Loving Lauren by Jill Sanders Read Free Book Online

into money, they had started holding annual balls for one charity or another. Lauren thought it was a way for their family to rub it in the faces of everyone who had doubted them or criticized them for selling out to the large oil companies. The ball was less about raising funds for whatever cause they were trying to get behind and more about flaunting their wealth. But it always made for a good time and the town usually talked about it for months before and after the event.
     
    Lauren remembered that Savannah had tried to work at the shelter once in high school. She'd gone a whole two days before getting fired. She couldn't keep a job for more than two weeks. Or a boyfriend, for that matter. Of course, she'd told everyone that she couldn't handle the smell of the place. “I'm sure it will be just as wonderful as last year’s ball.” Lauren walked over and sat at the table across from her and took a sip of her sweet tea.
     
    Just then, Alex walked out carrying a large glass. When Lauren looked, her sister crossed her eyes behind Savannah's back. Savannah and Alex had never really gotten along. She supposed it all started in grade school when Lauren and Savannah had gotten into a little argument. The next day, Lauren had picked her sister to play with instead of Savannah. When Savannah had marched over and told Lauren she better play with her, Alex had stood up and told her that blood was thicker than friendship and that Lauren would always pick her over her friends.
     
    Since that day, the two of them always kept their claws at bay, but let their tongues do all the lashing. Lauren had been caught in the middle of a cat war and, so far, she'd managed to keep the peace.
     
    “Yes, well. I'm determined to make it even better this year.” Her friend’s smile got really big. “I'm trying to get the Roy Carson Band. They're going to be in Tyler next month, and I'm just sure they'll be happy to play once they hear it's for a worthy cause.”
     
    “Wow, another ball,” Alex piped in, earning a stern look from both Lauren and Haley, who had so far kept quiet. “I just can't wait.” Alex's smile got really big, but her sarcasm didn't go unnoticed. Lauren kicked her sister under the table.
     
    Savannah's smile didn't waver. “Speaking of animals, I hear Chase Graham is back in town. Didn't you two used to date?” She looked at Lauren who suddenly started choking on her tea. Finally, after she could breathe again, she shook her head.
     
    “Date? No, Chase and I never really dated. We went out a few times, but you couldn't really call it dating.”
     
    “Oh, well.” Savannah frowned a little. “I ran into him at the market this morning. That's why I decided to swing by and see you. I thought you ought to know.” Then her smile was back. “He sure does know how to compliment a woman, doesn't he?” She fluffed her blonde hair. Savannah didn't believe in doing anything small. Her hair was what Alex always called Texas tall. Her shirt had so many sparkles on it, the sun flashed every time she moved. Not to mention the boulder-sized diamond earrings, necklace, and rings she wore. It was rumored that she'd had a breast enhancement in high school, although she’d already been blessed with D's at the time. Now they were the first thing most people noticed about her.
     
    “Well, you are real pretty today in that outfit.” Lauren hid the jealousy that had begun raging inside. If this was the kind of woman Chase liked, why was he kissing her in her field?
     
    “Why, thank you. I just threw this on. Trying to drum up donations for the ball, I figured I might as well look pretty. Oh, I almost forgot.” Savannah looked down at her manicured fingernails. “I was hoping you'd volunteer and help me out. I need someone to help sell tickets and I was hoping you'd talk Jamella into letting you put up a flier and sell some tickets at the diner.” Savannah fanned herself.
     
    “I'll ask. Do you—” she