Read Online Summer Vows (Arabesque) by Rochelle Alers - Free Book Online Page A

but then she would come back with “I happen to know the year, day and hour you were born.”
    “You’ll be the first to know when I find the woman I want to spend the rest of my life with.”
    “Jacob?”
    “What is it, Mom?”
    “Nelson was picked up by the police yesterday.”
    “Picked up or arrested?”
    “He was arrested.”
    “What did he do this time?” His stepbrother couldn’t stay out of trouble if someone paid him a million dollars.
    “They claim he and some other boys stole a car and then robbed a convenience store. A cashier was shot—”
    “Stop right there, Mom,” Jacob interrupted. “I’m not getting involved with this. Nelson Deavers is trouble and the sooner you and Henry accept that fact the better you’ll sleep at night. The last time I intervened and got the police to drop the charges Nelson promised me he wouldn’t get into trouble again. Stealing cars and shooting people are not misdemeanors and that means he’s going to prison. Tell Henry I’m sorry, but his boy is on his own.” He saw movement out the side of his eye and picked up the telephone receiver when Ana walked into the kitchen. “Mom, can I call you back later?”
    “Of course you can. Please don’t forget to call me.”
    His eyes met those of the petite woman in a tank top, shorts and flip-flops before glancing at the swell of breasts in the revealing top. Jacob didn’t want to believe that an oversize T-shirt and jeans had concealed a lush, tiny, curvy, compact body. Even Ana’s legs and feet were perfect.
    “I won’t.” Jacob hung up, unaware that he’d been staring.
    Ana’s hand went to her head as she attempted to fluff up the short, wet hair clinging to her scalp. “I’m sorry to intrude.”
    “It’s all right. I was going to hang up anyway.” Even if Ana hadn’t come into the kitchen Jacob had planned to end the conversation he had with his mother. It hurt Jacob that she only called when she needed his help with her stepsons. “Did you need something?”
    She nodded. “I don’t have enough hangers.”
    He forced himself not to look at the outfit that showed a little too much skin while hoping Ana wasn’t going to make it a habit of prancing around in next to nothing because it was going to make it hard for him to remember why she was living with him.
    “How many do you need?”
    “I’m not certain, but it has to be at least another twenty.”
    “What?”
    A slight smile touched the corners of Ana’s mouth when she saw his shocked expression. “I’ll take ten, but that would mean doubling up some of my things.”
    “I have a few. But if you need more then you’ll have to wait until tomorrow when I go out.”
    Ana lifted her shoulders. “I suppose I’ll have to wait to hang up what’s leftover.”
    “Why did you bring so many clothes?”
    She took several steps, bringing them closer. “I didn’t know whether you’d have a washing machine—”
    “It wouldn’t have mattered if I did or didn’t, because you claim you don’t know how to use it.” Jacob saw a wave of color darken her face. “If you want I can show you how to use the washer and dryer.” When Ana stared at him, he thought of the saying that if looks could kill then he definitely would’ve stopped breathing. “Suit yourself,” he mumbled under his breath, “if you don’t want to grow up.”
    “I’m definitely grown, Jacob. I can’t get any more grown, just older,” she retorted.
    “Grown women I know do laundry, shop for groceries, cook and clean up after themselves.”
    Ana didn’t intend to get into a verbal confrontation with Jacob over a lifestyle that had served her well with a minimum of angst. She knew who and what she was—privileged—and she wasn’t about to apologize to anyone about it, and especially not to him.
    “Can you please tell me or show me where the hangers are?”
    “You’ll find more in the bedroom across from the bathroom.”
    Ana flashed a dimpled smile. “Thanks.”