Page 50 of Shadow

Dear God, please let there be real coffee in there?

“But she started it!” Charity shot back.

“I did not!”

“Charity,” I said sweetly. “You hurt Hope’s feelings. She worked really hard to make breakfast for everyone this morning. Are you volunteering to make breakfast tomorrow morning?”

Charity sat up straight, lightly shaking her head. “Sorry,Hope.”

Leaning against the counter, Faith whispered, “I saw what you just did.”

I smirked. “Promise to keep my secret?”

“As long as you promise not to break my brother’s heart,” Faith countered.

Measuring out the coffee grounds, I muttered, “I don’t know what you mean?”

“I saw the way he looked at you last night. He likes you and I think you like him, too.”

“It’s not like that between us. He’s helping me with a personal matter.”

“Your father,” Faith nodded. “I know. I snooped around on the computer. Gotta say your father better pray Zeke doesn’t find him. My brother isn’t nice to men like him.”

“That’s what I’m counting on,” I quickly said, moving to the sink to fill the pitcher up with water.

“Okay,” Charity piped up happily, walking back into the kitchen. “I’m off ladies. If you need me, I’ll be in my she-shed making up a new batch of lotions. You coming, Nevil?”

“Right behind you, babe.”

“Guess I’ll look up the online orders. Then I need to head to the post office. Faith, when I get back, I’m going to need some rosemary and lemongrass. I want to try out a new brownie recipe.”

“Sure thing,” Faith said, taking a seat at the kitchen table.

As the kitchen cleared, I stood watching the coffeemaker brew the heavenly dark brew. I didn’t want to talk to Faith. She was a sweet woman, but I barely knew her. Plus, I was a little miffed that Shadow left my personal information out for anyone to find.

“I didn’t mean to pry. Don’t be angry with Zeke.”

“I’m not angry.”

Faith laughed. “God, you are just like him. You can’t lie either.”

Turning to face the woman, I said, “Alright, fine. I lied. I’m pissed. I barely know any of you, and you know my darkest secrets.”

“Joan, I can be pushy,” Faith said contritely, as she added. “I know that. I didn’t mean to upset you. To even the playing field, you should know our lives are not that different.”

“Really?” I snarked. “Did your father rape you, too?”

“No,” Faith said flatly. “My brother did and then got me pregnant.”

Dropping into a chair, I reached across the table and grabbed her hands. “Oh God, Faith. I didn’t know. I’m so sorry.”

“It’s okay. That’s what I’m trying to say. I’m just doing a piss-poor job of it. We all have a past, Joan. Me, you, Zeke, even Hope. But we don’t talk about it. None of us do. Do you know I listen to your radio show every night? You are amazing. You help so many people, yet you don’t talk about yourself. Why? I tried to look you up once on the station’s website, but there was nothing about you. Not even a picture.”

“I can’t take the chance of my father finding me.”

“Going to assume because you’re here, he already did?”

I nodded.

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