Read Online Small Town Girl by Ann H. Gabhart - Free Book Online Page B

day without saying boo to any of us. Well, he left a note. Told Mama to run the store and Aunt Hattie to live here in his house. Giving orders even as he put Rosey Corner in his rearview mirror.”
    “Where’d he go?”
    “Oregon.”
    Jay whistled softly. “Must have got a real case of the wanderlust.”
    “Have you ever been to Oregon?” She looked back at him.
    “Haven’t wandered that far yet. Been to Tennessee. South Carolina. Ohio. Thinking about Illinois next. They say the Great Lakes are something to see. I’ll get out to the West sooner or later though. A lot to see out that way too.”
    “How does it feel to just pick up and leave home?”
    “You gotta have a home before you can leave one.” He ran his hand over the concrete beside him as if he needed to smooth it down. “So that’s not something I’ve had to worry about. I’ve been pretty much on my own a long time.”
    “No family?”
    “None that give me any thought.” He had family. A sister and three half brothers, last he’d heard, but it had been years since he’d seen his sister and he’d never seen the brothers.
    “But family’s important.” Her shoulders slumped and she stared down at her hands.
    “You missing your grandfather? Were the two of you close?”
    “I wouldn’t say that. Nobody was really close to Grandfather Merritt. At least not here. I don’t know about out there. He got married again, so maybe.”
    “Then what’s making you so blue, Miss Merritt? You wishing you were the bride instead of your sister?”
    “Oh no. I wouldn’t steal Evie’s happiness. Not for anything.” She glanced up at him with a genuine look of denial, but then she let her eyes drop back down to her lap. “It’s just that nothing will ever be the same again with her married. I guess I’m missing her already. She’s irritating and bossy and drives me crazy, but she’s my sister. And now she won’t be living at home anymore.”
    Jay wanted to put his arm around her, but thought better of it. Instead he reached over and gave her hand a sympathetic squeeze. Then he kept hold of her hand and scooted a little closer to let his shoulder touch hers. He wondered if she’d slap him if he tried for a kiss. His own lips tingled with thethought, but she kept her head bent, looking down at his hand on hers. She didn’t pull away.
    He leaned over to peek up into her face. “She’s not going to Oregon. She’ll be right here in Rosey Corner every weekend, driving you crazy like always. Being the preacher’s wife will give her the chance to be double bossy.”
    A corner of her mouth twitched up in a smile.
    “You’re right,” she said without looking up. “She’ll be unbearable.”
    “Completely,” he agreed. He took a chance and reached with his other hand to tip her face toward his. That put her lips enticingly close, and he had to moisten his own lips before he could continue talking. “If you ask me, Mike picked the wrong sister. But I’m kind of glad he did.”
    Her eyes popped open a little wider at that. Beautiful eyes sparkling with life. Her breath was coming faster, mingling with his.
    “Can I kiss the sister of the bride?” he whispered.
    She tilted her face up toward him, a truer yes than one spoken. But he wasn’t quick enough. There was a shout behind him. A rough hand on his shoulder jerked him back.
    “What do you think you’re doing with my girl?” The farm boy balled up his fists and glared at Jay.
    Jay scrambled to his feet and gave the farm boy what he hoped was a calming look. He didn’t want to ruin his new suit in a fight with the hayseed. Besides, it was his best friend’s wedding day. Not a good time to punch out one of his church members. Too bad Mike wasn’t around to soothe the guy’s ruffled feathers.
    “Whoa, buddy.” Jay held up his hands in a gesture of surrender. “Take it easy. Nothing’s going on here that you need to get all worked up over. We were just having a little