Web of Lies Read Free Page A

girls why we were late. Kelly was sensitive and more easily frightened than her brother. For the first month after the serial killer was caught, she was plagued by nightmares about what happened to me. And Erin witnessed her own mother’s murder in their home a little over two years ago. These poor girls had been through enough.
    My heart panged as I watched them cross the parking lot, chattering as usual — no doubt about important teenage social issues. The sight of them together always made me smile. They’re both strikingly pretty — in very different ways. Kelly stands a little taller than Erin, but they’re equally slim. Erin’s white-blonde hair and fair complexion make her appear all the more ethereal next to my daughter’s tanned skin and long brown hair.
    The girls threw their backpacks in the SUV and slid into the rear seat. I turned around to say hello. Kelly took one look at my face and stilled. “What’s wrong?”
    How did my family do that?
    God, here goes. Please help them be calm.
    With a deep breath, I told them everything. Kelly listened, lips parted, brown eyes never leaving my face. Erin leaned forward, blue eyes round, a strand of bang caught on her lashes.
    “That’s terrible ,” Kelly breathed. “Those poor people who were shot.” She shook her head. “Just think, Mom. If it had been a minute later, you or Aunt Jenna could have been in that store.”
    “Yeah.” Erin’s words swelled with awe. “God protected you.”
    My throat tightened. How quickly their faith rose to the surface. Both of them put me to shame. “Yes, He did.”
    Jenna stopped at a red light. I turned forward in my seat, thanking God they were taking it so well.
    “Does Dad know?” Erin asked.
    Dave. I hadn’t even thought about telling him. Oh boy. Talk about someone who’d worry. “Not yet.”
    “Well, you better talk to him as soon as we get home. I’m sure not going to be the one to tell him.”
    Jenna tossed me an amused smile.
    After we pulled into the garage, I headed across the street with Erin.
    “Dad!” she yelled as she slammed her front door behind us. “Annie needs to talk to you!”
    We passed the kitchen, walked down the hall toward his office. I stepped through his door as he came around his desk to meet me. I took in his square jaw, the green eyes and blond hair, and my heart performed its little Dave dance. “Hi, Annie.”
His face creased into a smile.
    The air between us fibrillated. I felt the ancient quiver of high school years, when I was Erin’s age and endured my first crush.
    I halted a few feet away from him, sensing Erin behind me. Dave and I hadn’t displayed much affection in front of our children. Although the girls wouldn’t have minded. In fact, if they had their way, we’d be walking down the aisle tomorrow. Dave waited, gazing at me with an adoration he didn’t even try to hide. Then he looked over my shoulder toward his daughter. I turned to see Erin standing in the threshold.
    “I’ll leave you two alone.” She raised her eyebrows at her father with the wisdom of fifteen years. “Now listen. Annie needs to tell you something. But everything’s okay, so don’t freak out.”
    She pulled away and disappeared. I heard the rustle of her clothes, her cushioned footsteps as she headed toward her bedroom.
    Surprised once more at this child’s fortitude, I turned back to Dave. He gave me a questioning look, then held out his arms. I stepped into his embrace and hung there, just feeling the strength of him. Wishing I could float in this soothing sea without the detritus of my past. Music kicked on in Erin’s bedroom, filtering through the wall. I pulled back, looked into Dave’s face, seeing the concern in his eyes.
    He ran a knuckle down my cheek. “What happened?”
    His question dredged up the old insecurities. I shrugged out of his embrace. Why was I always the first one to do that?
    “It’s nothing bad for me, really. I mean, I’m okay. But Jenna and I