Read Online Seeds of Summer by Deborah Vogts - Free Book Online Page B

what you wanted in Vegas, you left us. Don’t try to pretend we matter to you now. Where were you the last five months?” Chelsey shot up from her chair and stormed from the room.
    Her words stung Natalie’s cheek…and her heart. Ignoring her guest, Natalie rushed after Chelsey and caught her by the arm at the staircase. “I’m sorry I didn’t come home. Can’t you see that? I missed that time with him. If I’d been here, maybe I could have helped. Prevented it somehow.”
    â€œDon’t think you’re special,” her sister spit back, but some of the anger fizzled. “We all have those thoughts. The difference is, Dillon and I were here, and you weren’t. Now you’re home, and you want to run our lives.”
    Natalie balked. “Is that how you see it? That I want to control your life?”
    â€œThat’s how it’s always been. You were the honor student, the beauty queen, the devoted sister who took precious care of her family—Daddy’s favorite. I’m sick of trying to follow in your footsteps.” She pulled herself from Natalie’s grasp and thundered up the stairs.
    Natalie watched her go. Her vision blurred with tears as condemnation tightened her stomach. Were Chelsey’s words true? Had she abandoned them, and was she a control freak? A firm grip tugged on her shoulder, and she turned to see the gentle eyes of the man in black.
    â€œI couldn’t help overhearing.” He patted her back, the charge in his fingertips tentative and wary.
    â€œMy life is such a mess.” Natalie pressed her hands against her forehead, ready to overlook her annoyance with Jared if he could offer any suggestions.
    â€œI know you don’t like my interference,” he said. “But for whatever reason, God has put me in your path, first with Dillon and now Chelsey.”
    She closed her eyes, preparing herself for another lecture. “Go ahead. Tell me what I’m doing wrong.”
    â€œI’m not here to criticize, Natalie. Your family is suffering. It’s only natural for there to be some whiplash.”
    â€œIs that what you call it?” Natalie stepped away from him. She’dbe more inclined to say her life was out of control with her on a runaway horse about to jump off a cliff. “So, what happens now?”
    She listened while Jared outlined their plan for community service. “You think this will help?” Natalie studied the man’s confident expression and took comfort in the determined set of his jaw although she couldn’t help but wonder if a swift kick in the behind was all her sister needed.
    â€œIt might help her to think of other people instead of wallowing in self-pity, maybe learn to manage her anger in a healthier way. No more shutting doors on the people she loves.”
    Natalie lingered at the empty staircase, the bass vibrations from Chelsey’s stereo traveling through her like small currents of electricity. “ ‘Men shut their doors against a setting sun.’”
    The broken screen door creaked in the kitchen, and Natalie’s heart skipped a beat. She stepped back to see who had entered their house unannounced.
    â€œThose are pretty bleak words, even for you.” Willard’s gravelly voice carried to her from the kitchen.
    Natalie signaled her neighbor to come in. She had no idea where her words had come from, only that they had fallen from her tongue with ease, as though hidden in her soul, waiting for such a moment to make their exit.
    â€œIf I’m not mistaken, it’s Shakespeare,” Jared said.
    Natalie’s gaze traveled to Jared’s, and their eyes locked.
    â€œTimon of Athens to be exact.” Willard joined them in the living room, breaking the connection. The two men shook hands as though they’d been friends forever. “You read poetry?”
    â€œI read everything.” Jared smiled back.
    â€œYou’re the