Free Entangled Souls by Kimber Waits Page A

a smile. “Isn’t that great news for you. When is the wedding?”
    “The engagement won’t be official until we post it in the paper — we’re having a party next week to make the announcement. I didn’t send you an invitation — I knew a party would probably be the last thing on your mind.”
    Maven smiled, determined to attend the party and deal with her rival face to face. “I would love to be a part of your celebration. Mom would’ve wanted me to be there to represent our family. You know how much she loved you.”
    “People will talk — your sister is still missing.”
    “Let them talk. I want to help you celebrate.”
    “You really are an awesome girl, Maven.” Bridger grinned suggestively. “If I didn’t have a girl, I could definitely see me falling for you.”
    Maven smiled to herself. Confident that he would be falling in love with her soon enough. It would be a cold day in hell before she’d let another girl stand in her way. She was determined to have Bridger. Abby was merely an obstacle to be disposed of…one way or another.
    “It’s public knowledge that Halen led a less than Christian life. People around here can be overly cruel when give the opportunity. Things people say about her might be hard for you to hear.”
    “I know,” Maven replied. “But I can’t hide out here in this house forever.”
    Bridger’s admiration for Maven grew stronger. He wondered what had happened in the past that caused her mother to favor the rebellious Halen over her sister.
    Maven flashed him a bright smile. “Come on then, I’ll walk you out. I know you’re anxious to get home. Tell Abby I said hi. I’m sure she’ll make a beautiful bride.”
    “No doubt.”
    She looped her arm through his and buried her head against his chest. “I’m looking forward to seeing her at the party.”
    “You two will be best friends before you know it. I’m sure of it.”
    Friends, Maven fumed. Not in this lifetime.
    She stood on the front porch watching Bridger as he drove away, angry tears burned her eyes as she thought about their relationship. All her life it seemed the people she loved had denied her their love in return. Her mother…Halen…and now the man she loved most in the entire world was tripping all over himself to be with that dog-faced Abby.
    All of this rejection was getting on her last nerve. Bridger would be hers, and she didn’t care who was hurt in the process. She had no problem disposing of a bothersome rival — she’d done it in the past, she could easily do it one more time.
    Maven’s murderous thoughts were interrupted by the sight of Cody’s car coming up the gravel driveway. She impatiently watched as he and Bridger pulled up side by side to exchange greetings. She was genuinely happy to see Cody. Although she wasn’t in love with him as she was with Bridger, she did get a kick out of the sexual side of their relationship.
    Cody’s eyes traveled over Maven’s curves as he walked up the front steps. She reveled in his attention and the way he so eagerly did her bidding. Starving for sexual release, she barely gave him time to say hello before she was dragging him upstairs to her bedroom. Mistaking her behavior for true love, Cody was thrilled to see how much she wanted to be with him. Maven made love to him with an intensity that sent his heart racing. He had no idea that she was busy imagining herself engulfed in Bridger’s strong arms the entire time.

    **

    Albert sat at the kitchen table eating his evening meal. Chewing on his steak, he looked at the ceiling in disgust. He knew Maven had that Cody boy in her bedroom. Again. Her poor mama must be rolling over in her grave, Albert thought. Maybe it was a blessing in disguise that she was no longer around to witness Maven’s slutty behavior.
    The stupid little girl was playing with fire and he prayed she walked away from this fiasco with third-degree burns. He knew Cody was head over heels in love with Maven. Although he