Read Online Friends and Enemies by Stephen A. Bly - Free Book Online

to live up to your standards.”
    â€œYou’re kidding me? You . . . you’re . . .”
    â€œOlder? Yes, I am. But the way you take care of Robert . . . the way you raise Little Frank and the girls . . . well, it’s quite a tough act to follow,” Rebekah continued. “I have to admit, I feel a little intimidated having you in town.”
    â€œNow you’re trying to sweet-talk me just like the boys.”
    â€œYou’ll never know how many times I’ve heard, ‘That’s nice, but I don’t reckon Jamie Sue would do it that way,’” Rebekah replied.
    â€œI . . . I can hardly believe that,” Jamie Sue murmured.
    â€œYou two think you have it bad?” Abigail added. “Look at me. On the one hand is the stylish Rebekah Jacobson from Chicago . . . on the other, the model mother Jamie Sue Milan. And then there is Dacee June Fortune, the uncontested queen of the Black Hills. Now, how on earth do I compete with that?”
    Jamie Sue shrugged. “I guess we all have adjusting to do. I am really sorry for blowing up in front of everyone. Maybe I am just too exhausted.”
    â€œThat’s completely understandable,” Rebekah added. “Now, do you want us to leave so you can kiss and make up?”
    Abby’s smile would have lit up an opera house full of grumpy old men. “That’s always the best part, isn’t it?”
    â€œCarty and I always . . . whoa . . . I mean . . . forget it!” Dacee June’s face blushed.
    â€œLil’ Sis always was demure and shy, wasn’t she?” Samuel laughed.
    â€œYou all don’t need to leave.” Jamie Sue marched straight over to Robert and threw her arms around his neck. “I’m sorry for blurting everything out.” Then she pressed her wide full lips into his.
    â€œQuick!” Samuel hollered. “Get me another bucket of water, Todd, I think little brother’s about to ignite!”
    â€œJamie Sue . . .” Robert protested. “I forgive you. Maybe we should wait until . . .”
    â€œWait to argue . . . wait to make up,” Abby teased. “I’m glad I married the Fortune who doesn’t wait for anything!”
    â€œI think we should all wait until supper,” Todd added. “How does six o’clock sound?”
    â€œYou make sure Daddy Brazos comes with you,” Samuel insisted.
    â€œOh, no,” Todd replied. “I’ll have the twins insist that he come. There’s no way on earth he could turn them down for anything.”
    â€œSometimes he does treat them as if they were his own Veronica and Patricia,” Jamie Sue concurred.
    â€œI can guarantee you in Daddy Brazos’s mind, they are his twins,” Todd added.
    Louise March Driver Edwards gave them a tour of her former Ingleside home, a block away from where she now lived with her sister, Thelma. She led them through the backyard, naming each plant her husband had so carefully planted.
    â€œIt is my great delight to sell this house to you and Jamie Sue. It’s like keeping it in the family.”
    â€œThere has never been a time, Mrs. Edwards, when you and your sister weren’t part of our lives. You were Mama’s best friends . . . you were there when Jamie Sue and I met . . . you’ve looked after Daddy . . . and mothered and grandmothered all of us. You are family.”
    Louise’s dark brown hair showed no sign of gray. She reached up and pushed the tears back from the corners of her eyes. “Robert, you have your mama’s spirit, through and through. I never knew a woman in my whole life who could lift me up and make me glad to be alive like Sarah Ruth.”
    â€œWe’ll take good care of your place,” Jamie Sue insisted.
    â€œOh, no, it’s not my place now. It is the Fortune home.”
    Robert and Jamie Sue walked