The Rosaries (Crossroads Series) Read Online Free PDF Page B

the 1700s for Earl John Spencer, an ancestor of Lady Diana Spencer, the Princess of Wales.”
    “Goodness! Olivia must be ecstatic!  She missed out on a lot while growing up, and tried so hard to make something of herself. She deserves such a grand wedding.”
    The waitress came back with their orders, and they both dug in. They ate in silence until Mario swallowed the last bite and came forth with another interesting possibility. “And you, my dear, will probably be asked to be one of the bridesmaids. Paul said that Olivia will be beside herself when she hears we’ll be there.”
    Melody smiled and squeezed Mario’s hand.
    “Oh my God, I just can’t believe it...Olivia is getting married, and we are going to London ! Pinch me, please.”
    Mario burst into laughter so sensual it made Melody shiver.
    “Do I get to pick the place to pinch?” He said winking at her. “Unfortunately, I’m going to have to take a rain check on the pinching until tonight. I have to head off to work. Dwayne covered for me this morning, so I have to return the favor and let him spend a little time with his newborn son tonight.”
    “See how you are? First you tease, and then you retreat.”
    Mario smiled and caressed her cheek as he stood up. He kissed her gently on the lips and took his keys from the table. He had already taken a few steps when he suddenly stopped and turned around. “I’m sure Paul will be happy to hear from you; you might want to call him back.
    “I will. I’ll call him as soon as I get home.”
    Mario left, and Melody was suddenly in deep thought. She dreamt of Paul just the night before, and in the dream he looked pale and sick. Now he was going to London , halfway across the world, to give away his only daughter in marriage. Melody felt a strange sensation of doom and shivered. She took a sip of her water and hoped this wasn’t the beginning of another wild ride.

 
     
     
     
    Chapter Three
     
    Natalie Sanders was still in shock. Months of work were wiped out in less than fifteen minutes, and now she felt totally lost, empty and alone. She wanted to call her parents but knew that they didn’t really approve of her artistic career, so she killed the idea before it could turn into a full thought. She had no real friends, aside from Billy, her cat, who was now lovingly curled beside her chest while she lay on the couch in a nearly-comatose state; he purred loudly as if to let her know he was there, always by her side, and Natalie stroked its ginger fur to convey that she had gotten the message and deeply appreciated it.
    Someone knocked on the door, and she hoped that, if ignored, they would go away. When they didn’t, she got up slowly, running a hand through her unwashed hair as she walked. She opened the door and stared at Aunt Catherine standing in the doorway, wearing self-righteousness as her usual favorite outfit. Natalie took one look at the old lady and decided she wasn’t going to argue with her today. She waved her hand in dismissal and walked back to the couch, leaving Catherine standing by the open door, visibly appalled.
    “Well, young lady, are you going to let me in, or are you just going to make me stand here like a delivery boy?” Catherine’s voice was ripe with judgment.
    Natalie was already upset, and Aunt Catherine’s uppity demeanor was something she really could not stomach today. “Sorry I didn’t summon the town band to announce your arrival, Aunt Catherine, and I’m afraid I misplaced the number for the local newspaper.” Natalie was sure Aunt Catherine was ready to start with her etiquette bullshit, and she also knew the old bat couldn’t have picked a worse day to piss her off. To her amazement, what spilled from Catherine’s lips froze her in place.
    “I came by to see how you are, Dear.”
    Natalie arched her eyebrow – had Aunt Catherine driven twenty miles out of her way to check on the welfare of her outcast niece? Not a chance. Something was up and Natalie was