Read Online Shine On by Allison J. Jewell - Free Book Online

Thomas. I have been with them. I assure you it is in fact a church.”
    “This is no laughing matter, Emma. Show me your friends and I’ll show you who you are. You don’t want your reputation tainted with the likes of them. I won’t have it,” he said.
    “Well, thank you for the warning,” she huffed. “Anything else? I am very busy.”
    “Don’t be upset with me. I have your best interests at heart. Surely you know that,” he pleaded. “Besides, do you know there is a rumor they make all of those trips to Chicago because their business is on the wrong side of the law?”
    She opened her mouth to speak but stopped. It wasn’t worth dignifying his stupidity with a comment. Ava’s father’s firm had represented local police officers and city officials. People were always just jealous of those that were successful.
    “Well, I actually have to get going. I was supposed to be off thirty minutes ago,” she added snidely.
    “Remember my advice, Emma,” he called after her.
    Her hands were still shaking… her heartbeat was still pounding in her ears… but she didn’t stop. Emmie just kept on walking right out the door.

Chapter Twelve
    “R …o…b…i…n…” the boy paused sounding out each letter.
    She showed him how to chunk the word into two words and a light bulb went off. “I know it, Miss Emmie. I know it. Rob…in… Robin. Like the bird and it matches this picture.” The boy jumped up elated with himself.
    “You did it, Max. See I told you that you’d make a great reader. You just have to know all the tricks,” she smiled up at him. They were sitting on a bench outside the store. This bench had turned into a classroom two days a week and it was so much fun for both of them. Sadly, it was more fun than he’d probably have once he finally started school. Then it’d be all about memorizing and copying things from the board. Emmie knew from experience. When she graduated, she would do her best to change that.
    “I never knew big words was just made up of small ones,” he said, thumping the book with his good hand.
    “Well, what in the world is all this racket?” Walter walked up and stopped in front of them. He hooked his thumbs under the straps of his overalls like he always did.
    “Pawpaw I just figured out a big trick in reading,” he said, holding the book up.
    “Trick?” Walt questioned.
    “Yep, Max just figured out that sometimes there’s smaller words in the big ones,” Emmie answered.
    “Hmm,” Walter thought, unsure what to say. “Well, good job Max. Mamaw Mae is headed home and needs you to help shuck some more corn she’s putting up. Tell Miss Emmie thank you.”
    The boy did as he was told and turned to head home with a little pep in his step.
    “Wait,” Emmie called after him. “Would you mind walking Spotty home? I’m heading to Ava’s and he will follow me.”
    “Sure, Miss Emmie. Me and Spotty’s good friends, ain’t we?” Max patted his thigh with his good hand and whistled. The dog looked up at Emmie reluctantly.
    “Go on. I’ll be home later.” She smiled pushing him toward Max. The lazy old thing stretched then took his time walking over to Max.
    When Max and the dog made it to the end of the row of shops, Walter spoke, “He really learned good for ya? Think he’s gonna make it at school?” Walt laid it all out on in the line.
    “Oh yes. He’s a really fast learner,” Emmie assured him.
    “That’s real good.” He looked relieved. “I appreciate what you are doing.”
    “Honestly, he doesn’t need my help, really. I think I’m learning more from him than he is from me,” she said.
    Walter nodded and looked down at his feet.
    “What ever’s affected his moving… it hasn’t hurt a thing in his mind. That boy is smart.” Emmie reached up and touched the old man’s arm.
    Walt bit his bottom lip, causing the gray hair that surrounded it to stand straight up. He only nodded. Too many emotions to speak. Emmie got that.
    “Ya got time to