Forgotten Honeymoon Read Online Free PDF Page A

mother came downstairs. Margaret turned to Frank,
“Are you sure you’ll be all right here by yourself? You don’t want
to come with us?”
    Frank snorted. “Why would I want to go to a
shower and listen to a roomful of women giggle over toasters and
china? Besides, Lars is coming over to watch the baseball game with
me. I’ll be fine.”
    Lars? Her father sounded as if they
were friends again. Kelly was glad they’d resolved their
differences, but she didn’t want to run into Lars tonight.
    Not after Nigel’s cracks about his being the
baby’s father. It felt like everyone except her thought he was a
likely candidate. She was afraid she’d be too embarrassed to look
him in the eye.
    So you’ve been cheating on me all this time.
Let me guess -- It’s Henderson. Tell me, is bedding the boss’
daughter one of his perks, or is that why he got promoted?
    She hadn’t realized before today that Nigel
was jealous of her friendship with Lars. He didn’t think men and
women could be friends without sex becoming an issue.
    As if on cue, Lars knocked and opened the
front door. He had taken off his suit jacket, but still wore the
dress shirt and tie. Calm, steady, safe Lars. She refused to think
of Nigel’s petty accusations.
    “Anyone home?” Lars called, then saw Kelly
and her mother. His face froze.
    Kelly hurried to him and took his large hand
in hers. “Let’s go,” she begged, inwardly alarmed at how high her
voice sounded. “You wanted to talk, so let’s go. Right now.” She
felt as if the foundations of her life were crumbling and she
needed something strong to bolster her. She could trust Lars.
    Margaret was surprised. “Honey, you can’t go
out with Lars. You’ve got the bridal shower.”
    Lars tightened his grip on her hand. His eyes
glittered as they looked her over from head to toe, as if seeing
her for the first time. Which was silly. He’d seen her all dressed
up before. “You look very nice,” he murmured huskily.
    He’d always liked blue, she thought,
nervously twisting her pearl necklace, then wondered where that
piece of information came from. He must have told her once before.
“Thank you,” she said softly. Right now she appreciated every
compliment.
    “We do need to talk,” he said quietly,
watching her closely. “Maybe after the shower, we could grab a bite
--”
    “No,” she said. “I’m not going to the shower.
I can’t.”
    Margaret frowned at Kelly. “I don’t know
what’s gotten into you.”
    A baby , Kelly thought hysterically. A baby’s gotten into me and I don’t know how .
    “Frank?” her mother called. “Come tell your
daughter that she has to go the bridal shower and she can talk to
Lars later.”
    Frank came into the front foyer. He looked at
Lars and nodded, as if sending a silent message. “No, I think she
should talk to Lars and skip the shower.”
    Margaret stared at them as if they had all
gone crazy. “I can’t believe it. What am I going to tell Cousin
Estelle?”
    #
    Lars drove to his favorite Indian restaurant.
Kelly was quiet, staring out the window. Lars kept sneaking glances
at her, glad to be near her again.
    Kelly was beautiful, with her thick brown
hair, the curve of her shoulder, the little dimple by her lips when
she smiled. He liked the way her dress softly molded itself to her
slim figure. He’d loved her for so long, he couldn’t imagine being
attracted to anyone else.
    It was torture to watch her, remembering the
feel of her, the scent of her skin, the taste of her, and to know
that she remembered nothing.
    In her mind, he was not her husband. He was
just one of her father’s employees; a family friend. He was only
seven years older than she, but she often treated him as if he were
as old as her father.
    Until those few days in March.
    He’d known she was upset. She was mad at
Nigel and said they’d broken off the engagement. “Dance with me,”
she’d said. Then later that evening, “Kiss me.” And finally,