Daring Devotion Read Online Free Page B

receiver. “I’m sorry, baby. What the hell is your mother doing calling here at two in the morning?” he whispered nervously.
    Andrea subconsciously glanced at the clock as if to mentally confirm the time. There was only one reason her mother would be calling at that hour.
    Taking a deep, fortifying breath, she accepted the phone. “Hi, Mom.”
    â€œAndrea, I’m down at Detroit Receiving Hospital.” Margaret Chenault’s naturally soft voice was fainter than usual, and Andrea struggled to hear her. “I’m sorry to bother you like this, but do you think you can come get me?”
    She was already scooting to the edge of the bed. There was no reason to ask why her mother was in the emergency room at two o’clock in the morning, she already knew.
    â€œI’ll be right there.” A few seconds later, she hung up the phone and studiously avoided Cal’s eyes. She went to the dresser and pulled out a pair of jeans and a sweatshirt.
    Cal sat on the side of the bed watching her in silence. The amorous mood had completely dissipated.
    Finally, when it became obvious Andrea was not going to volunteer any information, he asked the question, already knowing the answer. “He hit her again, didn’t he?”
    Andrea was fully dressed and slipping her feet into a pair of sandals. “Yes.” She spoke barely above a whisper.
    Instantly Cal was behind her protectively wrapping her in his arms, as if he could physically shield her from the pain. He asked another question that he already knew the answer to. “Can I come with you?”
    Andrea dropped her head, and whispered, “No.”
    â€œWhy won’t you let me take care of him? Trust me, after I got through with him, he wouldn’t be hitting anybody.” He spoke with complete conviction, and Andrea believed him, which was why she refused his help.
    â€œHe’s still my father, Cal.”
    Cal rested his chin on the top of her head. “Why you feel any loyalty to him is beyond me. But just so we understand each other, Andrea. If he ever lays a finger on you…all bets are off.”
    She reached up and covered the strong arms that circled her body, savoring the feeling of warmth and love she knew she would need to get through the night. “Like I told you before, he’s never hit me. Just her…always her.”
    â€œWhy won’t she leave him?” he whispered in frustration.
    Andrea’s mind was racing with images from her childhood and well into her adult years. So many memories, most of them not good. “When I have an answer to that question, I’ll tell you.”

Chapter 4
    T hree women filed into the spa for their monthly standing reservation. Even in the blue funk that Andrea had been experiencing lately, she couldn’t help but get excited about Spa Day.
    As soon as they were through the door, the young lady at the counter smiled and greeted them. “Hello, ladies, your suite is ready. Just go on in and Zack will be right with you.”
    Andrea followed Marty, who followed Dina through the frosted glass doors and into the long corridor that led to the client’s suites, ignoring the menacing stares of the walk-in clients who’d been waiting hours to get an appointment with the best masseur in Detroit.
    The three were settled quickly into their suite by the spa staff. Their clothes had been traded for incredible soft terry robes. Each pair of tired, aching feet was luxuriating in a small whirlpool tub. They sat sipping on the fruity flavored protein drinks they’d been given to pass the time.
    Although they had an appointment, they already knew they would be forced to wait, as well, but it was by choice. The spa employed eight masseurs, but unfortunately there was only one Zack, and everyone wanted him.
    Spa Day usually took up all of Andrea’s monthly splurge money, but by the time Zack got through kneading and pounding her overworked