Secrets in Battle: Secrets of Savannah Series Book 3 Read Free Page A

would believe it anyway?
    That’s the reason it’s so important that I get through nursing school . I need something to support myself. I need to get out of this house and put distance between us.
    I look in the mirror again. The secret life of rich people, what a fucking joke.
    I throw a swimsuit and a change of clothes in a bag . Then I make my way downstairs to the kitchen to make a cup of coffee.
    Great , my mother is in here, another person I try to avoid.
    “Annabelle, please tell me you aren’t leaving the house dressed like that?”
    “Yes, I’m going to a cookout. Most people dress very casual for a cookout.”
    She looks like she just drank sour grapefruit juice or something . “What people? Hobos and white trash?”
    “I’m going to the Abbott ’s house.”
    She shakes her head . “Oh, too bad you let Scarlet snatch up Ryder, he’d be a heck of a catch.”
    “Mom , a year ago you said he was nothing but an embarrassing male whore.”
    “Well, he’s grown up.”
    “Yes, because of Scarlet. He loves her. Besides, I could never be with Ryder.”  I laugh.
    “You have dark circles under your eyes.”
    “Yes, it comes with lack of sleep. I worked a twelve hour shift last night.”  My God, is this coffee ever going to brew?
    “Like I’ve said before , if you’d find a nice young man to take care of you, working wouldn’t be something you’d have to worry about.”
    “Mom , as I’ve said to you before, I don’t want a man to take care of me. That’s not the kind of relationship I want. I want to be an equal partner, not a dependent.”
    “Oh , so you think I’m dependent on your father?”
    “Yes . What would you do if you didn’t have dad? What kind of job would you do?”
    As I’m finally pouring coffee in my cup, she throws her hands up and storms out of the kitchen.
    I make my way out to my car and leave for Scarlet’s. Ten minutes later, I’m pulling up in front of the house. I hear the noise from out back so I know everyone is already here. I let myself in the front door.
    I hear what sounds like weights moving in the den area . I walk through the doors to see Judd on a rowing machine.
    I give a small wave . “Hey.”
    He nods and exhales . “Hey.”
    “It sounds like everyone is out back . What are you doing in here?”
    Wiping his chest with a towel , he looks up. “Just getting a little exercise in before I go out there.”
    I nod , feeling uncomfortable. “Oh, okay. Well I’ll just leave you to it then. I’ll go on out back.”  I point as I’m walking toward the door.
    “Hey , Princess?”
    I turn around . “Yeah?”
    “It’s great seeing you.”
    I give him a half smile. “Yeah, you, too.” I say as I walk through the house to go out back.

 
    Chapter 3
     

    Damn, seeing my Princess for the first time since coming home makes me a little nervous. I promised that girl I’d come back to her and I almost didn’t. She hasn’t been over here since I’ve been home. Then again, I didn’t call her or let her visit while I was still at the VA Hospital recovering, either.
    I take a quick shower, get dressed , and make my way outside for the cookout. I know my Mom and Nana have been fussing over it for the past few days. Ryder has been great this past week. He’s tried to give me my space, but also make sure I’m never alone.
    “There he is!”  Greer shouts from the other side of the pool.
    I throw my hand up to wave and carefully make my way down the back steps. I’m doing pretty well with my walking, the doc cleared me to ditch the crutches. I just tire out pretty quickly. My mom comes up and gives me a kiss on the cheek.
    “You okay , honey? Do you need to sit down?”
    I shake my head . “No Momma, I’m fine.”
    I walk over where my Dad and Ryder are standing by the grill. Ryder reaches in the cooler and hands me a beer. I nod, taking it from him. “Thanks, man.”
    “No problem.”  He nods his head toward my Princess in a very tiny bikini