All Chapters of The Rutherford Series: Chapter 71 - Chapter 80

Faith stared at her plate, tenderloin over noodles, and wondered why she had even ordered it. She was not in the least bit hungry. Ever since her verbal bout with Cherish, she could not shake the funk she allowed herself to slip into. Or rather that Cherish had shoved onto her. She tried her best to be civil to her sister, but she was damned if she would allow her family to continue to place her on the executioner's block. How they lived their lives was up to them, and how she lived hers was up to her. Well, her and Selby.He tried his best to get her out of her sour mood, such as taking her out to eat. Even Edwin attempted to swing her back into a cheerful demeanor as well, but both had failed. She was just too tired of being blamed for the decisions of others. It seemed to be the theme of her life of late."Would you folks like another drink?" The waitress stood, smiling, beside their table.Selby didn't ask if Faith wanted one. He just ordered another round to go with the meal that

Tracey closed her Styrofoam container, lunch over for the day. "We should go dancing tonight. The clubs down here hop pretty well on the weekends. Might be fun before our girl leaves for a week." She dumped the trash into the wastebasket behind the counter. "Unless, of course, you were planning to keep her all to yourself all weekend."Selby watched as she tidied up from their afternoon meal. "No way. If I can have my two favorite ladies with me, I'll take it every time."Tracey pushed up on her tiptoes and kissed his nose. "Good answer.""I've been practicing." He smiled at her. "It's true. I stand in front of the mirror wondering what you might say and then rehearse my answers, so I look sharp.""I'm sure that's what you practice in front of the mirror." She leaned against him, her breasts firm against his chest, and gave him a slow, soft kiss. Her eyes were still closed when she pulled away, savoring the moment. When she opened them, his eyes smiled back at her. "I'll meet you at th

Selby washed his hands, tossing the Eco-friendly towel into the over-flowing trash bin as he pushed his way back out to the crowded bar. The place seemed to have doubled in occupancy since he had entered the restroom. Most of the tables were full while people lined the walls and crowded around the dance floor. First, he glanced at their table, assuming Faith had beaten him back, but it was empty. Glancing at the bar, he finally found her. He could see in the mirror behind the bar that she had their drinks, but she wasn't moving. It was then that he spotted Tracey perched on a barstool beside his wife. A smile pushed his cheeks up seeing the two of them together. He was glad Tracey showed up since dancing was her idea.He started to make his way to the girls and then stopped. Faith's eyes were closed, and her facial expression was...different. He tried to get a better look at what was happening, but the crowded dance floor was between them, and people gyrated across his line of sight. F

"I think I overdid it," Faith said as they passed through the sliding door to the Florida room. Her skin was the color of the inside of her favorite steak. She felt microwaved, and she was sure her flesh had shrunk on her body. How long had they been out there?"You are kinda reddish," Tracey said, her face puckered in empathy for what Faith must be feeling.Selby merely chuckled and shook his head."I know, I know." Faith dropped her towel on a wicker chair as she passed through to their bedroom.Tracey glanced back and forth between the two. "What am I missing?"Passing through the inside slider and into the bedroom, Faith reached behind her and pulled her bathing suit top loose. "He has no sympathy for Floridians who get sunburned. We should know better.""Bully." Tracey swatted Selby as she took Faith by the arm and led her to the king-sized bed. "Here, dear, lay down. We need to get some aloe on those burns." Tracey pushed Selby toward the bedroom door. "You can get us some water

Selby watched as they disappeared into the walk-in closet, both giggling about whatever women giggle about as they plot and plan in closets. He had never seen Faith have so much fun, not with another woman, anyway. Faith didn't mix with other females well. She preferred simple things, non-frilly things. She was a tomboy at heart while most of the women she grew up with preferred prissy things and mindless chatter. Or, they were the abrasive, feminist type who hated men and saw them merely as sperm donors, and if they could get the sperm without touching the cock they would. Faith always got along with men better. In high school, her best friends had always been boys. Not much had changed in almost fifteen years.Selby pushed himself off the doorframe and left the women to the dress up. He decided then would be a good time to get lost in a book. It was obvious the women were bonding. He just wasn't sure where that bond would lead. They were both loners for the most part and, outside of