Blue Skies, Season 2, Episode 8 (Rising Storm) Read Online Free PDF Page A

beginning, she’d thought she could change him. That loving him would make him whole. But there’d never been a chance for that. Hector wasn’t interested in changing. And he sure as heck didn’t love her.
    But by the time she’d figured that out, it was too late. She was married with a toddler and another baby on the way. Her lot in life set in stone. He’d isolated her from her friends and family. He’d stolen her confidence. Her joy. And her life had become an endless game of save the children.
    But then he’d gone away, and her life had been so much better. She’d pulled herself together. Had a glimpse of the woman she once was. The woman she was meant to be. But then, as if it were nothing but a cruel trick, Hector had jerked the rug out from under her again. She tried to tell herself that it was different. That her kids were older. Stronger. But she knew that if she tried to leave Hector, he’d take it out first on her and then on the people she loved.
    Marcus, Mallory, even Dakota. And definitely on Dillon.
    Dillon.
    Despite the fact that Hector slept only a short distance away, her mind moved to thoughts of Dillon. She was still angry at him, but her heart wanted what it wanted. And she’d wanted Dillon Murphy for a very long time. She closed her eyes, allowing herself to think for a minute about his kisses.
    Then she pushed the thoughts aside. There was no point in torturing herself over something she’d never have. Better to concentrate on her life as it was now. She straightened her skirt and checked her makeup in the hallway mirror. The cut on her lip was covered with lipstick and the bruise under her eye was almost concealed. The worst of her injuries were hidden by her clothes. And as long as she held her head high, there was a chance no one would notice.
    It would be easier to stay here and lay low until she’d healed, until she’d defused at least a little of Hector’s anger. But she wanted to talk to Tate. She needed to resign, but she wanted to do it in person. She knew he’d try to talk her out of it. But she simply couldn’t risk Hector doing anything to upset the campaign. Tate deserved better than that.
    All she had to do was nip down there before Hector woke up. Then on the way home, she’d stop by the grocery and tell him that’s where she’d been. She picked up her purse and pulled out her keys, smiled weakly at her reflection, and then started for the front door.
    “Where the hell do you think you’re going?” Hector snarled, his hand closing around her upper arm, fingers digging into her skin.
    She tried not to wince, but his grip was punishing.
    “Out. We need milk,” she whispered, trying to quell her roiling stomach.
    “I’ll get it. I don’t want you going anywhere,” he snarled. “Especially not dressed like that.” His bloodshot eyes moved from her lips to her breasts. “You look like a whore. Dillon Murphy’s whore.” His grip tightened as he raised his fist, his face turning red as his anger crested.
    Joanne closed her eyes, waiting for the blow.
     
    * * * *
     
    Payton Rush walked into the front hall of her sister’s house, surprised to see Celeste sitting at the dining room table with a cup of coffee and a stack of stationery. Her sister looked tired, but she was dressed and sober, which was definitely an improvement. She finished writing something and then looked up with a wan smile.
    “I would have come home sooner if I’d known you were going to be up and about.” Payton crossed the hall and walked into the room, taking a seat across from her sister, trying to sound cheerful.
    “I take it you stayed at Francine’s last night?” The question was offhand, clearly nothing more than conversation.
    “I did. And we had a lovely time,” Payton returned, not sure that she should be saying the words out loud. Celeste was so fragile, but sitting here at the table, writing letters, her sister seemed almost normal. Whatever in the world that meant. “What