The Summer of Our Discontent Read Online Free

shit. Other women did, though—many other women.
    Faith’s big dark eyes and nearly black silky hair were an attention grabber, the pouty red lips were known to make promises that Faith never seemed to keep. Her front door should’ve been made into the revolving kind because she moved them in and out quickly. Rachel looked away when Faith turned and caught her staring.
    She collected her paperwork and walked out of the ER, her stomach growling for lunch. She’d just opened the door to her car when Faith caught up with her. “Hey, we have a problem.”
    “What would that be?” Rachel asked as she draped an arm over the frame.
    “My niece and your daughter.”
    Rachel pursed her lips. “I assume you’re going to elaborate.”
    “Patty just went through an ugly divorce. She doesn’t need any more drama in her life. Sophie’s already asking her to spend the night with Kaycee, so that means Patty wants to get to know you. Be nice to her.”
    “Or what?”
    Faith squared her shoulders. “You may have a gun on your hip, but I can still whip your ass.”
    Rachel shook her head and smiled. “Still a punk-ass brat. I can’t imagine how they let you in the fire department. Your body is almost forty, but your brain is still only six.”
    Faith’s face flushed red beneath a mop of dark wet hair. “I’ve had a really busy morning, and I’m in no mood for shit.”
    “Then don’t start any. You could’ve begun this conversation a dozen different ways, but you chose to go on the offensive. You’re demanding that I be nice while you’re being a dick. Can’t say that I’m motivated to honor your request.”
    “You can be your usual obnoxious self to me, but I’m asking you to give my sister a break.”
    Rachel smiled as she climbed into her car. “That won’t be a problem as long as she doesn’t act like you.”
    Faith glared at her as she drove away with her smug smile half hidden behind dark glasses. Having to share the same town with Rachel Chauvin was the bane of her existence. It grated her to no end that some fool had actually entrusted her with a real gun.
    Alvin Sibley walked up and handed Faith her radio. “Did you run the hot bitch off?”
    “You think she’s hot?”
    “She’s female, and she ain’t married or knocked up, and even though that sexy mouth of hers is always spewing insults, I’d do her. She’s got a great ass and those bright green eyes. I could fist my hands in that long hair and—”
    “Shut up, you’re making me sick. The reasons why are endless. What’s for lunch?”

Chapter Four

    “You look tired. How’s Wilda?”
    “You heard,” Rachel said as she kissed her mother on the cheek.
    “It’s the hot topic in town.” Bev Chauvin rinsed the last of the dishes she was washing and put the plate into the drain basket. “It’s just a miracle that she and Gavin weren’t seriously hurt.”
    “Oh, he’s hurting, all right. It’s painful to see a grown man cry. He loved that truck.” Rachel opened the fridge and pulled out a soda. “You’re right, though. It’s miraculous that both of them walked away with only bruises. Where’s my baby?”
    Bev pointed toward the kitchen window at the tree house where Kaycee and Sophie were hanging upside down from a low-hanging branch. “They’ve been playing hard all afternoon, and they both smell like wet dogs. Kaycee doesn’t want to go to school tomorrow because it’s only a half day.”
    “And miss the year-end party?” Rachel asked in shock. “She must be totally smitten.”
    Bev brushed away a lock of pure white hair from her face as she watched the girls with a smile. Her green eyes always seemed to light up when she regarded her granddaughter. “Sophie showed up with a bullfrog she caught in the ditch and offered it to Kaycee. His name is Kip, and he’s in that cardboard box by the swing. Let the poor thing out when you bring her in for the night.”
    “Nothing says friendship like a shared frog. I just wish