Home with My Sisters by Mary Carter Read Free Book Online Page A

him.”
    â€œI can’t believe you’re doing this to us.”
    â€œWe’ve only been seeing each other six months.”
    â€œSo?”
    It looked like Hope wasn’t going to completely get out of the breakup portion of the relationship. “The six-month gift is perfume or a nice necklace—not a trip to Hawaii.”
    â€œYou can pay me back.”
    â€œI don’t want to pay you back. I don’t want to go.”
    â€œYou don’t want to go to Hawaii, or you don’t want to go to Hawaii with me?” There was hurt stamped in his eyes. She bet he had an extreme fishing adventure planned in Hawaii and that kept her from feeling too sorry for him.
    â€œI don’t think we’re a match.”
    â€œObviously,” he said.
    â€œPardon?” She didn’t know why she was letting him goad her. She should just let him say whatever he wanted as long as she ended up free.
    â€œHow could you turn down a trip to Hawaii? That’s insane. I even have a deep-sea fishing excursion booked!”
    She knew it. “I hate fish.”
    â€œWhat?”
    â€œI. Hate. Fish.”
    â€œYou’re just trying to upset me.”
    â€œNo, it’s true. I loathe them. Scaly, slimy, foul-smelling, hideous things. I have nightmares about them.”
    â€œI can’t believe you.”
    Hope threw her arms open à la What are you going to do? “Well, I’m glad you found out now. Better than slogging through another six months, right?” Or six days . She was never going to fall in love again. It was torture being trapped with the wrong person, pure torture.
    â€œYou’re unbelievable.”
    â€œI don’t know what else to say. Bon voyage. Mele kilikimaka. ”
    â€œWhat?” Michael said, mouth open.
    â€œThat’s the island greeting that they send to you from the land where palm trees stray.”
    Michael just stood and stared. Austin laughed quietly in the background. Hope hopped into Austin’s truck. His laughter grew louder.
    â€œWhat?” Hope demanded.
    â€œIt’s sway .”
    She had no idea what he was talking about. “What is?”
    â€œFrom the land where palm trees sway. ”
    â€œWhat did I say?”
    â€œStray.”
    â€œI did not.”
    â€œYou most certainly did.”
    Hope opened her mouth to protest again and then laughed. “Guess I still have work on my mind.” This time they shared the laugh. Hope exhaled.
    â€œYou okay?” Austin said.
    â€œLet’s go,” Hope said.
    â€œIs he writing down my license plate?” Austin was staring through the rearview mirror.
    â€œAnd posting it to Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest, and Insta-gram,” Hope said.
    Austin laughed. “I didn’t understand half of what you just said, but I’m okay with it.”
    So he was a mountain man who was also out of touch with the popular world. It made her like him even more. Joy was completely obnoxious on social media and so was her mother. Austin stared at her. She didn’t know what he was waiting for. She felt a flash of heat on her face as they looked at each other. “Where to?” he said at last.
    Oh, duh. “My place so I can pack. Then, as long as you’re fit to drive this late, Joy is in Seattle,” Hope said.
    â€œFit as a fiddle,” he said with a grin.
    Hope purposefully avoided raking her eyes over his strong jawline and muscular arms. “But we’re probably going to have to take her by force.”
    â€œAs soon as I get coffee I’ll be fit to keep driving, but I’ll leave the force to you,” Austin said.
    â€œMay the force be with me,” Hope said. “Got it.”
    Austin laughed. “You’re funny,” he said. A warm flush worked its way through Hope. Michael had never laughed at her jokes. Austin massaged the top of the dog’s gigantic head. “And there’s not much room. We’ll have