Morello's Virgin Wife

Chapter Two

"Can I get you something, sweetie?"

Blaize jumped at the innocent question as she finally tore her gaze away from the view of the

lush green forest that surrounded her friend's small cottage. The peaceful sight had succeeded in

relaxing her and she had spent hours simply staring out at the stunning view as she tried to forget what

had bought her here.

"Thank you. But you've been more than generous already," Blaize assured her friend as she

indicated the house and the borrowed silk pyjamas that were slightly snug on her slender curves.

"You sure you're not in some kind of trouble? It's not every day a bride turns up on my

doorstep," Carmen said as she nibbled nervously at her lower lip and tried to coax Blaize in to talking to

her.

It had been a complete shock when she'd answered the door several hours ago to find Blaize

standing there in a wedding dress caked with mud looking filthy and distraught with make-up streaked

down her face and tears generously flowing. A bath and a change of clothes had restored Blaize's

normal composure but the look of utter devastation had remained. She had barely spoken since she'd

arrived other than to answer direct questions and hadn't yet given an explanation about her sudden

arrival other than to ask if she could stay a few days.

"I would never bring any trouble to your door," Blaize promised looking stricken and Carmen

sighed as she realised that Blaize had completely misunderstood her.

"I know that, hun. I'm just worried about you," Carmen replied watching as Blaize's lower lip

trembled.

"I'm fine. I just need somewhere to stay for a few days to clear my head and I didn't know

where else I could go," Blaize said even as her voice cracked on a sob and warm salty tears began to

roll down her pale cheeks.

"You're always welcome here. You know that," Carmen assured her softly and Blaize looked

guiltily at the stairs.

"I shouldn't have come. We haven't even seen each other in years and I'm disturbing your

family being here," she said quietly as she thought of the two teenagers who had answered the door

and stared at her curiously until their mother had shipped them off to bed.

"Nonsense. The kids are fine and Paul's away for a few days anyway," Carmen reassured

her wondering just what had occurred to bring her friend here in this state.

"Are you sure I'm alright being here?" Blaize persisted uncertainly and Carmen finally gave

up on her quest for information as she gave her friend a hug while wishing there was more she could do.

"Stay as long as you want. I promise you're safe here. It's so remote out here that nobody