A Mother Scorned Read online

Page 2


  “So … it’s not possible I did it?”

  “Anything’s possible,” said Lisa. “But it’s doubtful. I think it would be a good thing for you to see a therapist, too. Obviously, there are some issues you need to work on. You’ve lived this past year for Maggie and your devotion has helped her recovery tremendously. But it’s time to focus on your needs.”

  “I’ll think about it.”

  “Call me when you’ve decided. I have several excellent peers who’d work with you.”

  “Thanks, Lisa.”

  I knew it wouldn’t be too long before I heard from Mark again. Call it a houseperson’s intuition. I dropped Maggie off at school along with 32 gooey chocolate-chip cookies, indulged in a Starbuck’s Mocha Latte, and stopped by the bank to pay the mortgage. When I got home, there was a message from Mark on the answering machine. His message was short, but his tone held an ominous note. I didn’t want to call him, but I dialed his direct line before I chickened out.

  “I’m coming by to see you, Josie. It’s about Ted.”

  He refused to give more details. I couldn’t think straight and the mocha latte lost its caffeine charm. I threw it away and did the dishes. Then I wiped down the counters in the kitchen. I was just deciding whether I or not I should alphabetize the soup cans when Mark arrived. We sat at the kitchen table, the same table that had held my grief and my sorrow for so long.

  “We found his head in the river.”

  Bile rose in my throat. “H-his head?”

  “Yes. It was bashed and broken, but dental records confirm the identity of the skull.”

  “How did you…”

  “Lucky break when we were dragging the river. Finding a skull should’ve been damned near impossible in the murky water, but a diver came up with it.”

  “It’s him.”

  Mark nodded.

  “He’s dead. He’s really dead.”

  “It looks like the shovel we found was the murder weapon. We found some matching metal fibers in the bones.”

  “Who did it? Who killed him?”

  “We don’t know, Josie. I doubt we’ll ever know. There’s not enough evidence to connect anyone to the crime.”

  “Where’s the rest of his body?”

  Mark’s gaze pierced me. “The head had been severed, Josie. The body might have been dumped somewhere else.”

  Relief and anger welled up at the same time. I cried. I wasn’t sorry he was dead. Not a goddamned bit. But I’d never get the chance to make him pay for molesting our daughter and taking pictures and putting the photos on the Internet for the entire perverted world to see.

  “You know how he got Maggie to be still and quiet?”

  “Yes.”

  “With the bear. Her favorite bear.” And two-piece Teddy was finally buried in the backyard where he could never again be a reminder of her demented father.

  “It wasn’t your fault. You didn’t know.”

  “I don’t deserve your compassion,” I said, my hands fluttering against the table like trapped birds. “I don’t deserve her forgiveness.”

  “Yes, you do, Josie.” Mark grabbed my hands and squeezed. “Yes, you do.”

  He sat with me while I cried. He didn’t tell me platitudes or offer false comfort. He just let me grieve, grieve for Maggie, for me, and, yes, even for Ted.

  When I was finished, we talked about mundane subjects like the weather and how to make a peach cobbler, and if I should cremate Ted’s broken skull or bury it in a cemetery. Finally, Mark patted my hands, and rose. “My wife wondered if you’d be willing to give up a tomato or two. She says those ’maters are the best she’s ever eaten.” He looked at me, a question in his eyes. “Must be something in the soil.”

  I led him to the garden and let him pick out as many tomatoes as he wanted. He filled a small bucket then stood and looked around the garden. He toed the earth with cop shoes. “It’s amazing what you can do with the right tools and a little determination.”

  “Yeah,” I said, looking at my sanctuary with satisfaction. “Growing something this beautiful and wholesome and good from such a rotten piece of dirt. It’s a miracle.”

  Don’t miss out on free reads, contests, and exclusive content. Sign up today for Michele’s newsletter.

  * * *

  www.MicheleBardsley.com/newsletter

  Wanna hang out with me? Join Michele’s Book Babes on Facebook!

