Under the Covers Read Free Page A

slapped her hand on her thigh. "Oh, my gosh."
    "I have to find Lenny," Abby whispered in a weak voice.
    "Where is he?"
    "I don't know. He left on a business trip three weeks ago and I haven't heard from him since."
    Chelsea raised an eyebrow as the announcer gained speed. "Mr. Milano has also been accused of conning couples out of their retirement money by offering them vacation packages at another resort in Tennessee, a resort that sources have proven doesn't exist. Milano was released earlier on bail, but law-enforcement officials report that he has disappeared and may be headed out of the country. If you have any idea of his whereabouts, please contact your local police."
    "I can't believe it," Abby whispered in shock. "Lenny and I are—"
    "Living in sin," Chelsea chirped, twisting her crystal necklace between blue fingernails.
    Abby's chest constricted. "We're: not married."
    The doorbell rang and Abby shot off the sofa, sloshing the cold drink all over her bare thigh.
    Chelsea dropped her fingers from the clear crystal. "You want me to get it?"
    Tears threatening, Abby grabbed a napkin and swiped at her leg. "I... you don't suppose reporters have already found out that I was one of Milano's... his fakes?"
    Chelsea shrugged. "So what if they did? You and Lenny can get married by a real preacher. Plus, it'll make great publicity."
    Abby groaned in horror. "The last thing I want is more publicity about my personal life." Lenny's face dashed into her mind—had he heard the news? And if he had, what would he say?
    Would he want to get remarried?
    The doorbell rang again, the sound pealing through the room like fingernails on a chalkboard. Chelsea's gaze locked with hers.
    "See who it is," Abby whispered.
    She huddled behind her sister as they inched to the door. Chelsea peeked through the peephole. "It's a tall, skinny guy with glasses," Chelsea said as if she were suspicious. "Oh, and he's wearing a mailman's uniform."
    "It is the mailman." Abby rolled her eyes and waved Chelsea aside, then opened the door.
    "I have a certified letter here for Abby Jensen Gulliver." He held out an envelope and a clipboard for her to sign. "Are you the Dr. Abigail Jensen who wrote that book Under the Covers?"
    Abby nodded. "Gulliver's my married name." Although Gullible should be. "Jensen's my maiden name." She'd almost said her real name. Which it was, since she wasn't technically married.
    The middle-aged postman beamed at her. "Wow, I can't believe it. My wife bought a copy of your book, and, man... it's hot."
    "I hope you two enjoy some of the exercises." Abby signed for the letter.
    "Oh, yes, ma'am, it's already doing wonders. My wife never would... Well, she didn't like to try different things until she read your advice. She especially liked that chapter on oral—"
    "Great." Abby cut off what she thought might have been a long-winded personal confession, which didn't seem appropriate on her front porch. "Have a nice day and tell your wife hello for me."
    She thanked the postman, then closed the door, but a bad premonition engulfed her as she walked back to the den. What if the letter was some form of notification from the police about her illegal marriage? Would they question all of the people involved with Tony Milano? Subpoena them to testify against him?
    Chelsea sat cross-legged on the sofa with her drink, her gaze fastened on the TV. "They said that preacher married over a hundred couples last year. He made a killing off those phony resort investments."
    "And I just happen to be one of the lucky ones who only fell for his romantic honeymoon haven." She narrowed her eyes, surprised there was no return address. "This is odd."
    "What?"
    "It's from Lenny. Why would he send me a certified letter?"
    Chelsea shrugged. "Maybe he found out about the fake marriage and he's proposing again?"
    Yeah, right. He hadn't been so formal the first time. Her fingers trembled as she tore open the envelope and removed the plain white sheet of