Bet on a Mistletoe by Yvette Hines Read Free Book Online Page A

Lorna. You need someone in your corner pleading your case.”
          His
mind flashed back to the kiss outside. “I think I’m pleading my own case just
fine.”
          “Maybe,”
she giggled. “If what was going on at the bar was any example…,” waving her
hand away, she continued, “Lorna can be a little blind when it comes to matters
of the heart.”
          “What’s
in it for you?” He crossed her arms over his chest.
          “Nothing, just a friend who will hopefully stay in town.” The smile slid from her face and a small shadow of sadness clouded her
features.
          Believing
her motives, he nodded. “Thanks, Tasha.”
          Without
another comment, they joined the few people remaining in the restaurant.

      “So, we’ve
talked about my spoiled darlings. Your parents. My parents. My brother Simmons and his no good cheating
wife.” Tasha continued to count across one hand. “Oh, discussed Ms. Huntley who
is going to design a blanket for your mother and Mr. Huntley who’s fashioning a
cane for your father.” She paused, “There’s only two things we haven’t talked
about.”
          Lorna
stood up and put their chicken salad plates in the sink. Stepping to the
cabinet she reached inside for two saucers, “More coffee?” She turned and
smiled at her friend.
          Raising
an eyebrow, Tasha nodded. “Yes, thank you.”
          Stalling,
that’s exactly what Lorna was doing. For the past hour and a half, she’d been
dancing around the only two conversations she didn’t want to talk about, work
and Richard.
          Moving
back to the table, she sliced the pound cake, still warm from the oven. Her
father had whipped it up this morning before he headed out.
          “How
long are you staying?” Tasha’s mind had always been like a steel trap. Once
that girl latched on to something it took the Jaws of Life to pry her off it.
          Barely
settling into her chair, Lorna assessed Tasha. This was a girl who knew all of
her secrets from school. Could she still trust her? Or had time changed the
girl she once knew.
          Tasha
forked through her cake and sipped at her coffee, waiting.
          Lorna
knew the answer. Tasha and her parents had been her champions when she talked
about moving to Washington to live and work. Once in D.C., she had been the one
too busy to call or write, not Tasha. Deciding not to ponder questions of
Tasha’s sincerity, Lorna began talking.
          When it
was over, Tasha did what she always did when Lorna had an emotional burst,
hugged her.
          “Well,
I’m sure your parents are happy to have you here either way.” Tasha leaned
back.
          Taking
a big bite of her cake, Lorna mumbled. “I haven’t told them.”
          “Why not?”
          “I
don’t want them to be ashamed of me.”
          “Lorna?”
Doubt filled Tasha’s voice.
          She
shrugged. “Okay. They won’t,” she confessed. “Maybe I’m the one that’s ashamed
of my own shortcomings. My parents are getting old and I should be in the
position to take care of them. Not the other way around.”
          “Things
always have a way of working out.” Tasha patted her knee. “Whatever the cause,
I’m glad you’re home.”
          “So am
I.” Lorna was amazed to know that her words were true. There was something
comfortable and familiar about her small town. Things she’d always tried to get
away from.
          “Now,
we’re at the elephant.” Tasha served herself another slice of pound cake.
          There
was only one conversation they hadn’t talked about. “Do I think that Ms.
Macready will say yes this Christmas to Mr. Deerjohn? It’s been forty years.”
          “There’s
that. Or we can talk about Richard and you.”
          “There
isn’t a Richard and me.” Lorna drank some coffee.
          “That’s
not how it appeared the other night at the