Treasured Legacies (A Mary O'Reilly Paranormal Mystery) Read Free Page A

the truth.”
    Leaning over and placing a soft kiss on the child’s
forehead, Mary said, “No, I love you. And not because you are
Bradley’s daughter, but because you are you.”
    “Really?” she asked, turning to Mike, skepticism evident in
her eyes.
    “Angel’s honor,” Mike said, crossing his finger over his
heart.
    She turned and looked at Mary. “Really?” she asked again.
    Mary nodded. “Yes, really,” she said. “But you don’t have to
take my word on it. Watch me and let me prove it.”
    “I think that’s fair,” Bradley added.
    Clarissa sat quietly for a moment and then asked, “So does
that mean you’re going to let me do anything I want to do?”
    Mike laughed out loud. “Working all the angles, aren’t you?”
    Chuckling, Mary placed her hand on Clarissa’s head and
tousled her hair. “Not a chance,” she said. “Loving someone doesn’t mean they
give you everything.”
    Sighing, Clarissa nodded. “Yeah, that’s what Mrs. Brennan
says too.”
    “Well, if Mrs. Brennan agrees, then I must be doing
something right,” she said.   “But I know
we still have a lot of things to work out, so I’m going to call a friend of
mine and see what we should be doing to help us become a better family.”
    “Okay,” Clarissa agreed. “That sounds like a good idea.”
    “Yes, it does,” Bradley said. “We all need to help,
including me.”
    “Good!” Mary replied, standing up quickly.   She grabbed the table as a sudden rush of
dizziness hit her.   The room started to
tilt and she felt lightheaded.
    Bradley jumped to his feet and was immediately at her side.
“Mary?” he asked. “What’s wrong?”
    Mike glided over to the other side of her. “Hey, champ, take
it easy.”
    Taking a deep breath, she lowered herself slowly back into
the chair. “I just think I stood up too fast,” she said. “I just got a little
dizzy, that’s all.”
    “I’m taking you to the hospital,” Bradley said.
    “Yeah, because that’s her favorite place in the whole wide
world,” Mike murmured.
    Chuckling, Mary shook her head. “No, really, I’m fine,” she
replied. “Because of the medication, I’ve been off of caffeine for a couple of
days; I’m sure that’s it.   Just a little
light-leaded, that’s all.”
    Bradley was not mollified. “Have you eaten anything?” he
asked, as he poured a glass of milk and placed it before her.
    “She hasn’t,” Clarissa chimed in. “She’s been busy doing
other stuff.”
    Bradley turned to his daughter. “I think it’s time we do
some stuff for Mary,” he said. “What do you think?”
    She smiled. “I think it’s a great idea,” she agreed.
    “Okay, Mary, what would you like for breakfast?” Bradley
asked.
    Sweet and sour chicken ,
Mary thought and then said, “Toast with strawberry preserves.”
    “I can make that,” Clarissa exclaimed, hopping out of her
chair and dashing to the toaster.
    Bradley sat down next to Mary. “Okay, tell me how you really
feel,” he said softly.
    “Kind of silly,” Mary admitted. “But, fine, really. I just
need to take things a little slower right now.”
    “Yes, your body needs time to adjust,” he replied.
    “Adjust?” she repeated. Did he know about the baby?
    “Yes, you need to adjust to being back on your feet after
being in bed all weekend.”
    Nodding slowly, she exhaled softly. “Yes, you’re right,” she
agreed. “That’s probably it.”
    “Can I get you a Diet Pepsi?” he asked.
    Shaking her head sadly, she said, “No, since I’ve been off
caffeine all weekend and I survived, this is probably a good time to start
cutting back. But I’d love some herb tea.”
    “You’ve got it,” he said.
    Mary turned and watched Bradley and Clarissa hurry around the
kitchen, making breakfast for her and a lump formed in her throat.  
    “So, what is it you’re not telling us?” Mike whispered.
    She smiled up at him and shook her head. “I’m good,” she
replied.
    He looked at her, and