Read Online Run by Holly Hood - Free Book Online

Like Roger, she carried herself with confidence. “You want to help with the dishes?” she asked the two of us immediately. She filled Mason’s hands with dishes before he could even object. He raised an eyebrow, following her orders. I took the glasses making my way into the dining room.
    The curtains were drawn letting the sunshine spill into the old-fashioned room. It was rather charming and sophisticated.
    “Noah and Lainey!” she called, catching everyone’s attention. I looked at Wanda. She ignored me and carried on with the conversation she was having with Roger.
    “Geez, I’m sorry, Momma,” a girl said, coming in the dining room. She kept the smile on her face as she found her seat at the huge table.
    “Where’s your brother?” Anna asked, setting the plates down.
    Mason sat down next to me.
    “He said he was coming,” she said, looking at us now. She stuck out her hand, giggling. “I’m Lainey.”
    I shook her hand, wondering why these people were so pleasant—and touchy.
    “Kendall,” I said, forcing another smile.
    She pushed her blonde hair from her shoulders looking at Mason now. I wanted to roll my eyes at how infuriatingly cute she was.
    “And what’s his name? He doesn’t say much does he?” She furrowed her cute little eyebrows. Mason cleared his throat, extending a hand. She giggled again and shook it.
    “Mason,” he told her, smiling his usual smile. I could feel Aunt Wanda’s stare from the other end of the table. I knew she wanted me to keep cool and not get jealous.
    “How old are ya’ll?” She poured a glass of ice tea, watching us as if we were the most interesting people  she’d ever met.
    “I’m twenty and Mason is twenty-two,” I said, taking in her big white teeth. If you asked me, they looked a little too perfect. It wouldn’t surprise me if every boy in town had a thing for her. I was trying to like her, but it was difficult.
    “Yeah, I turn twenty-three in a month,” he said.
    “Well, I’m eighteen and Noah, my brother, he’s—”
    “Twenty-one,” Noah said interrupting.  He took a seat. I shot a look at the blond, caught off guard when he sat down without so much as a smile.
    When he talked, his gaze shifted from the floor back up to the person he was addressing.
    “Hi, I’m Noah, nice to meet you.” He moved his gaze to Mason. “You, too.” He rested his napkin in his lap.
    “Kendall,” I said, looking at my food. I recognized his type. He looked like the overly confident kid who thought any girl would be lucky to have him.
    “Well, let’s eat,” Anna said, coming back into the room with a fresh basket of biscuits. She pulled her apron strings, hung her apron over the back of her chair, and took a seat.
    This was one of those times when I hoped and prayed everything would turn out all right.
     
     
    Everyone dove right in as the food Anna had prepared was passed around the table—sausage links, eggs, pancakes, waffles, hash browns, and biscuits.  Anna sure knew how to cook.
    She sipped her coffee as she watched everyone enjoy their meal.
    “So tell me Wanda, what’s it like back home?” Roger asked, as he buttered his biscuit. I looked at Wanda. She took a mouthful of food, chewing slowly.
    As more time ticked by Aunt Wanda still had provided no reply. Now everyone’s eyes were on her.
    Payton fidgeted in her chair. Anna stood, quickly taking empty dishes from the table. I caught Lainey and Noah staring at me.
    “Well, I don’t know, Roger. That town will never change. You know that. Always the same and always will be,” Aunt Wanda said, as she picked up her glass of orange juice.
    Anna returned, carrying a basket of muffins. Her need to feed everyone seemed never-ending.
    “Fresh blueberry,” she told me. I took one with a smile. I wondered how Lainey stayed so thin with a mother who cooked all the time.
    “So what sort of things are you guys into back home?” Anna asked, sitting back down.
    I looked at Mason, hoping he would