Released to Rapture (Irresistible Inmate) Read Online Free Page A

be here soon. Mom could always
read her like a book. Wrapped in a towel, she returned to the
bedroom.
    Duncan is gone, thank goodness, she thought,
but a hard lump in her throat made it hard to swallow. She dressed
in her standard wardrobe of jeans and tee-shirt, checked the
readiness of the guest room, and hurried to the kitchen. As she
completed a large bowl of salad, the sound of a vehicle driving
into the back yard brought her to the window. Her heart lifted as
her mother stepped from the truck and trotted as fast as her short
legs would carry her toward the house. Goldie slammed through the
screen, ran across the yard to meet her mother. Both women, smiling
ear-to-ear, hugged with tears in their eyes. It had been a long
time. Together, they turned to find out what her father was up to.
He stood with his hands on his hips, staring around the property,
clearly displeased.
    To put off dealing with his disapproval,
Goldie called out, “Hey, Dad, come give me a hug. Supper will be
ready in a few.”
    He turned and strode to her, his weathered
face creased into a generous smile. After a tight hug, he backed up
and looked her over. “Well, at least my baby girl is looking mighty
fine.” With an arm around both women, he aimed them all toward the
porch. “I’m anxious to get into the meatloaf, daughter.”
    After her parents settled at the long country
table, Goldie washed three large potatoes and popped them in the
microwave. As they cooked, she sliced the left-over meatloaf,
placed it in a baking dish, and slid it into the oven. Filling
glasses with ice and tea, she glanced at her mother. “Mom, I swear
you look younger every time I see you. Retirement must suit
you.”
    Mr. Stanton chuckled. “All my women are
beauties. It’s done Susan a world of good to get away from all this
hard farm work.” As Goldie put silverware, butter, and sour cream
on the table, he continued. “I always hated how my wife had to work
on the farm, and is’s why I didn’t want to give the place to you.
If Leven had been a real farmer, maybe it would have worked out.
It’s obvious from what I noticed while coming in here, things have
simply been too much for you.”
    Susan took two plates of food from Goldie and
placed one in front of her husband. “Clinton, I’d appreciate it if
you saved the farm arguments until I go to bed. I’ve heard all I
want to hear about it.”
    Goldie slipped into her chair and cut her
meat. Susan ignored her husband’s scowl. “Daughter, you look
healthy and happy in spite of the farm—bright eyes and rosy cheeks.
Has something happened to lift your spirits?”
    She smiled, although her mother’s
intuitiveness made her a little wary. If either parent knew about
Duncan, they’d be shocked and outraged. Glancing at her Dad, she
said, “Maybe it’s because I’ve finally admitted I need some help
with the farm. I decided to hire someone right away. The decision
makes me feel better.”
    The meal passed pleasantly. Susan told her
Clinton now played golf, and she rarely saw him during the day. She
took the time available to play canasta with a group of women at
the club house, exercised and swam in the facility. “Oh, yes, Clint
and I have become laze-abouts—even sleeping in every morning. Quite
a change from the farm schedule, getting up and about by sunrise
every day.”

    Duncan reached the road as the Stantons
turned into Goldie’s drive. It had to be them as no other traffic
moved on the road. Thank goodness, they didn’t see him. It would
worry them to catch a strange man coming from the farm. He looked
both ways down the road, and the only thing in sight was that old
man’s country store, Goldie’s uncle, if he remembered correctly.
Without thinking, he ambled in that direction.
    After fifty yards, he stopped and sat by the
edge of the road. The wet shoes were rubbing blisters on his feet.
He pulled them off, propped his arms on his knees and dropped his
head onto them. It felt as if a ton of