Saved By A Soldier (Love Conquers Life Book 1) Read Online Free Page A

I see she has already set a plate out for me.
    “The house smells delicious, Celia.”
    She has made baked chicken with mashed sweet potatoes and green beans. My stomach growls, telling me I’m hungrier than I realized.
    “Thank you. Do you mind if I join you?”
    “Are you kidding? I was hoping you would, Celia. I really didn’t want to be out here all alone. It would be so lonely and boring but I really needed to get some work done. If I had brought Bella or my mom with me I’d get nothing done.”
    “I understand.” She laughs lightly. “So how have you been? I feel like it has been forever since I’ve seen you.”
    “I know. I’m sorry but if I go by to visit mother, then I have to pretend to be someone I’m not and it drives me crazy. Visiting her is hard, that’s why I don’t come often. I wish she would just accept me for who I am.”
    “Your mother loves you very much,” Celia says with a sigh. “She just wants the best for you. Although I totally understand what you’re saying, please just try to remember that.”
    “Oh I know, that’s how I ended up with that asshole Ben. He was the worst boyfriend ever, but because he has money she insisted he was perfect for me. She said he could take care of me.” I shake my head, remembering all I went through with my ex. I stayed with him for over a year trying to please her and hoping that he would change and we could have a normal relationship. But when he hit me, that was it, and I was out the door. My mother actually stood up for him, saying he didn’t mean it and that he had too much to drink that night. I didn’t want to hear it. I was done.
    Celia gives me a sympathetic look and takes another bite of our delicious dinner.
    “Listen, I know you’re loyal to my mother and it’s fine that you don’t want to say much. You have told me enough times how you feel and I know you’re there for me.”
    “Thank you, Patricia. I care a great deal about you and your mother. I truly believe your mother has your best interests at heart. It just isn’t what you want, and that’s fine too. Continue to show her who you are and what you can accomplish and she’ll come around.” We continue to eat in a comfortable silence until Celia says, “What’s up with the boy at the Montgomery house?”
    “What do you mean?”
    She smiles. “Was he cute?”
    I burst out laughing, “Celia, I hardly saw him. He ran inside like he was afraid to be seen. All I know is he had some grocery bags in his hands like he was going to be here for a while.”
    “Maybe he’ll provide you with some inspiration.” She wiggles her eyebrows up and down and I blush.
    “I bet this is my father’s doing. He probably sent him out here to watch over me. My mom sends me an awesome cook and a buddy and my father sends me a knight in shining armor.”
    Celia chuckles.
    “This was delicious,” I say as I stand to scrape my plate and wash it.
    “I’m glad you enjoyed it,” Celia says, drying the dishes I’m washing. It’s then that I realize how lucky I am to have her with me. It’s nice to have someone to talk to during meals and to help make sure I’m eating well.
    “Thanks for being here, Celia. I mean it. I know we only just got here and I complained about wanting to be alone, but it was nice to have someone to have dinner with.” I hand her the last dish to dry off.
    “I’m glad to be here, Patricia. If I had let your mother come, you wouldn’t get anything done and you would probably kill her.”
    We both start laughing again.
    “I think I’m going to go take a bath and relax in my room for a bit. Good night, Celia.”
    “I have some white wine in the fridge if you would like to relax with some after your bath. I’ll be lighting a fire.”
    “That sounds nice, thank you. I think I’ll grab a book and do just that. Give me about twenty minutes and I’ll be out.”
    I head into the bathroom deciding to shower instead of bathing so I can sit down and read. I have