Second Chance at Love (Love Conquers All) Read Online Free Page A

uniforms for the week.” Turning on the iron, Karen adjusted the appliance to the cotton setting. “What’s going on with you?”
     
    “Girl, I’m just relaxing. Mom and Poppa Patrick loaded the kids in the stroller and went for a walk. I’m going to cherish every second they’re gone.”
     
    Karen laughed. “I know what you mean. The kids have been with Ava’s folks all this weekend.” Taking a shirt from the laundry basket, Karen gently shook it before laying it on the ironing board. “I can’t tell you how delightful it’s been being all alone.”
     
    “Is that right?” Starr queried. Karen noticed the hint of laughter in her sister’s voice.
     
    “Girl, what are you talking about?”
     
    “Oh don’t even play with me. From what I hear you weren’t all alone this weekend.” Starr teased, knowing she was about to rattle her sister’s cage.
     
    An uneasiness swept over Karen at the lie she was about to tell her sister. “I haven’t the slightest idea what you’re talking about.” Okay, why did her voice have to suddenly croak like she had a frog in her throat? Again she reiterated, “I don’t know what you’re talking about.” At least this time her voice came out a little stronger.
     
    “Is that so Karen Marie Avery Johnston?”
     
    Standing the iron up so she wouldn’t burn a hole in her daughter’s uniform shirt, Karen prepared herself for Starr’s probing. Once Starr got on a roll she wouldn’t let up until she unturned every stone. But Karen was determined not to give in so easily to the probing.
     
    Sighing as if she was bored to death, Karen said, “Y-Yes that is so Starr Michelle Avery Dawson.”
     
    “Humph, that’s not what a little birdie told me.” Starr taunted.
     
    Padding into the kitchen for a glass of water, Karen shot back, “I don’t care what a little birdie told you.”
     
    Hearing her sister’s melodious laughter caused a smile to curve her soft lips. As children their mother had taught them to verbally spar with one another without the harshness of nasty words. When they were younger they would go on for hours and hours until one of them would finally concede. It’s not going to be me, Karen thought as she withdrew a bottle of water from the refrigerator.
     
    “Ah, touchy, touchy aren’t we? From your reaction I would have to say my little birdie’s information is right on target.”
     
    Karen laughed. She had to give it to her little sister. The brat could still push her buttons. Well, she could push all she wanted. No way was she telling her about her impromptu date with Dom. If one really could call it a date. All they had done was go out for cheesesteaks and ice cream. Dom hadn’t even come in after he dropped Karen off, which disappointed her. For the first time in years she was enjoying the company of the opposite sex. She was even more disappointed when he didn’t try to kiss her at her front door.
     
    “There’s nothing for me to be touchy about,” Karen nonchalantly answered.
     
    Starr let out an exaggerated sigh. At the rate they were going, volleying back and forth, their mother and stepfather would be back with the toddlers. “Since you’re not going to come clean, I suppose I’ll have to tell you what the little birdie said.”
     
    “And just want did this little birdie say?” Karen asked just as she was readying herself to take a swig of water.
     
    “That you and that fine specimen Dom were all hugged up, cozy and everything last night in line at Tony Luke’s getting cheesesteaks.”
     
    The water sliding down Karen’s throat ended up going down her windpipe as she gasped in a breath of air. Hearing her sister’s sputtering and choking, Starr became concerned. “Are you okay?”
     
    Wiping her mouth with the back of her hand, she nodded her head as if Starr could see her. “Yeah, I’m okay.” Whoever saw her and Dom hadn’t gotten their story wrong. The cold December night air had them snuggled up. Karen