Read Online Another Piece of My Heart by Jane Green - Free Book Online Page B

shaking his head.
    “Thanks,” he says. “Really. Thanks a lot.” And he turns to go after Emily.
    “No.” Andi grabs his arm. “Okay, I’m sorry. I didn’t mean that, but Ethan, please don’t go after her. Just leave her. This tantrum is for you, and if you go to her now, the evening is ruined.”
    “I can’t just leave her,” he says.
    “Why not? What’s the worst that can happen? She gets depressed and bored and comes back?”
    Ethan shakes his head, torn. “I … I don’t know.”
    Topher suddenly walks up, a cold beer in each hand, one of which he hands to Ethan.
    “Hey, buddy,” he says. “What’s up?”
    Ethan shrugs. “Not much.”
    “Emily’s in a bad mood, and Ethan was just about to go after her,” Andi blurts out. “I was telling him to leave her.”
    “Teenagers.” Topher rolls his eyes. “I’d leave her to it. She’ll get over it.”
    Ethan hesitates as his shoulders sink in defeat. “Okay,” he says finally. “Cheers.” And he takes a long, cool sip, unable to look Andi in the eye.
    *   *   *
    One of Greg’s friends plays the guitar, and the air is suddenly filled with beautiful music, indicating that the guests should gather around the tree.
    Another friend stands up and sings a Carole King song, then Isabel appears, gliding gracefully out of the barn, her chiffon dress gathered in one hand to keep it from draping on the floor, a huge smile on her face as she looks from one guest to another, her gaze ending on Greg, who is already wiping a tear from his eye.
    They stand together, holding hands as Drew, who qualified as a minister in order to marry them, offers his words on marriage, commitment, and love. He quotes Kahlil Gibran, then speaks from his heart, offers lessons he has learned, talks about why the love between Isabel and Greg is so special.
    Andi and Ethan, furious at each other, stand side by side with acres between them, but as Drew speaks, they both find themselves softening, remembering why they married, why they love each other. When Isabel starts to softly say her vow, Andi slips her hand into Ethan’s.
    “I’m sorry.” She reaches up and whispers into his ear.
    “That’s okay,” he whispers back. “I’m sorry, too,” and he gives her a sad but loving smile.
    “I do love you, you know,” she says, squeezing his hand.
    “I love you, too.” He squeezes back.
    *   *   *
    The music strikes up again after the wedding, and Andi leaves Ethan talking to friends as she wanders around the property. She is concerned about Emily, as much as she doesn’t want to admit it, and wants to, if not talk to her, at least see that she’s okay.
    She crosses over the fields to the one with the sculptures in it and stands for a long time, mesmerized by the sun slowly setting behind the trees, lighting up the majestic creations.
    There are voices coming from the barn. Laughter, which sounds like it might be Emily’s. Andi carefully picks her way around the objects that are scattered around the barn—found metal, oil drums, bicycles, old farm equipment—and stops at a crack in the shiplap sides, through which she sees the source of the laughter.
    There are two boys, one standing, one sitting. The standing one has a buzz cut, the seated one a long, dark ponytail, a beard, and piercing blue eyes. Even from a distance, Andi recognizes the sexual energy emanating from him.
    He is in jeans and boots, an oversized shirt, leather bracelets on his wrist. She wouldn’t have expected him to be Emily’s type, but Emily cannot take her eyes off him. She is Emily at her best, smiling, laughing, teasing.
    God, she is so beautiful when she smiles, when her face lights up, Andi thinks.
    “You should really come,” the bearded guy is saying as he reaches for his beer. “It’s totally awesome. Just filled with beautiful art and beautiful people.”
    “You’re such a hippie,” the boy with the buzz cut says. “I’ve gotta carry on with that welding. I promised