Free Dinner with the Blakemores (The Blakemore Files Book 5) by Olivia Gaines

The meat had arrived for Thanksgiving and the kitchen was in chaos.  Saxton grabbed Kevin, Jr., by the back of the shirt, told him to grab a jacket, and to follow him.  Bobby Joe was leading the way. 
    Dora and Big Sarge were sleeping in after the night of pain, which left Odessa to talk to Ryanne at the kitchen table.
    “Ryanne, we have not talked about what happened that night,” Odessa opened the conversation.
    “And we don’t need to … not today, not tomorrow, not ever,” she told her sister as she sipped at her tea.
    Odessa had to break the news to her. “I understand that it must be painful for you….”
    Ryanne’s eyebrows shot up. “Oh do you really?”
    “If I am pissed off enough to put a bullet in a man, or it has come to the point I have to put a bullet in a man, then yes, I do understand.  Either it was your life at stake or he just didn’t deserve to live. But, you didn’t kill him, Ryanne, so there is something you are not saying,” Odessa said to her with some serious concern.
    It was true.  The wound was still too raw and she was not about to tell her sister such horrific news.  Not today.  Today was all about the baby and Odessa’s shower.  She would not ruin it for her.
    “Ryanne, it is important that you talk to me,” Odessa said it more firmly this time.
    “No. It is not.  I don’t want to hear another word about that man.  I wish he would just die and be gone from my life forever!” she said through gritted teeth.
    Odessa took her hand. “Ryanne …”
    As sisters, they were always able to communicate with each other without saying too much.  Ryanne always had her head in a book whereas Odessa was always following her father about until Kevin was born and able to toddle around. There were very few secrets between the sisters.  Never had they fought over a boyfriend or clothing as they were very different people who did not have the same interest in clothes or men.
    “Something bigger is at play here and if you know something, it may be best to tell us what happened.  What made you shoot him…?” Odessa asked.
    “What do you mean something bigger may be at play?” Ryanne wanted to know.
    Her lips were pursed as she exhaled, still gripping her sister’s hands. “It’s Dwight.”
    Ryanne snatched her hands away. “What about him?”
    Odessa shook her head no.
    No meant a great deal of things in the world of finance.  A head shaking in that manner could mean the stock market has crashed and everything you had was gone.  It could mean that the investment you made did not pay off.  It could mean so many things.
    “Are you telling me my husband is dead?” Ryanne asked.
    Odessa reached for her hands again, hoping to give her sister strength, but Ryanne rose and took the plates to the sink.  A lady in a housekeeper’s outfit took the dishes from her shaking hands.  Odessa rose to follow, but Lucy came into the kitchen, still barking commands.
    “Odessa, I need you to drive Mama to the bank, then over to the mercantile, please. Now! Chop chop!” Lucy said as she pulled Odessa up from the chair. “Here, take my car.”  She placed the keys to the red Cadillac in their hands.
    “Hurry up and get back here soon,” Lucy commanded as Odessa followed Grandma Patsy out the back door.
    Lucy looked at Ryanne. “And you.  Stop moping about and come over here and lend me a hand getting the drawing room set up for the shower today.  You will be in charge of helping your sister open gifts and the like.”
    Ryanne didn’t argue, but set about doing the tasks she was assigned.  Just like the good girl she was.  Always doing as she should.  Always doing as she was told.  Go to college.  Find a nice man.  Get married.
    I am a fucking widow. Yet in Odessa’s world I am nothing more than an accessory, a convenience. There was a frustration building in Ryanne.  So much had happened in such a short time that it seemed as if her brain was starting to fizzle out.