Something Old, Something New

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Book: Something Old, Something New by Beverly Jenkins Read Free Book Online
Authors: Beverly Jenkins
Tags: Fiction, General, Romance
money, too.

Chapter 5
    G riffin July guided his big Harley up the quiet tree-lined street. All the houses looked like mini mansions, and the people walking their dogs and watering their pristine lawns paused to watch him ride by as if knowing he had no business there. He supposed that a half Black, half Lakota biker wearing worn leathers and a blue bandanna won off a Seminole cousin during a poker game last year didn’t fit the mold of their wealthy neighbors, but in truth, he was on business—family business.
    The house he was in search of turned out to be farther up the street and on the left. He swung the bike into the driveway, cut the engine, and pocketed the key as he got off. There was no guarantee the lady of the house would remember him, but he was betting she would, even though they hadn’t seen each other in over a decade.
    The doorbell was answered by an older Black woman whose brown dress and white apron made him assume she was hired help. Her startled reaction upon finding him on the porch led him to believe the household didn’t get many visitors like him, but Griffin was a July and therefore polite. “Good evening, I’m here to see Mrs. Carlyle.”
    â€œYour name?”
    â€œGriffin July.”
    â€œWait here, please.”
    She disappeared, and Griffin spent a few minutes checking out the expensive surroundings and wondering how a woman he’d known as a stripper named Melody Lane wound up playing lady of the manor in a wealthy suburban enclave like this one. Her brother Jimmy said she’d married a congressman; that too was surprising.
    The maid returned. “I’m sorry, but Mrs. Carlyle says she doesn’t know anyone by that name.”
    â€œGive her this. I’m sure it’ll jog her memory.” Reaching behind his head, he unhooked the brown leather chain with its distinctive red and black beads. It had been given to him by his grandfather when he’d completed his Spirit Quest. Griffin had been wearing it around his neck since he was twelve. During the two weeks he and Melody were together, it was the only thing he’d worn. The skeptical-looking maid took the chain and disappeared again.
    When she returned, Melody was at her side. The look in her brown eyes could have frozen water. “What do you want?”
    â€œAn answer to a question. Can I come in?”
    â€œNo. Ask it and leave.”
    Brushing his eyes across the maid’s face, he cautioned, “You might want to do this privately.”
    â€œHelen’s been with me for years. I’ve nothing to hide.”
    Griffin nodded and studied her silently for a moment. She was older, of course, but the wild pole dancer she’d once been lay totally concealed beneath the polished veneer of her high-end makeup and clothes. “Did we make a child? Specifically, a son?”
    The question rocked her, but she pulled herself together. “Who told you?”
    â€œThat isn’t important.”
    â€œI will not be blackmailed.”
    â€œNot here for that, just an answer.” In reality, she’d given it, but he had another question. “Why didn’t you let me know?”
    â€œSo you could do what, come back and marry me? After you rode off on that bike of yours, I knew I’d never see you again, and that didn’t change when I found out I was pregnant.”
    â€œSo you gave him up?”
    â€œOf course. You expected an abortion?”
    â€œNo, but I would have wanted to know about the child. Babies are precious in my family.”
    She rolled her eyes. “How’d you find me?”
    â€œYour brother, Jimmy.”
    â€œCellmates?” she asked disdainfully.
    â€œNo. Went to visit him a few weeks ago, though. He said to tell you he’d be out in six months.”
    â€œLike I care. Why are you so interested in this baby all of a sudden?”
    â€œBecause I believe I know where he is.”
    Her eyes widened.

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