Celtic Sister Read Online Free Page B

space. Raksha picked up the Bible and leafed through it. She pulled out bills as she found them. Waving them in Amy’s face, she said, “So you’re actually a dealer? Even better. Pack your things and get out of here now.”
    “Wait,” Amy pleaded. She finally realized the gravity of the situation. “You don’t understand. This isn’t what it looks like.”
    Raksha folded her arms. “Okay, enlighten me. What, pray tell, is it, young lady? I’ve heard a lot of stories. Let’s see if you’ve got anything original to regale me with.” She crossed the room and sat down.
    Amy turned away from the sunlight, grateful that Raksha had settled herself in the chair by the wall.
    “I took that money from our fire safe when I ran away.”
    Raksha waited patiently for her to continue.
    “I didn’t know how long I’d go without a job. I wanted enough money to hide out for a while.”
    Raksha snorted. “A job. Did you go to an interview today? Look at yourself.”
    Tears formed at the edges of Amy’s eyes.
    Raksha continued. “You’ve locked yourself in here for six days, drinking or drugging or whatever it is you’re doing. You snubbed my dinner invitation. You’re obviously not job hunting, young lady. I need to see your driver’s license right now. I’m going to call a police officer and have him look you up. We don’t welcome fugitives.”
    “No, please. Please listen. Brent has probably reported me as a missing person.”
    “Or as the thief who robbed his savings.”
    “He pushed me down the stairs.”
    “So you say.”
    “He did.” Amy became hysterical, her voice rising and cracking with each statement. “He threw me down the stairs. He caused me to miscarry. He killed our baby,” she screeched almost unintelligibly, and she began to sob. Finally, after days smothered by a drunken haze, the grief found its way to the surface and poured out in a deluge. The tears morphed into wailing, a sound of mourning that was almost inhuman. After a few minutes, Amy was gasping for air between bursts of tears.
    Raksha sat down on the bed, wrapped her arms around Amy, and rocked her gently. “Hush, Priya. It’s okay. I believe you. It’s okay.”
    Amy’s gasps eventually smoothed into normal breathing, and she looked up into Raksha’s eyes.
    “That little green towel you clutched when you arrived?” Raksha asked.
    Amy nodded.
    “How far along?”
    “Eighteen weeks.”
    Raksha touched Amy’s belly. “Did you see your doctor?”
    “Of course not. Brent will be looking for me there. I can’t go anywhere.”
    “You need to go to your doctor. What’s his or her name? You don’t know the extent of the damage.”
    “It was a full miscarriage, placenta and all.” Amy cringed. “I can’t go to the doctor. Brent will find me.”
    “They know you and can protect you. Once they see what happened, they’ll understand. He can’t be parked out there night and day. You’ll be safe. I promise. Now where is this doctor?”
    Reluctantly, Amy gave her the name of the doctor and the general vicinity of the office.
    “Please take a shower. I’m going to look up this doctor and find some decent clothing for you.” Raksha examined Amy as if trying to discern her size. “I’ll be back in about twenty minutes. I’m taking you to the doctor. And you’re having dinner with my family tonight.”
    “But—”
    “No buts. Get in the shower.”
    ***
    When Raksha returned, Amy was wrapped in a towel, cradling a foam cup of coffee. Raksha placed a red silk blouse and a pair of black trousers on the bed as well as a large, yellow purse. Then she held up a pair of black slip-on flats.
    “I don’t know if these will fit you. Try them. They’ll look tidier than those filthy running shoes.” She slipped back outside before Amy had a chance to say thank you.
    The shoes were one size too small, but they were a stretchy leather and surprisingly comfortable after a few minutes. The silk blouse caressed Amy’s skin. She