Hang Tough by Lorelei James Read Free Book Online Page B

bus.
    Tobin just happened to be putting away his tools in the mudroom when Garnet strolled into the kitchen. She gasped. “What’s this? Why are all of my cookbooks down here?”
    â€œYou don’t . . . like them there?” Jade asked warily.
    Yeah, sweetheart, you probably should’ve cleared this “surprise” with her first
, Tobin thought smugly.
    â€œI’m not one for change, Jade,” Garnet said mulishly. “I like things the way I like them.”
    â€œBut it’s not entirely my fault! I was up on the counter, getting some cookbooks, when Tobin barreled into the kitchen, scaring the life out of me. I lost my balance, fell forward and grabbed on to the shelf. All of the cookbooks crashed down—”
    â€œOn top of you? Oh, sweetheart, that’s awful! Were you hurt? Are you okay?”
    Tobin rubbed the bump behind his right temple, annoyed she hadn’t clarified that
he’d
borne the brunt of the falling books.
    â€œI’m fine. But your shelf? Not so much. Tobin tried to fix it, but he claims the shelf wasn’t meant to hold heavy cookbooks. That’s why I swapped out your knickknacks.”
    Oh, you little liar.
    But she hadn’t really . . . lied. She’d merely twisted things around to save her own cute butt.
    Tactical error, darlin’. One that’s gonna cost you.
Because now? It was on.
    Tobin opened and closed the back door as if he’d just waltzed in. “Hey, Miz G. How was your lunch?”
    â€œBoring. No Jell-O fights. No hair pulling. Pearl didn’t even get to whack anyone with her cane.” Her eyes turned shrewd. “Next time you think about messing around with any of my stuff without asking first? Don’t.”
    Jade looked guilty as hell.
    â€œUnderstood.”
    She patted his arm, as if all was forgiven. “Now be a dear and grab the bags of top soil out of my trunk.”
    â€œYou didn’t have to buy dirt. I would’ve dug up soil out of the garden for you.”
    â€œI appreciate that. But my potted petunias are looking puny and my buddy Tony the Stoner said my soil might be worn out and I need to repot them.”
    Jade choked on her glass of water.
    Miz G whacked her hard on the back. “Lordy, I’d hate to imagine how badly you’d fare after a prairie fire shot if you choke on water, Jade.”
    Tobin hid his smirk, waiting to see how she’d respond to that.
    â€œI choked after hearing you mention Tony the Stoner! How on earth do you know someone like that? Did these Mud Lilies friends of yours introduce you to him?” she demanded. “Because I think they’re a bad influence on you.”
    She’d done it now.
    But Miz G just blinked. “What in heaven’s name are you talkin’ about? The Mud Lilies have nothin’ to do with this. I’ve known Tony for years. I’ve been buying pot—”
    â€œOmigod, GG! I do
not
want to hear this. You know I have to tell my dad about the stuff you’re doing that might be wrong or illegal!”
    â€œTake it down a notch, Jade, and listen up,” Tobin interjected. Then he addressed Garnet. “Where does Tony work and what does he do there?”
    â€œHe works at the building center in Rawlins. He usually runs the masonry department. In the summer months he’s in charge of the home and garden section.” Miz G looked baffled. “Sonny, have you been drinking? You know all of this. Tony the Stoner did the stonework up at the Split Rock.”
    â€œAnd you call him Tony the Stoner . . . because he installs stone.”
    â€œWhat else would I call him?” She huffed out a breath. “Although, now that you mention it, when he changed departments to the garden center he did ask me to stop calling him Tony the Pot Pusher.”
    Tobin busted out laughing because Jade looked totally poleaxed.
    Welcome to daily life with Garnet Evans.
    Miz