To Breathe Again Read Online Free Page B

kissed Rachel on the cheek.
    “I have a crotchet class with my friends this evening. You’ll have the place to yourselves.” She touched Kelsey’s cheek.
    “You don’t need to thank me, Rachel. I’d do anything for Shaun, just as I know he’d do anything for me.”
    Rachel nodded. “I think I should go and lie down for a bit. This news took a lot out of me. Choose what you want to cook, though, and I’ll get the ingredients for you in an hour.”
    “That’s not necessary. Go and take a nap. I’ll go to the Shop ‘n’ Carry across the street. If I don’t find what I’m looking for, I’ll let you know.”
    “Okay.” Rachel shuffled out, her feet barely lifting off the ground.
    Kelsey put the recipe book down and leaned against the counter, covering her face with her hands. She forced herself to breathe.
     
     

Chapter Ten
     
    Kelsey hummed to herself as she pushed her shopping cart down the produce aisle. She was on the search for fresh chili peppers to make chili con carne.
    She had just picked up a bag of peppers when the hairs on the back of her neck stood up. Someone was watching her.
    She turned to find two snooty-looking, elegantly dressed women with expensive-looking strollers staring directly at her, not making any attempt to hide the fact that they were gossiping about her.
    She flashed back to the day Shaun had taken her to the farmer’s market in Dreara. Her lips twitched with a smile that she wiped off immediately. There was nothing funny about this situation. These women were rude. Lifting her chin, she turned her whole front toward them and stared right back, arms crossed over her chest.
    They smirked and wheeled their strollers away.
    Kelsey exhaled and continued her shopping. It quickly became clear the women with the strollers weren’t the only ones who found her interesting. Several other people at the store threw her disapproving looks. For God’s sake, was this bloody high school? She ignored them and pretended she didn’t care, but she had to admit she was getting uncomfortable.
    When a young couple actually pointed at her, she threw everything else she needed into her cart and rushed to the checkout line. She placed her products on the conveyer belt and waited for the cashier, a woman with long braids, to finish with the old lady in front of Kelsey.
    When Kelsey’s turn came, she pulled out her purse. But the cashier looked down the queue, as if Kelsey weren’t even there. She put on a bright red-lipped smile and turned to the next person in line. “Next, please.”
    The woman behind Kelsey pushed passed and placed her products at the front of the belt.
    “What are you doing? I was in front of you.” Kelsey gaped at the woman, then turned to the cashier. “I’m standing right in front of you. Don’t you see me?”
    The woman shrugged and her smile transformed into a snarl. “We don’t serve murderer’s whores,” she spat, and began scanning the next customer’s carton of milk.
    Kelsey’s skin prickled and her cheeks burned. “Did you just call me a whore?”
    “That’s right.” The woman didn’t bother looking over at Kelsey.
    This situation called for her dark side. “Well, I think you’re a bitch. And you’re working in the wrong place. You’re taking someone’s place—someone who would treat customers with respect.”
    Leaving behind a wake of gasps and whispers, she left her groceries right there on the belt. The bitch can go and put them back herself.
    She stormed out, swallowing her tears, feeling the pang of rejection Shaun must have been all too familiar with. She wandered the streets for half an hour until a bakery caught her eye. Mel’s Delights. She’d heard Shaun mention it some time ago. She’d get herself a nice cup of tea and some doughnuts for comfort. If they agreed to serve her, of course.
    She pushed open the door, which gave a little chime. There were no other customers in the bakery. The woman behind the counter had a smile on her