Redemption Lake Read Online Free

weren’t hungry.”
    â€œI’m not. I mean, I wasn’t, but I am now. And I want to get all this eating over so I can have my cake,” Phillip said.
    Shelby plucked another grape, this time placing it between her teeth. She moved in closer, giving him a nose-to-nose kiss, just before thrusting the plump purple grape into his mouth.
    Phillip savored the sweet juice as it burst. “Umm baby. Keep that up and we won’t be finishing any of this food.”
    Without saying a word Shelby picked up a cube of cheese and traced his lips with it, then just as she’d done with the grape, she fed it to him.
    â€œQuit playing, girl.”
    Shelby laughed. “Sorry, honey. I’ll stop. Let’s eat, I’m hungry.”
    In a famished manner, they both ate. Once they were finished, Shelby said, “Oh yeah, I almost forgot. I’ve got a surprise for you.”
    â€œWhat?”
    â€œWait a minute, you’ll see.”
    Shelby left their pallet on the floor and headed for the kitchen. When she returned, she had two beverage glasses and a bottle of chilled sparkling grape juice in her hands.
    After sitting back down next to him, she gave Phillip the honors of popping the cork and pouring the wine. Before taking a sip, they held their glasses up to toast.
    â€œWhat would you like to toast to?” Phillip asked.
    â€œOkay,” Shelby cleared her throat. “To God blessing our marriage of twelve years. Even for the ups and downs. And blessing us so much that He placed us here to help three families with their marriages.”
    She lifted her glass toward Phillip’s, and he did the same. “I can toast to that.”
    They sipped their fizzing juice.
    â€œMy turn.” Phillip paused and looked dead into his wife’s eyes. “To the most wonderful wife a man could ever be blessed with.” He held his glass up to toast.
    Shelby smiled, toasting with him. “Thank you. Keep this up and you’re going to make me blush.”
    Phillip took another sip of his juice. “Give me a few more minutes, and I am going to make you do more than blush.”
    Shelby downed her remaining juice. “Well, what are you waiting for?”
    At that, Phillip downed the remainder of his glass also, then took Shelby’s glass to place them both on the coffee table.
    He pulled her in to his arms, planting a passionate kiss on her lips. After what seemed like minutes had passed, Shelby pulled away with an abruptness that caused Phillip to jump.
    â€œWhat’s wrong?” Phillip asked.
    â€œDid you hear that?”
    â€œWhat?”
    â€œI heard something outside.”
    â€œNo, I didn’t hear a thing. What you probably heard was my heart beating through my shirt.”
    Shelby rolled her eyes at him. “I could’ve sworn I heard something.”
    â€œYou’re just a little scared because we’re out here all alone by this dark lake.”
    â€œYou have to admit it is a little scary. It’s pitch black out, and there probably isn’t another person for miles.”
    â€œMaybe a quarter of a mile at best. This lake is full of cabins. Phillip flexed his muscles. “Don’t worry baby, I’m here to protect you.”
    Shelby sighed with resignation.
    Again Phillip pulled her into a kiss-filled embrace. “We’d better enjoy the quietness and time alone now, because tomorrow the people will start filing in.”
    â€œAre you ready to wade through the surface and figure out what everyone is really trying to say in order to get to the bottom of their problems?” Shelby asked.
    â€œI’m definitely ready to help guide them on the road to recovery. It’s the wading through part that’ll be the hardest. You know there are three sides to every story: his side, her side, and the truth.”
    Just as Phillip stopped speaking, they heard footsteps on the porch, and then a knock at the front door. Both Phillip and