Read Online Never Let You Down: The Connaghers, Book 4 by Joely Sue Burkhart - Free Book Online Page A

Jeb to me. He even told me to go to Texas A&M if I wanted. That an extra four years would be good for both of us. So we’d be sure. But I wasn’t having any of that. We never mentioned it again, not in all the years we were married. In fact, Ty stood up for Jeb at his wedding. Isn’t that strange?”
    “I think it just showed how much Daddy loved you, and how much he valued Mr. Garrett as well. I used to love all of Miss Belle’s stories about the shenanigans you used to get into together. So what happened between you two?”
    “We kissed. Once. That’s it.”
    Vicki let out a low whistle. “One kiss and they beat the tar out of each other? That must have been one hell of a kiss.”
    Virginia busied herself sorting through the top drawer of the vanity to pick a lipstick that wouldn’t clash with the rich red of the gown. “Oh I don’t really remember,” she managed to reply breezily. “It was a long time ago. I’d be surprised if Jeb even remembers.”
    “Oh he remembers all right. I could see it on his face that night at dinner.”
    By the slightly smug tone of her voice, her daughter must have noticed the very careful way Virginia was avoiding her gaze. She selected a nude lipstick and leaned closer to the mirror to apply it, irritated that the skin of her throat was starting to color. She didn’t blush like most people. Her cheeks didn’t betray her until later. First, her throat and chest darkened with splotches of red.
    “Even better, he wants to remember a great deal more, if you’ll let him.”
    “I have only just begun even thinking about dating another man, but it can’t be Jeb Garrett. This is only old friends reconnecting, nothing more.”
    Vicki made a low choking sound that almost drew Virginia’s gaze up to her face. Almost, but not quite. “Why on earth not? The man obviously adores you. Just think about him pining away all these years—”
    “Don’t be ridiculous,” Virgina broke in. “We were both happily married.”
    “That’s it, isn’t it,” Vicki said slowly. “You think that it’d be cheating on Daddy again if you start things up with Jeb.”
    Virginia flinched before she could hide the reaction. She didn’t have an answer.
    “Oh, Mama,” Vicki breathed out. “You do have feelings for him, or you wouldn’t feel guilty.”
    “I never said that.”
    “You didn’t have to,” Vicki said tartly. “Now you listen to me. Don’t you think Daddy forgave and forgot that kiss about a million years ago? So why can’t you enjoy rekindling that old flame now?”
    “I’m not rekindling anything!”
    “You must have felt something. He must have meant something to you or you wouldn’t be so reluctant to talk about it.”
    “He means nothing to me.” Yet her words rang with untruth, a heavy ugly jarring note that set her teeth on edge. “He was my best friend until I was married. Nothing else.”
    “And your husband’s been in heaven for twelve years.” Vicki said it gently, her hands settling on Virginia’s shoulders. A firm, steadying weight. “If he were here, what would he say?”
    She knew, thanks to the vision she’d had after the accident. You’ve been alone too long.
    “It doesn’t have to be him. It shouldn’t be.”
    “What better man could Daddy recommend than your best friend?”
    The very idea made Virginia groan and cover her face with her hands.
    “Mama, give Mr. Garrett a chance. I think Daddy would approve. For all you know, he’s using his angel status to bring Mr. Garrett straight to you.”
    Her eyes burned but she made herself snort. “You think your daddy was an angel? Honey, you’ve got no idea.”
    “Only a saint could have put up with you all those years,” Vicki retorted, her tone lightened by the sparkle in her eyes.
    “Ain’t that the truth.” Virginia stood and faced the mirror one last time. The stranger looked back at her, eyes dark and eager. Did Jeb have any idea what kind of pain and darkness lurked inside her? He’d