  * * *

  https://www.facebook.com/groups/michelebardsleyfanclub/

  About the Author

  Michele Bardsley is a New York Times and USA Today bestselling author of paranormal romance. When she’s not writing sexy tales of otherworldly love, she watches “Supernatural,” consumes chocolate, crochets hats and headbands, reads books, and spends time with her husband and their fur babies.

  www.MicheleBardsley.com

  Copyright © 2015 by Michele Freeman. All rights reserved.

  No part of this book may be reproduced in any form or by any electronic or mechanical means, including information storage and retrieval systems, without written permission from the author, except for the use of brief quotations in a book review.

  Any trademarks, service marks, product names or named features are assumed to be the property of their respective owners, and are used only for reference. There is no implied endorsement from the author of this work.

  All characters in this book have no existence outside the imagination of the author, and have no relation whatever to anyone bearing the same name or names. All incidents are pure invention.

  Created with Vellum

 

 

  Michele Bardsley, A Mother Scorned

 

 

  Thank you for reading books on Archive.BookFrom.Net
Share this book with friends

    Your Lycan or Mine? Read onlineYour Lycan or Mine?Because Your Vampire Said So Read onlineBecause Your Vampire Said SoWait Till Your Vampire Gets Home Read onlineWait Till Your Vampire Gets HomeGetting in the Spirit (Violetta Graves Mysteries) Read onlineGetting in the Spirit (Violetta Graves Mysteries)Come Hell or High Water Read onlineCome Hell or High WaterGoing Wild: Wolves on the Prowl: The Complete Collection Read onlineGoing Wild: Wolves on the Prowl: The Complete CollectionA Spirited Defense (Violetta Graves Mysteries Book 2) Read onlineA Spirited Defense (Violetta Graves Mysteries Book 2)Sassy Ever After: All About That Sass (Kindle Worlds Novella) (The Pride Commands Book 1) Read onlineSassy Ever After: All About That Sass (Kindle Worlds Novella) (The Pride Commands Book 1)Some Lycan Hot Read onlineSome Lycan HotNow or Never: Wizards of Nevermore Read onlineNow or Never: Wizards of NevermoreLove Gone Wild: A Contemporary Romantic Comedy Read onlineLove Gone Wild: A Contemporary Romantic ComedyJack-O-Lantern: Haunted by You Read onlineJack-O-Lantern: Haunted by YouThe Pack Rules 1: Chosen by the Alpha (Hot Werewolf Shifter Romance Serial) Read onlineThe Pack Rules 1: Chosen by the Alpha (Hot Werewolf Shifter Romance Serial)Broken Heart: Visitor's Pass (Paranormal Boxed Set) (Broken Heart Paranormal Series Book 0) Read onlineBroken Heart: Visitor's Pass (Paranormal Boxed Set) (Broken Heart Paranormal Series Book 0)The Pack Rules 2: Taken by the Alpha (Hot Werewolf Shifter Romance Serial) Read onlineThe Pack Rules 2: Taken by the Alpha (Hot Werewolf Shifter Romance Serial)Valentine's Day Sucks Read onlineValentine's Day SucksThe Werewolf’s Bride: The Pack Rules #1 Read onlineThe Werewolf’s Bride: The Pack Rules #1Sassy Ever After: I'll Sass If I Want To (Kindle Worlds Novella) (The Pride Commands Book 3) Read onlineSassy Ever After: I'll Sass If I Want To (Kindle Worlds Novella) (The Pride Commands Book 3)Magic and Mayhem: Sh*t My Witch Says (Kindle Worlds Novella) (Witches Gone Wild Book 1) Read onlineMagic and Mayhem: Sh*t My Witch Says (Kindle Worlds Novella) (Witches