Read Online The Sweet By and By by Sara Evans - Free Book Online Page B

tonight, while lying in bed, in the morning over coffee.” She wagged her finger at him. “You’re partly to blame. Why didn’t you tell her?”
    â€œI don’t know . . .” He reached for Jade’s hand. “Didn’t seem like such a big deal.”
    Jade tightened her fingers around his when she caught the spark in June’s eyes .
    â€œBig deal ?” She punched “big” and “deal” with a one, two of her lips and tongue. “How could you not know it was a big deal? This was a dinner party, in your honor.” June deflated and turned away, the chiffon skirt of her wine-colored gown whirling a half second behind. She pressed one hand to her forehead, another against the kitchen island.
    â€œMom.” Max stretched his hand to her shoulder, and the movement made him moan and wince.
    â€œMax.” June faced him, her pink-ringed eyes dark with concern. “Your back? Still?”
    â€œYeah, Mom, still.”
    June pinched her lips into a thin, pale line. “Jade, can you give us a moment?”
    â€œMom, no, she doesn’t need to leave.”
    â€œI need to speak to you alone.”
    A server smashed through the dining room side door. “Mrs. Benson, dessert is ready and the guests are leaving.”
    â€œOh, shoot.” She upbraided Jade with a single glare. “Serve those who remain. Freeze the rest. Now, Jade, please.”
    â€œMom,” Max protested, hands on the island as he gently stretched his left leg.
    â€œMax, I’ll get our things.” Jade brushed her normal sense of self.
    As the kitchen door closed behind her, Jade collapsed against the wall. Except for a faithful few guests, the great room echoed with clicking glasses and silverware as the servers cleaned up. Trays of chocolate mousse remained untouched.
    Jade had ruined June’s evening without intent. How could she make it right without taking their friends’ money? Ever since the first Christmas after Daddy left, she wondered if she’d ever resolve her feelings about Mama signing them up for charity gifts at school.
    â€œAiden and Jade Fitzgerald,” Mr. Ellison called over the squealing loudspeaker at the end of the school Christmas pageant. “Here are your Christmas gifts from the Salvation Army.”
    Her classmates’ snickers seeped out through hand-covered lips and burned Jade’s skin.
    Jade glanced at the dark door haloed by the kitchen light. What was June saying to Max in there? Dump that girl. Jade’s nerves twitched. Her track record with mothers was less than stellar.
    Jade had tried to erase the twenty-year-old Christmas memory, but it had found a permanent place in the front of her soul, pulled up a comfy chair, and ordered a tall latte.
    She and Aiden had been the only ones in the whole school who received charity presents that year—and for three years after.
    Jade pressed her hand over her middle. Miserable memory. She wanted to go home.
    â€œCaught you off guard, did we?” Rebel walked over and stood beside her.
    â€œA bit.” Jade stood straight, gathering her composure, putting elementary school behind her, scraping together her normal sense of self.
    â€œGet used to it.” He inhaled from his unlit cigar and blew a fake stream of smoke over Jade’s head. “I’m sure it won’t be the last.”

Six
    The conversation between Max and Jade on the short ride from the Bensons’ to the Blue Umbrella faltered.
    â€œI’m sorry, Max, about the money,” Jade said absently, staring out the passenger window. Max had exited the kitchen, after talking to his mom, stiff and closed.
    â€œSo you’ve said.”
    â€œYour mom—”
    â€œForget it.” Wincing, Max shifted sideways in his seat, gripping the steering wheel. “Oh, man, pain shooting down my leg.” He popped the wheel with his palm.
    â€œMax, aren’t you taking the pain