Read Online A Reason to Stay by Kellie Coates Gilbert - Free Book Online Page B

everything else from her mind.
    â€œHey, don’t worry about it, Faith. I totally get it,” he’d assured her on the phone. “Look, I’ll let you make it up to me. My family is having their annual crawfish feed out at their place this weekend. Why don’t you join us?”
    The idea of a crawfish anything didn’t really tickle her toes. And meeting his family felt—well, entirely too early. I mean, they hadn’t even had a real date yet. But what could she do after leaving him hanging, wondering why she hadn’t shown up? Turn him down?
    For a quick second she considered talking him into a nice quiet dinner downtown instead—maybe at The Lake House on the southshore of Kinder. In the end, she simply swallowed her reservations and accepted his invitation.
    The road leading to the address Geary provided was off Highway 105, several miles west of the marina in Conroe where they became acquainted. He’d offered to meet her at Sam’s Boat House and guide her out to his parents’ house, but she’d quickly assured him that wasn’t necessary. Her GPS would get her there.
    Now she was having second thoughts about that decision.
    She glanced at the screen on her phone. Lake Pine Road was just ahead. According to Geary’s directions, the turnoff to his family’s house would be on the right, four miles from the highway.
    From Lake Pine Road, she wheeled onto an unmarked paved road lined by a white farmhouse-style fence, a lovely lane shaded by loblolly pines and red oaks that extended about a half mile before finally opening into a large area filled with vehicles.
    She wedged her car into a space between a small red SUV and a Dodge pickup with massive wheel wells. Upon climbing out, she could hear music coming from the back of the house. A song by the Dixie Chicks, she thought.
    This was no small party she’d agreed to attend.
    She glanced down at her wedge sandals, a little splurge to go with her tangerine-colored tunic and white capris. She wasn’t entirely sure she’d dressed appropriately for a crawfish feed, but she looked cute. That was what mattered.
    The house was two stories, the lower made of brick and the upper of white clapboard with black shutters and dormers. The front wraparound porch was lined with neatly trimmed low hedges and sported several rocking chairs, the kind she’d often seen for sale at Cracker Barrel restaurants. On either side of a red door, pots filled with pretty pink vinca and multi-hued purslane gave the house a welcoming feeling.
    More cars were pulling in now. She crossed to the winding sidewalk that led to the front porch, taking in the rural feel of the place.
    Before she had a chance to knock, the red door swung open and Geary stepped out. “There you are,” he said over the commotion inside. Dressed in jeans and a blue polo that matched the shade of his eyes, he leaned in and gently brushed her cheek with a kiss, then guided her into a large yet unassuming foyer. “Glad you could come,” he said, smiling generously in her direction.
    In the large open living area, sofas with crocheted afghans folded over the backs and upholstered recliners with terry washcloths placed to protect the arms were scattered across oak floors. Small pockets of people stood chatting around colonial-style coffee tables filled with bowls of cheese puffs, pretzels, and chips.
    Her eyes were immediately drawn outside the windows, to an expansive lawn filled with pop-up awnings and more people in lawn chairs. “Wow, this is some party.”
    He grinned. “Yeah, Mom knows how to throw a shindig. Everybody looks forward to her annual crawfish boil.”
    Faith followed Geary to the door leading to the back deck. “Well,” she admitted, “this is my first.”
    He stopped and turned to face her. “Ha, a crawdad newbie? Well, you’re in for a treat.” His blue eyes twinkled. He grabbed her hand