Read Online Daring Confessions (Bend To My Will #10) by Emily Jane Trent - Free Book Online

view, Vivienne got a warm feeling inside. As much as she liked New York and the life she had there, her roots were still in Georgia. After parking, they navigated the concrete steps up to the walkway, and Vivienne looked around at the well-tended yard.
    Her dad answered when they rang the bell. “Hey, you made it.” He gave Vivienne a big hug, then shook Jacob’s hand.
    Jacob smiled at her father. “Good to see you, Joseph.”
    The rapport between Jacob and her father made Vivienne feel good. “Where’s Mom?”
    “Your mother’s in the kitchen.”
    The television was already tuned into some pre-game shows. Joseph was an avid Bulldogs fan, and every year on the holiday, he watched all the big games. He started sharing sports talk with Jacob, who followed him out to the sofa.
    Vivienne found her mother in the kitchen. “Mom, you’re in the kitchen already?”
    Her mom beamed. “Yes, I’m doing some early prep. You can help me.” She handed Vivienne a knife and pushed a cutting board closer. “You can chop the vegetables.”
    “Well, you look pretty good. It’s so great to see you walking around normally again.” Vivienne watched mother roll out the crust for the pies.
    “I am mostly recovered; there are just a few things I still can’t do. But it won’t be long,” her mother said. “I’ve been on a reduced schedule for a while at the restaurant, but next week I return to full duty.”
    Vivienne could tell that her mother was pleased about that. She worked away in the kitchen already filled with good smells. The turkey was in the oven; no doubt her mother had that in very early so it could slow-cook.
    From the next room came the sound of loud voices, as her father talked Jacob’s leg off and they watched TV. “They’re having a good time out there,” Vivienne said.
    “Yes, Joseph was really looking forward to your visit. He gets on well with Jacob.” Her mother wiped her hands and took off her apron. “Everything is okay in here for a minute. Let me go say hello.”
    Vivienne followed, and her mother went to the living room. Jacob stood up and gave her a big hug. “You look great, Irene.”
    “It’s so good of you to come and visit,” her mother said. “What can I get you to drink?”
    Jacob glanced at her father, who was sipping a glass of beer. “Beer sounds good.”
    “Great, I’ll bring it out. Do you want a glass?”
    Jacob smiled at her. “Just the bottle is fine.”
    Vivienne leaned down to squeeze Jacob’s hand and kiss him on the cheek. She noticed when her dad looked up at her mother as she left the room. It was a look of admiration and love, the look that Vivienne had seen often when growing up. Her parents really were back together.
    Irene brought out the beer, and Vivienne carried the snacks. She took a minute to admire Jacob in his jeans and sweater, thinking how handsome he was. And it was so perfect to have him at home with her. He fit right in, as if he was part of the family. Her parents accepted him, and really liked him, which was heartwarming.
    When her mother handed a fresh beer to her dad, he pulled her down for a kiss on the cheek. “Good timing, Irene. I just finished my first one.” He handed her the empty bottle and Irene beamed. In fact, Vivienne thought she saw her blush.
    For a while, Vivienne helped with the food prep. They had the traditional fare of turkey, stuffing, mashed potatoes, green beans, and cranberry sauce, along with snacks to nibble throughout the day. Her mouth was already watering for her mother’s pecan pie.
    Since her parents had gotten back together, Vivienne had spoken to her mother on the phone a few times, but now she had the chance to talk in person. She had been in her teens when they’d divorced, and she assumed they didn’t share a lot of their reasons for the split as they didn’t want to upset her.
    Yet knowing and being able to understand would have been better. But Vivienne supposed that only the two people involved in a