Read Online Just Kiss Me by Rachel Gibson - Free Book Online

Jeffers was just dropping off her cake as I pulled in the driveway.” He looked up. “She said she’ll be bringing over a chicken-and-rice casserole as soon as it thaws.”
    “Wait.” Vivien pointed to the floor. “She’s not bringing it here, right?”
    “Etta’s going to crow about being the first on the scene with her condolence cake, and she’ll naturally expect to see it at the reception next to Louisa Deering’s Twinkie loaf just to show off.” Nonnie sighed and put one long finger to her bottom lip as she studied the lopsided cake. “For Christmas, Louisa made a wreath out of those little cocktail weenies. Bless her heart.”
    “Ms. Jeffers isn’t bringing her casserole to this house. Right?” Vivien repeated herself. She’d been to a handful of funerals growing up, and she clearly recalled table after table weighted down with every conceivable kind of casserole and salad concoction. The last thing she needed to deal with was Cherry Coke Jell-O.
    “No. This kitchen is too small for bereavement offerings.”
    Just as Vivien thought, a ton of funeral food was headed her way.
    “I’ll call Etta and have her tell the ladies at St. Phillip’s to come to the front of the big house.” The top layer of the cake slid off and broke into several pieces. “Well, there is nothing that can be done for that cake now. I’ll tell Etta we couldn’t help ourselves and ate it up.”
    Nonnie was going to lie? The woman who’d always demanded Vivien tell the truth or receive some sort of punishment? Vivien opened her mouth and, before she thought better of it, said, “‘Lies make baby Jesus cry.’”
    Nonnie’s head whipped around and her wide eyes narrowed. “Little white lies, told in loving kindness, are God’s tender mercies.”
    “Where’s that in the Bible?”
    Henry’s deep chuckle made both women turn their attention on him. Amusement shined in his deep brown eyes as he walked to the counter and pulled a paper towel from the roll. “Some shit never changes.”
    “Henry! I did not send you to the best schools in the country for you to express yourself with common vulgarities.”
    “Pardon my common vulgarities.” Henry looked down and wiped thick frosting and coconut from his shirt. “With all the bossing and sassing, it sounds like old times around here.” He glanced up and recognized the displeasure in his mother’s gaze before he turned his attention to Vivien. It didn’t look like old times, though. Vivien was no longer the plump little girl who stuck her tongue out at people when she thought they weren’t looking. All grown up and gorgeous, she made him think of interesting places she could stick her tongue.
    “No one is bossing anyone around, Henry Thomas. I’m offering gentle guidance. I don’t know where you get your ideas.” His mother carried two plates of half-eaten toast to the counter. “I’ll go call the parish rector and make him aware of Macy Jane’s passing. I’m sure we can get in to see him today.”
    “Today?” Vivien looked overwhelmed and anxious and gorgeous. Her hair still sleep tousled and her thin little body wrapped in silk. He’d noticed how skinny she was last night. He’d noticed other changes in her, too. Like losing her accent. Which was a real shame. Henry truly did love sweet words spilling like honey from a Southern girl’s lips.
    “It has to be done before we make arrangements with Stuhr’s. You’ll need to choose a time and day and Eucharistic ministers.”
    “Oh.” Vivien’s green eyes rounded a little and she shook her head. A length of her dark hair fell forward and she pushed it back. “I don’t know anything about planning a funeral or Eucharistic ministers.”
    “That’s because you didn’t spend enough time in the community of Christ contemplating sin and mortality. I’ll make a call to St. Phillip’s and make the appointment to see Father Dinsmore,” said the woman who claimed she wasn’t bossy.
    Henry threw the paper