Read Online Cricket Cove by T. L. Haddix - Free Book Online Page A

“Nothing is going on between us. He can’t stand me for the most part, and I find him incredibly annoying.” She started taking her hair down to have something to do.
    Jonah’s hands were gentle as he worked the tension from her feet. “Didn’t look like he couldn’t stand you, not from my perspective. I noticed his glaring attention, but I figured it was more a gay disapproval thing than jealousy.”
    Amelia shook her head. “No. You guys are just imagining it. If he was glaring, it was because I did something he disapproves of.”
    Ben laughed outright. “Yeah. You were dancing with another man. Pip, for someone who’s a Cupid, you’re kind of oblivious. Maybe that’s how it works, though. You can’t see it for yourself.”
    “Believe me, I know how Logan feels about me, and there’s nothing remotely warm or flattering about it. He thinks I’m a frivolous waste of space.”
    There was shocked silence in the car. Ben actually pulled off the road and turned around in his seat to look at her.
    “Explain.”
    She cursed her loose lips, blaming it on her fatigue. “It’s nothing, Benny. I’m just tired.”
    “I don’t think so. You’ve said a couple of things today that just weren’t right. What’s going on, Amelia?”
    Jonah reached a hand out and she took it. “I overheard a conversation between him and Archer a few months ago. It wasn’t flattering to me, to say the least. Archer ripped him a new one, but still.”
    “Oh, sweetie. I’m sorry,” Ainsley said. “Is that why you’re so impertinent with him?”
    Amelia’s laugh was bitter, she knew. “For the most part, yes. I just liked to tweak his tail a bit at first, but then after I heard what I did, it seemed safest to keep the tone unpleasant. At least until I could hide what I knew. And now it’s just how we interact. Please, none of you say anything about this. Not to Logan, not to Archer or Emma. It’s embarrassing enough.”
    “I don’t have to say something to Logan to knock the hell out of him,” Ben growled.
    “Ben, that’s not going to help Amelia,” Ainsley chided. “If it would, I’d hold him down for you.”
    He clearly wasn’t happy but he conceded to her request. “Fine. We won’t tell anyone. But if he hurts you again? He’s mine.”
    Amelia gave a single nod. “Fair enough.”
    After a minute, he pulled back out on the road. They were quiet the last few miles, and Amelia could feel the anger rolling off her brother, even from the backseat. When they pulled up in her driveway, she sat up and touched his shoulder.
    “Benny, I’m fine. I had a pretty good blow dealt to my ego, but I’m fine. Don’t let this bother you, please. Before long I won’t even remember it happened.”
    “Bullshit,” he replied, though his voice was soft as he turned to face her. “I know you. I know how painful it had to be. And it isn’t like you can avoid seeing him. He’s family now, damn it all.”
    There wasn’t much Amelia could say in argument. He was right. Fortunately, Ainsley stepped in and took the attention off the situation with Logan. She handed her an envelope over the back of the seat.
    “Enough of him. This day has been too good to end on such a sour note. Emma and Archer wanted you to have that. Don’t open it until you get inside. And you’re not to show up at the church tomorrow. That’s an order from on high. There are plenty hands to go around and get things straightened up.”
    Tired, her emotions broke over her reserve. Amelia sniffed back tears and fingered the heavy paper of the envelope. “What did they do? This isn’t just a thank-you card, is it?”
    Ainsley’s smile was sweet. “No. You’ll like it, I promise—and you deserve it.”
    Once she was inside she opened the flap. There was a thank-you card inside, but there was also a slip of paper with a reservation number on it. Emma’s handwriting told her what the number was for.

    Dearest Baby Sister,
    You’ve worked so hard for us, and