Home Is Where the Heart Break Is by Tess Oliver Read Free Book Online Page A

antiques around the world, and she had this great explosive laugh that would both startle you and make you smile at the same time.
    Aunt Sadie was using a walker to get around, and she scooted out from behind her counter to greet us. It was shocking to see because normally she’d been the type to bustle around as if she had wings on her shoes. She’d gained a lot of weight since I’d seen her last. It had been four years since she’d traveled to see us at Christmas and then the trips had become too taxing. I was always angry at Mom for not going to see her. My mom lost her mom to cancer when she was nineteen, and Aunt Sadie had become like a mother to her.
    Sadie was a hugger but it was obvious her back was troubling her. I put my arms lightly around her and kissed her cheek. I stepped back.
    “Look at how beautiful you are, Jessa.” She grinned at Mom. “You are still beautiful too, Charlene.”
    “Thank you.” Mom kissed her cheek. “How are you feeling?”
    “Terrible, just terrible and with the summer season starting,” she took hold of Mom’s hand, “I’m just glad you’re here.”
    “We’re glad to be here, Sadie,” Mom glanced around the store. “You have a lot more stuff or maybe it’s just been so long, I’ve forgotten.”
    “It has been too long.” Sadie’s cheeks had always been round, but now they were plump enough to nearly hide her twinkly green eyes. In fact with her pale, nearly white hair, she reminded me a bit of Mrs. Claus. “So, Jessa, have you seen the boys?”
    “The boys?” I asked feigning ignorance.
    “You know who I’m talking about. I know the dark haired one with the nice smile--” She looked at me. “What was his name?”
    “Chase.”
    “Right, Chase, is such a nice boy.” Then she drew in her bottom lip and her sparkly eyes looked worried. “I hate to be the person to break the news to you, but I think he’s been very serious with the Pruitt girl.” Sadie turned to Mom. “That man turned out to be a stock market genius,” she lowered her voice as if some of her old stuff had ears, “although I think he was involved with some insider trading shenanigans because he got rich almost overnight.” Like she was watching slow motion tennis match she turned back to me. “Anyhow, Sweetie, I hope you’re not too heartbroken. Anyhow you are much prettier.”
    I took her hand. “It’s all right, Aunt Sadie. I already knew and I’m happy that Chase has someone.”
    The expression she gave me was the classic, yes, of course you are , look.
    I was about to insist that I really didn’t mind but decided to let her have her fun. She seemed to revel in the drama of it all.
    A frown pulled down her mouth. “Now, Nicholas is another story altogether. He’d gotten so out of control that his father sent him to live with his mother. He’s back now . . .” She shook her head. “You should definitely stay away from that one.”
    “Nico and I are still friends, Aunt Sadie. I have no plans to stay away from him. And his father--”
    Mom touched my arm and shook her head. She was right. It was better to just smile and pretend to take Aunt Sadie’s advice. Fortunately, she was done with my session of helpful hints. She moved on to my mom who was completely blindsided.
    “Charlene, what on earth happened with your last fiancé? He seemed so perfect. We need to find you someone who will stick around.”
    I left my poor mom standing wide-eyed and open mouthed as I walked to the backroom to answer my cell phone.
    “Hey.”
    I recognized his voice instantly. “Hey.”
    We’d driven home from the river with hardly a word between us as if we were both trying to absorb how this whole thing was going to play out.
    “I’ve got a lunch break at one. Why don’t you come to the marina and meet me then.”
    “All right.”
    “Jessa!” Sadie called from the front of the shop.
    “I’ll see you then, Nico. Bye.”
    After a morning of organizing porcelain cups and old prints, I