Free Breaking Sin by Teresa Mummert Page B

couldn’t miss your baby shower!” She replied, grabbing my face with her hands. “How is my grandson?” She placed her hand on my belly. I placed mine on hers and smiled. My eyes scanned the room, full of all of my friends. In the back, I spotted Collin, grinning. People swarmed me and I could not take my eyes off him.
     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

The Con
     
    Sneak Peek
     

Chapter One
     
    “Honey, you’re going to be late!” Ally called up the stairs to her husband, Anthony. They had been married for nearly eight years and without her, he would forget his own name. Moments later Anthony lumbered down the staircase, buttoning his shirt along the way. He smirked and grabbed his dark grey suit jacket from Alley, shrugging it on as he made his way out of the front door. Several seconds passed and the front door flew back open as Anthony returned for his keys that Ally held out in her hand with a smirk.
     
    “Thanks, Hon.” Anthony said and quickly pecked Ally on the cheek. She smiled as she walked into the kitchen, fixing her long dirty blonde hair into a loose bun, securing it with a pen she grabbed of off the counter top. She chewed her lip as she read over her schedule for the day. Her heart sunk as she read Sadie’s Fundraiser 3pm scrawled out in the calendar block. She grabbed the island countertop with both hands to steady herself, closing her eyes and counting to ten. Tears stung her eyes as she squeezed them tighter begging them not to fall. Her breathing became more rapid and uncontrolled. She reached for her purse and desperately searched for an orange pill bottle labeled valium. Panic set in as she knocked the purse to the floor and its contents scattered.
     
    “Shit!” she muttered aloud as the flood gates opened and tears streamed down her face, stinging her cheeks. She collapsed to the floor and rummaged through the mess, coming up with her prescription bottle. She struggled desperately to pop the child safety cap off. The irony of not having a child to protect did not miss her. Her home was now sickeningly silent since she closed down her day care. Finally, the lid sprung free sending pills all over her lap. She gathered two and grabbed her glass of off the counter, filling it quickly with the water tap on the door of the stainless steel fridge. Swallowing the pills she took a moment to calm herself before finding her cell phone from the mess on the floor. She opened the address book and paused at her husband’s name. After a moment, she continued down the list and selected the name Doctor Hemler. After three excruciatingly long rings, a receptionist answered the phone.
     
    “Dr. Hemler’s office. How may I help you?” a sweet soothing voice called through the receiver.
     
    “Yes, um- is Doctor Hemler available?” Ally asked trying to keep the shaking in her voice hidden.
     
    “He’s in an appointment this morning. May I take a message and have him call you back?” The voice responded.
     
    “NO-no.” Ally stuttered and suddenly felt embarrassed by her breakdown. “I just forgot my appointment time, but I found the slip right here. My mistake.” She said with a laugh. She clicked the end call button before the woman could respond. Taking a deep breath and finally feeling the effects from her medication Ally bend down to retrieve the contents of her purse. She quickly stuffed all of her belongings into her designer bag, hanging onto a picture of her beloved Sadie wearing a pink tutu.
     
    Sadie was the spitting image of Ally, with long dirty blonde hair, big bright blue eyes and dimples framing her smile. She could have easily passed for her daughter. At four years old she dreamed of being a prima ballerina, taking lessons once a week at the Tutu Studio. Ally babysat her nearly every night, indulged in her every whim. They were partners and crime. Ally came alive when she was with Sadie. It was the only time her