The Secret of Isobel Key Read Free

out of Logan on Monday, so we figured we’d head back to Boston on Sunday to give ourselves time to check everything. Thank you again,” she smiled at her father. “This was such a nice surprise!”
    Her dad grinned. “Anything for you, princess. Consider this your graduation gift!”
    Lou smiled. “Thanks, Dad.”
    â€œYes, about your graduation. Have you decided what you’ll do now?”
    Lou faced her mother with a sigh. “I’m not sure, Mom. Right now, I just want to focus on getting ready for this trip.”
    Her mom sighed and got up from the table.
    â€œâ€˜Atta girl.” Her dad swished his drink a couple of times. “Can I get you a drink, sweetie?”
    â€œShe’ll be having plenty of whiskey in a few days, Todd. Leave the girl alone.” Lou’s mother came back into the room and set a plate of veggies and cheese in front of her daughter, before resuming her seat at the head of the table. “So what do you girls have planned for this little excursion?”
    Lou paused, chewing quickly and swallowing a stale mouthful of celery. “We’re going to be in Edinburgh, since that’s where Tammy’s great-aunt lives, but she’s booked us on a tour of the Highlands.”
    Her dad leaned back with a chuckle. “Ah, the Highlands. Full of romance and kilted men. If you meet Rob Roy, give him my regards!”
    Lou smiled warmly at her dad. “I’ll do that, Dad.”
    â€œLouisa, don’t talk with your mouth full.” Her mother’s voice was sharp.
    Gulping, Lou reached for a glass of water and took a quick swallow. “Sorry.”
    She chewed in silence, acutely aware of the way her mother was scrutinizing her, and suddenly, Lou lost her appetite.
    She forced a yawn. “I’m really worn out. Think I’ll turn in.”
    Hugging her father and kissing her mother on the cheek, Lou turned toward the stairs but her mother’s voice stopped her.
    â€œI do hope you’ll be able to attend mass with us on Sunday.”
    Lou chose her words carefully. “Tammy is picking me up early on Sunday, Mother.”
    Her mother shrugged. “We’ll just have to go to Saturday service, then.” Knowing it was futile to argue, Lou just nodded.

Chapter Three
    By Saturday morning, Lou was seriously questioning her decision to come home, and church that evening didn’t help.
    Sitting in the familiar wooden pew between her parents, Lou flexed her fingers and tried to ignore the droning priest. She’d always felt slightly uncomfortable in their Catholic church, and recently her discomfort had shifted into a quest for a faith that felt less judgmental. Lou had stopped identifying herself as Catholic two years ago, but she hadn’t been able to tell her parents. She wanted to fiddle with her silver pentacle, worn on a long chord and hidden beneath her shirt, but she felt her mother’s sharp eyes on her. As the choir began to sing a hymn, Lou seriously doubted that she’d ever tell her parents about the new faith that she had stumbled into in college. Glancing at her mother’s serious face beside her, Lou shook her head slightly. No, she wasn’t ready to have that conversation yet. It was easier to just go to mass when she was home and avoid confrontation.
    When her family queued up to take the host, Lou hung back. She was willing to attend church for the sake of appearances, but she felt like she’d be insulting the faithful if she took communion. When her mother gripped her elbow tightly and tried to tow her along, Lou whispered, “I haven’t been to confession in months.”
    It worked. Her mother shot her a terse frown that said they’d talk about this issue later, but she released her grip on Lou. As she knelt alone in the pew, Lou lifted her eyes to the ceiling of the church. While those around her looked down in submission, Lou prayed to her gods for the