Love Becomes Her - Donna Hill Mills & Boon Kimani

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knew that if she’d ever had children she would have spoiled them rotten and bragged about them to everyone who would listen. Ann Marie, on the other hand…

      The doorbell chimed.

      Ann Marie held a large tray in her hands and the mouthwatering aroma seeping out from beneath the foil made Barbara’s stomach knot in anticipation. If there was one thing Ann Marie could do and do well, it was cook. The girl put her foot in it every time. And right behind her was Elizabeth.

      Elizabeth hurried in with her tray, as well. “Red velvet cake tonight, ladies.”

      “Oh my. What’s the occasion?” Barbara stepped aside to let her friends in. “You only do red velvet for something major.” She shut the door and the bell rang again. She snatched it back open.

      “Damn, just close the door in my face. I know I only bring wine but I still can beat all y’all in spades.”

      Barbara laughed. “Sorry, girl, I didn’t see you.”

      “Yeah, yeah.” She stepped in and took off her Burberry trench coat and hung it up on the rack in the hall.

      She looks much better than this morning, Barbara quickly observed, shutting the door for the final time. Maybe it was just the rain that had her looking so out of sorts. She went into the living room where Ann Marie and Ellie were already seated around the coffee table, snacking on celery sticks and dip.

      “Y’all don’t waste any time,” Steph said, announcing her arrival, then taking a seat next to Ellie on the couch. She reached for a carrot. “How’s everyone doing?” She took a delicate bite and looked from one woman to the next.

      Ellie sighed.

      Ann Marie sucked her teeth and rolled her eyes.

      “Damn, what did I do?” Stephanie asked.

      “Nothing,” they muttered in unison.

      Steph glanced up at Barbara for some kind of hint as to what was going on, but Barbara only shrugged in response. “I’ll get the wine.”

      “Bring plenty,” Ellie said.

      Ann Marie got up and followed Barbara into the kitchen. She lowered her voice. “Don’t say nutin’ to dem about Raquel just yet. Okay?”

      Barbara looked at her, perplexed. “Fine, but why not?”

      “Me really don’t wan’ talk ’bout it tonight. Still too pissed and upset.”

      “Annie, it really—”

      Ellie walked in. “What’s taking so long? And what are you two whispering about?”

      “Nutin’.” Ann Marie took two bottles of wine and the ice bucket then walked out.

      Ellie watched her leave. “What’s with her?”

      “I wish I knew.” She put her hands on her hips. “The question is, what’s with you? What was that phone call about this morning? You had me worried.”

      “I can’t talk about it right now.” Her eyes suddenly filled and she sniffed loudly. “It’s just so fucking awful.” Her mouth trembled and she covered it with her hand.

      That was the second time in one day that Ellie had cursed. It was something she didn’t do and it sounded like a foreign language coming out of her mouth.

      “Ell.” She put her hand on Elizabeth’s shoulder. “What is it, sweetie?”

      She just shook her head. Just then, Stephanie burst into the room.

      “Ann Marie forgot the Coors. Are they in the freezer? You know I like mine icy cold,” Steph chattered, oblivious to the cloud of tension in the room.

      Ellie sucked in a breath and darted for the bathroom down the hall.

      Steph frowned then put her hands on her hips. “What is wrong with everybody tonight? Feel like I’m at a wake and no one told me.”

      “Probably the crappy weather.”

      “I guess.” Steph sounded unconvinced. She stepped closer to Barbara. “Listen, about this morning. I’d really appreciate it if you didn’t say anything to the girls.”

      “Wouldn’t think of it,” Barbara said. What’s one more secret among friends?

      Chapter 3

      Ann Marie dealt the first hand of spades while the ladies ate, drank and drank some more. Before the first game was finished, two bottles of wine were empty and Stephanie was on her third bottle of Coors. They were on a roll.

      “Somebody up in here is cheatin’,” Ellie said, then began to giggle.

      “I don’t see what’s so funny. I’m losing,” Stephanie grumbled. “Think I’m being taken advantage of.” She turned the empty bottle up to her lips, frowned then looked around for another one. Not finding one, she pushed herself up out of the chair, stumbled once, righted herself and headed for the kitchen. “The rest of the wine out here?” she yelled.

      “In the fridge. And bring some more ice,” Barbara called out.

      Ann Marie got up. “I’ll help before her drunk behind breaks something.” She zigzagged her way to the kitchen.

      Barbara looked across the table at Ellie. They broke out laughing. Just another Friday night with the girls. A time to let their hair down and act the fool without recriminations.

      “Good to see you laughing, Ell. You had me worried.” She finished the last of her wine.

      Suddenly, as if someone had slapped her, Ellie howled in some kind of agony that scared the hell out of Barbara and had Stephanie and Ann Marie falling all over each other to get into the living room.

      “What happened?” they screeched. They turned accusing eyes on Barbara, who was stunned into open-mouthed and wide-eyed silence as Ellie bawled and railed like a baby.

      Ellie jumped up from the table, nearly falling down in the process. She grabbed the edge of the table to keep from going face-first on the floor.

      Barbara hurried to her side. “Ell, calm down. What is it? Tell me, honey.” She put her arms around her and led her to the couch.

      Stephanie and Ann Marie sat on the floor at Ellie’s feet.

      “What got you so twisted, chile?” Ann Marie cooed, patting Ellie’s knee.

      Stephanie patted the other knee. “You can tell us.”

      Ellie sniffed hard, her body shuddering. “He… he… The bastard!”

      “Who? What bastard?” Ann Marie asked.

      “Matt!”

      “Matthew? Your husband?” Stephanie asked.

      Ellie nodded her head hard. “Don’t say his name.”

      The three women looked at each other in confusion.

      Barbara sat down next to Elizabeth. “Ell, just tell us what’s wrong. Maybe we can help.”

      “No one can help me. No one.” She covered her face with her hands and cried harder.

      “Oh, damn, she’s drunk,” Steph said.

      “Oh, shut up. So are you.” Ann Marie patted Ellie’s knee a little harder.

      “I know that.” Stephanie said with conviction. “What’s your excuse?”

      “What!” Ann Marie tried to stand up and couldn’t. “You want a fat lip?”

      “Who’s gonna give it to me, you?” Stephanie started to giggle. “Take off those damn high heels and I’ll just step over you and be done with it.” She laughed harder.

      Barbara cringed. Ann Marie hated nothing more than to be taunted about her height.

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