Hathaway Mary Jane

Author:Hathaway, Mary Jane [Hathaway, Mary Jane]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Gumbo Books
Published: 2015-07-30T07:00:00+00:00

Chapter Eight

Oft a little morning rain

Foretells a pleasant day.—Charlotte Bronte

“I just don’t understand what’s going on over at your old house,” Alice said as she walked the space in front of the desk. By the Book had been busy that morning but by the afternoon it was just the three of them.

Charlie didn’t look up from The Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy. The book was like ice cream. Familiar, comforting, and something she dug into when she was depressed. “Oh?” she asked, trying not to sound too interested.

“Paul said the new owners finally called the FBI to see if they can get all that nonsense stopped.” She rocked Aurora from side to side as the baby fussed.

Her heart dropped. The FBI would make short work of the cyber-bullies. They’d also trace the entire thing back to Charlie. “Are they sure it’s not just some pranksters?”

“I don’t think it’s just a prank now. Apparently they raffled off the house for five dollars a ticket. Made tons of money, even picked a winner. She showed up yesterday to claim her five dollar house.”

Charlie looked up from her book but didn’t know what to say. The pranks had turned into mail fraud with thousands of innocent victims and she didn’t even live there anymore. The bullies must know that. Maybe they were hoping she was still feeling the pain of their attacks second hand. If so, they succeeded. “That’s terrible,” she said.

“I hope Aurora’s not coming down with anything,” Alice said after a particularly loud whimper from the baby. “I was really looking forward to going out to Henry and Gideon’s place for the low country boil tomorrow.”

Little Aurora turned four months old the day before and had celebrated the occasion by fussing most of her waking hours. “I can always watch her for you two.” Dinner at Bix and Ruby’s had been bearable, even fun at times but only because she’d made peace with Austin, and then they’d both done their best to stay out of each other’s way. She had no desire to go to the backyard cook out, no matter how empty her fridge was. She was pretty sure who else would be there and most were people she was trying to avoid.

“Oh, I’d never ask you to miss it. You’re young and you need to get out more than I do.”

Charlie shot her a look. “You’re not that much older than I am. Plus, you and Paul need to get out, too.” She watched them walk the floor for a moment. “Isn’t she a little better today?”

Alice turned the little girl around so she was facing outward, straightening her little shirt. It was white and read “Irony: The Opposite Of Wrinkly” in bright blue letters. The baby’s lower lip stuck out and her eyes filled with tears. “Maybe she’s bored. Maybe she’s tired of being with me all the time. Maybe she doesn’t want to spend all her time in a bookstore,” Alice said, her voice hushed with worry.

“Impossible.” Charlie flipped her book closed and came around the desk.

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