Gone Wild Book 1)Diary of a Demon Hunter 4: Doubly Dying Read onlineDiary of a Demon Hunter 4: Doubly DyingMust Love Lycans Read onlineMust Love LycansI'm the Vampire, That's Why Read onlineI'm the Vampire, That's WhyOnly Lycans Need Apply Read onlineOnly Lycans Need ApplyYou’ll Understand When You’re Dead: Broken Heart Vampires Book 12 Read onlineYou’ll Understand When You’re Dead: Broken Heart Vampires Book 12Harry Little, Leprechaun Read onlineHarry Little, LeprechaunWhite Hot Holidays 26: A Taste Of Honey Read onlineWhite Hot Holidays 26: A Taste Of HoneyA Few Good Fantasies Read onlineA Few Good FantasiesLycan on the Edge: Broken Heart Book 13 Read onlineLycan on the Edge: Broken Heart Book 13Magic and Mayhem: Sh*t My Shifter Says (Kindle Worlds Novella) (Witches Gone Wild Book 2) Read onlineMagic and Mayhem: Sh*t My Shifter Says (Kindle Worlds Novella) (Witches Gone Wild Book 2)Magic and Mayhem: Sh*t My Vampire Says (Kindle Worlds Novella) (Witches Gone Wild Book 3) Read onlineMagic and Mayhem: Sh*t My Vampire Says (Kindle Worlds Novella) (Witches Gone Wild Book 3)Magic and Mayhem: Sh*t My Zombie Says (Kindle Worlds Novella) (Witches Gone Wild Book 4) Read onlineMagic and Mayhem: Sh*t My Zombie Says (Kindle Worlds Novella) (Witches Gone Wild Book 4)Never Again Read onlineNever AgainHoliday Bites: A Collection of Vampire Paranormal Romances Read onlineHoliday Bites: A Collection of Vampire Paranormal RomancesCross Your Heart: A Broken Heart Novel Read onlineCross Your Heart: A Broken Heart NovelIn Good Spirits (Violetta Graves Mysteries) Read onlineIn Good Spirits (Violetta Graves Mysteries)Melanie Unmasked Read onlineMelanie UnmaskedCross Your Heart Read onlineCross Your HeartDon't Talk Back To Your Vampire Read onlineDon't Talk Back To Your VampireStocking Stuffer: Christmas for Eve Read onlineStocking Stuffer: Christmas for EveThe Dragon Spy (The Lone Shifters Book 1) Read onlineThe Dragon Spy (The Lone Shifters Book 1)The Pack Rules 3: Ruled by the Alpha (Werewolf Romance Serial) Read onlineThe Pack Rules 3: Ruled by the Alpha (Werewolf Romance Serial)Magical Acts: (Skeleton Key) Read onlineMagical Acts: (Skeleton Key)1. Earth Pack Rules: Her Alpha Lovers Part One Read online1. Earth Pack Rules: Her Alpha Lovers Part OneAmazing Grace Read onlineAmazing GraceAdventures of Zombie Larry Read onlineAdventures of Zombie Larry2. Earth Pack Rules: Her Alpha Lovers Part Two Read online2. Earth Pack Rules: Her Alpha Lovers Part TwoOver My Dead Body Read onlineOver My Dead BodyThe Pack Rules Boxed Set: The Complete Series of Wolf, Bear, and Dragon Shifter Romances Read onlineThe Pack Rules Boxed Set: The Complete Series of Wolf, Bear, and Dragon Shifter RomancesBroken Heart Town 2 - Don't Talk Back to Your Vampire Read onlineBroken Heart Town 2 - Don't Talk Back to Your VampireSassy Ever After: All By My Sass (Kindle Worlds Novella) (The Pride Command Book 2) Read onlineSassy Ever After: All By My Sass (Kindle Worlds Novella) (The Pride Command Book 2)Alphas Unwrapped: 21 New Steamy Paranormal Tales of Shifters, Vampires, Werewolves, Dragons, Witches, Angels, Demons, Fey, and More Read onlineAlphas Unwrapped: 21 New Steamy Paranormal Tales of Shifters, Vampires, Werewolves, Dragons, Witches, Angels, Demons, Fey, and MoreBroken Heart Tails (Broken Heart Vampires) Read onlineBroken Heart Tails (Broken Heart Vampires)Frisky Business Read onlineFrisky Business