The Stranger: The Heroes of Heyday (Harlequin Superromance No. 1266) Read Online Free PDF Page A

soon I’d hold him in contempt.” She laughed and patted Freddy’s arm. “I’ve been dying for a chance to say that.”
    She turned back to Mindy with twinkling eyes. “I’ve only been a judge about a week.”
    Her laughter was infectious, and as Mindy chuckled she felt the knot in her stomach relax a millimeter. Maybe she could do this after all.
    But just then, in the depths of the clever turquoise macramé drawstring purse Mindy had purchased to match her bikini, her cell phone began to ring.
    Freddy shot a quick glance at her, and, her cheeks heating up, she shrugged helplessly. Dumb, dumb. She should have put it on mute.
    She squeezed her hand over the purse, hoping to muffle the sound, but Freddy shook his head. “Go ahead, answer it,” he said in an understanding voice. “It might be Mallory. It might be about your mother.”
    She nodded gratefully. He was such a special guy. He always seemed concerned about her mother’s health. He didn’t even seem to mind that his new fiancée came with so much baggage.
    She excused herself from the other two as she dug out the small, silver phone. The caller ID showed that he’d been right. It was Mallory.
    Mindy found a quiet corner, between an untendedbar and a trash can, the least picturesque square foot of the entire party. She clicked the green answer button.
    â€œHi, Mallory,” she said. “Is everything all right?”
    â€œMom’s fine,” Mallory said. That was the first sentence of every conversation they had. “I just wanted to talk to you for a minute.”
    Mal sounded a little edgy, Mindy thought. Her own guilty conscience pictured the overpriced bikini. But there was no way Mallory could know about that. Mindy had bought it with her own credit card, and she’d pay for it with her own paycheck. Somehow.
    â€œOkay. What’s up?”
    â€œI just—” Mallory stopped. She sounded uncertain, which was unlike her. She was the big sister. Now that their mother was…sick…Mallory was the boss, and the job suited her. Just like Mom, Mallory had always been completely sure of herself and her decisions. Of all the Rackham women, only Mindy was tormented with self-doubt.
    â€œI just wondered,” Mallory said slowly, “if you’ve thought any more about when you’re going to tell Freddy.”
    God, that again? At a time like this? They’d just had this conversation three days ago, and Mindy had promised to think about it, to look for the perfect moment. They both knew she was going to have to tell him. Even in Mindy’s most selfish dreams, she didn’t imagine that she had the right to marryhim without telling him the truth. It was just a matter of when.
    â€œMal, it’s a little awkward to discuss this right now. I’m at a party. With Freddy. It’s a political thing.”
    â€œOh. Oh…well.”
    â€œWhat’s wrong?” Mindy could tell that Mallory was upset. “Can’t we talk about this later?” She lowered her voice to a near-whisper. “You know this kind of thing intimidates me, Mal. But I’m doing pretty well, I think. I just can’t let myself get upset now.”
    â€œYes, of course, later is fine.” Mallory’s voice resumed its normal, brisk, cheerful tones. “I’m sorry. I didn’t remember that the party was today. Good for you, honey. I’m really proud of you for deciding to go after all.”
    Mindy remembered sheepishly that she’d told Mallory she might plead a headache, or the flu, and skip the party. She was so afraid of letting Freddy down. She was so afraid that someday, at one of these functions, the mist would fall from his eyes and he’d see her as she really was.
    Too young, too gauche, too shy. Pretty enough to be a trophy wife, but not worthy in any other way.
    In the end, a liability.
    â€œThanks,” she said self-consciously.