Read Online Heart So Sweet: Book 3 in the Great Plains Romance Series by Corrissa James - Free Book Online Page B

join her. “Come, it’s time to prepare for your father’s spirit release, before you desecrate his home with your impure thoughts.”
    Tate felt his cheeks burn, which made his aunt laugh. He had become so caught up in Annie that he’d completely forgotten about his father’s spirit release. Had it really been a year since his death? The sadness that descended over him with the realization only made him miss Annie more.

Chapter Thirteen
     
    For several weeks, Susannah went out of her way to run into Tate, but he continued to avoid her. Not that she had numerous opportunities to see him as she was so busy with the additional chores on the farm. But Lucas seemed to have a new spring in his step, which made all the extra hours worth it. Plus, working herself to the point of exhaustion meant that she often fell asleep as soon as her head hit the pillow. Often, but not always. On those nights when she couldn’t sleep, she was plagued with memories of her night with Tate, which meant that the next day she would be surly and tired and not at all pleasant to be around. Today was one of those days, so she was not at all appreciative of her family’s efforts at breakfast that morning.
    “Daddy says you’re working too hard, Aunt Suz.”
    Susannah glanced at her niece, who was shoving a piece of pancake in her mouth, then frowned at Lucas, who shrugged. She flashed a tight smile at Jenny. “There’s nothing wrong with hard work.”
    “There is when it is giving you permanent frown lines.” Daniel wouldn’t look at Susannah as he spoke, focusing instead on his coffee.
    Susannah scowled. “Is this how you all feel?” She waited as they exchanged knowing looks. “Well excuse me if I have to work extra hard to keep as many brothers as I can out of jail.” She stood up from the table and dropped her dishes loudly in the sink. She heard the others scatter from the table. She turned back and saw only Jonathan still sitting, sipping his orange juice, surrounded by piles of dirty dishes.
    “You could at least clear off the table if you’re so worried about me!” The only answer to her shout was a slamming screen door.
    Jonathan stood and helped her clear the table.
    “Don’t bother,” she snapped. “I’ll do it.”
    He ignored her and continued piling up the dishes, then stood by the sink to dry as she washed. Jonathan was only a year older than she was, and it was clear to her that he did not belong on the farm. He was an artist at heart, and she always pictured him filling canvases with his artwork in a studio somewhere. He was all set to go to college and study art when their mother died. He’d put off school for a year then, and when their father died, art all but disappeared from his vocabulary. Susannah still wasn’t sure if it was because he was afraid to pursue his dream or because he felt guilty about leaving his family and the farm.
    “I don’t know if I can ever thank you for what you’ve done.”
    Susannah snorted. “Stay out of trouble. That’s easy enough, right?”
    “No, I mean for everything, all of it. You’ve been what’s held this family together, since...” Jonathan stopped drying the plate in his hands and looked at her, his face contorted in an effort to hide the pain that was all too clearly etched into his expression.
    Her shoulders sagged. “I haven’t done anything that you all wouldn’t have done for me.” She winked at him. “Well, maybe not Andrew.”
    They finished the dishes in silence, and once they got them all put away, Jonathan hugged her tightly. “They’d be real proud of you, Suz. We all are.”
    Susannah tried to pull away from him, but he wouldn’t let her go.
    “Which is why we’re all worried about what you’re doing to yourself these last few weeks.”
    She stiffened in his embrace, which finally caused him to let go. She tried to step away from him, but his words stopped her.
    “So you are taking a day off. I think they call it a girls’ day