The First Wife Read Online Free PDF Page A

about to hide in the bed—naked, for heaven’s sake—and miss this
     first chance to meet her new sister-in-law. Or chance that the outspoken woman wouldn’t
     charge up here to see her for herself.
    The moment Logan exited the room, she leaped up and began throwing herself together.
     After finishing by pulling her hair into a ponytail and dabbing on a bit of lip gloss,
     she headed into the hall.
    And stopped on the landing. She heard them, although they stood at the bottom of the
     stairs, out of her line of sight.
    “How could you do this to me, Logan? I’m your sister.”
    “And I love you. But it’s my life.”
    “And I like to think I’m a part of it.”
    “You are, Raine. C’mon.”
    Bailey heard the affection in his tone and smiled.
    “She’s so sweet,” he said. “You’re going to like her. I promise.”
    “That’s what you said about True.”
    “And you liked her.”
    “At first. Then she turned on us.”
    “I don’t want to talk about her. And I won’t. Not today.”
    “You don’t see the parallels? You thought she was sweet, too. You brought her home,
     just like this—”
    Bailey crept closer and was just able to peek down at them.
    “—surprise! ‘Meet my young, beautiful wife! Love her. She’s family now.’”
    The bitterness and anger in Raine’s voice shocked her. As did the news that Logan
     had done this before, gotten married in a romantic whirlwind.
    Bailey had thought she was special, that their love was a once-in-a-lifetime occurrence.
     Apparently not, if Raine was to be believed. Bailey pushed the thought—and the way
     it hurt—aside and refocused on their conversation.
    “They’re two different people,” Logan said, voice low, reassuring. “You’ll see.”
    Raine lowered her voice; Bailey had to strain to hear. “But you’re the same. I can’t …
     I couldn’t stand to see you heartbroken again.”
    Bailey stepped out into the open. “You won’t have to,” she said clearly, forcing a
     confident smile. “I love your brother with all my heart.”
    Raine looked up at her. She was beautiful—brown hair so dark it was nearly black,
     classic features—a feminine version of Logan save for the color of their eyes. Instead
     of light green, hers were a deep, rich brown.
    And right now, they glittered with fury.
    “Here she is,” Logan said. “My beautiful bride.”
    His smile chased the chill away. She descended the stairs and went to his side. He
     drew her close, arm possessively around her.
    “Bailey Abbott, meet my sister, Raine.”
    Bailey smiled brightly at her new sister-in-law, and held out her hand. “Hurricane
     Raine,” she said. “I’m so happy to finally meet you.”
    Something in the woman’s expression shifted subtly. Admiration? For her backbone?
     Or anticipation? As if she’d decided Bailey could prove a worthy opponent … or an
     easy target?
    She took Bailey’s hand. “You’re right, Logan. She’s not True. I think she and I are
     going to get along famously.”

 
    CHAPTER FIVE
    The smell of grilling steak wafted on the evening air. The sound of laughter mingled
     with the tinkling of the courtyard fountain. Paul had arrived first, with flowers
     and wine. Raine had never left, instead heading straight to the bar, then out to sit
     alone by the pool, bundled up in her coat.
    To Bailey, her sitting out there alone had felt weird. Logan had assured her that
     isolating herself was his sister’s way and that she would join them when she was ready.
     Or not.
    She did, finally, her smile and behavior bright, but brittle. So brittle, Bailey feared
     the wrong words would shatter her into a million pieces. Paul, on the other hand,
     was affable and generous. Smiling at her, working to include her. Even so, she could
     see the strain around his eyes.
    She wondered if he could see the strain around hers. If they all could. These people
     were so different than she. Beautiful and worldly. This place, so much … grander.