Winds of Heaven Read Online Free PDF Page B

off,” her grandmother said. “You’ll have to stop swearing. When do Liz Kennedy and her family get to Wisconsin?”
    “I’m leaving in a couple days. She’ll be there by late afternoon.”
    “So she’s agreeable to this, to travel being pregnant and with a small child?”
    “Well, she’s probably used to being taken care of. And if she thinks I’m gonna wait on her hand and foot because she got herself pregnant, she’s mistaken.”
    Meredith raised her eyebrow at the outburst. Casey sat back and folded her arms across her chest in a childlike manner. “Don’t judge too quickly, Casey. You don’t know the whole situation.”
    Casey grunted. “I know the situation, Gram. It’s the one I avoided. Two irresponsible women having babies. Only one of them dies, leaving behind a mess for someone else to clean up.”
    “That sounded very cruel, Casey Bennett.”
    “Probably. But very true.”
    Meredith heard the bitterness in Casey’s voice. She wondered what this Liz Kennedy was really like. Whatever she was like, she had to be an improvement over the cellist.

 

    Chapter 4

    “Are you sure you want to do this, Liz?” Elaine asked. She sat on the couch and accepted the glass of wine Liz offered.
    “I have to, Elaine. Joanne said she had a friend who could rent this place furnished. I’m hoping once the baby is born and I can get back on my feet and get a job, I can come back here.” Liz looked around the apartment and sighed. “Though Julie was gone most of the time, there are memories here.” However, the stream of endless nights, lying alone in bed, flashed through her mind.
    “Won’t you let me help you?” Elaine said. “I can help with—”
    Liz shook her head. “No, please. You’re so busy at the hospital and you have your own family and bills to pay. You’re doing enough just to take the few things and store them for me.” She sat down with a tired sigh and patted Elaine’s knee. “I’ve thought this through so much since meeting with Julie’s lawyer, I can’t think anymore. I have no job, and I have no money really to pay for this apartment. Skye needs stability, and before you know it, this little one will be here.” She ran her hand over her belly.
    “I do see your point. And if this woman knew Julie, perhaps it will work out. It’s awfully generous of her to help.”
    “I feel like a charity case. Thank God, Julie’s lawyer has a nephew who bought the car. I needed that extra cash.”
    Elaine raised her glass. “Well, sweetie. If you ever need anything, you know I’m here for you.” Elaine raised her glass. “Here’s to Wisconsin and a new beginning.”
    Liz smiled and offered her iced tea glass. “Let’s hope so.”

    As they got off the bus in Wisconsin, Liz held on to Skye’s hand. She groaned as her back ached horribly.
    The hot August sun beat down on her daughter’s head. “Mama, I hot,” Skye complained as she rubbed her eyes.
    “I know, sweetie. Somebody will be meeting us,” she said and patted her head.
    The driver helped unload her few bags and walked with her into the terminal. He set the bags down and Liz felt horrible. She opened her purse and held the ten-dollar bill in her hand. Having nothing smaller, she just couldn’t give all of it to him.
    “Don’t worry about it, ma’am,” he said with a wink and tipped his hat, then walked away.
    She eased herself onto the bench, and Skye crawled up next to her. “I tired,” she grumbled, her cheeks flushed from the heat.
    “Ms. Kennedy?” a woman’s voice called out.
    Liz looked up to see an absolutely stunning woman standing in front of her. Tall, tanned, and scowling. This must be Casey Bennett, she thought.
    “Yes. Ms. Bennett?”
    Casey nodded. “I…Let me help you. We can get out of this infernal heat,” she said and looked down at Skye. Liz hid her grin as Casey Bennett smirked when Skye looked up.
    “Hi,” Skye said with a giggle.
    Liz looked away, trying not to laugh as Casey