Jezebel by Jacquelin Thomas Read Free Book Online Page B

get to Atlanta and see her new house. Traynor had told her that it was two stories and had three bedrooms and two baths. He told her that she could change anything in the house she didn’t like. She imagined herself getting out of the Thunderbird and walking up to a huge brick mansion.
    Her parents arrived home just as they were putting the suitcases into the trunk of the car.
    â€œY’all gon’ stay for breakfast?” her mother asked.
    Jessie Belle shook her head no before Traynor could open his mouth to utter a response. “Ma, we need to get on the road. We’re gonna stop along the way. Thank you, though.”
    Traynor and her father walked over to the porch and talked.
    â€œYou married now, gal. It’s time for you to act like a proper lady. Be careful not to ruin Traynor’s good name. He don’t deserve that.”
    â€œI’m not gon’ do anything to ruin my marriage, Ma. I feel like a rich lady now.” Tossing her curly hair over her shoulders, Jessie Belle added with a chuckle, “I might not even know who you are the next time you see me.”
    â€œYou might be on your high horse right now, Jessie Belle Holt, but it’s still a pony to me. Mind your horse don’t throw you, gal.”
    â€œIt’s Mrs. Traynor Deveraux,” she shot back. “And don’t you go forgetting it.”
    Grinning, Anabeth hugged her daughter. “My sharp-tongued chile. I wish you all the happiness in the world. Call me regular, now. I don’t want to be worrying about you up there in Atlanta.”
    â€œWe’re only three hours away, Ma. I’ma be just fine.”
    â€œStop talking like a country gal. You a big-city gal now.”
    â€œI’ll be fine.”
    â€œThat’s much better. If you want money—you got to walk around like you already got it.”
    She blew Jessie Belle a kiss before turning around and walking up the steps to the porch, where Elias pulled her into his arms.
    Jessie Belle had already said her goodbyes, so she stood beside the car while Traynor hugged her parents.
    She was ready to leave.
    Jessie Belle nearly cheered when she saw the sign bidding them farewell from the city of Mayville. She vowed to never return to this dying town of her birth—except to bury her parents. Now that she was free, she never wanted to look back.
    â€œThink you gonna miss Mayville?” Traynor asked.
    Jessie Belle shook her head no. “Not hardly. I’ve been wanting to leave this place since forever.”
    He glanced over at her. “I know you’re gonna miss your parents.”
    â€œYeah,” Jessie Belle murmured. “But we’re a family now. Besides, I’m sure they’re happy to finally have the house to themselves.” She was more than ready to get away from Mayville and her parents.
    It was the first day of the rest of her life.

    Jessie Belle swallowed her disappointment when Traynor pulled into the driveway of a redbrick two-story house that had clearly seen better days. “Is this the house?”
    â€œYeah, sweetheart. This is our house. Our home.”
    He seemed so proud and excited about it, but Jessie Belle just couldn’t summon up the enthusiasm. It was bigger than the house she’d grown up in, but not by much. This was not the house she’d dreamed about or the house that he’d described as elegant. It wasn’t even pretty—just functional.
    Traynor insisted on carrying her over the threshold.
    Jessie Belle didn’t think much of the idea but kept quiet. She didn’t want to hurt Traynor’s feelings when her husband was trying to be romantic.
    He gave her a tour of his house. She wasn’t ready to call it her home.
    The rooms weren’t very large, Jessie Belle noted sadly. This was definitely not the grand house she’d imagined they would be living in.
    â€œWhat’s wrong, sweetheart?” Traynor inquired. “You look