Sweet Mercy by Ann Tatlock Read Free Book Online Page B

you.”
    â€œWhat?”
    â€œYou’re a liar!” She laughed loudly and down she went again.
    I wasn’t sure whether to be offended or to laugh along with her. I decided to let it go. When she broke through the surface of the water, I asked, “So when are you getting married?”
    She sighed an exaggerated sigh. “I don’t know for sure.”
    â€œWell, are you engaged?”
    â€œNot officially, no.”
    â€œSo whoever this Jimmy is, he hasn’t asked you to marry him?”
    â€œNot yet. But he will. And soon, I think.”
    â€œWell, if that’s what you want, then I hope you get it.” I was telling the truth. She seemed incredibly happy and her joy was infectious. We shared a smile. “By the way, Marlene, I met the red-eyed devil.”
    She stopped splashing and gave me a disbelieving look. “You did? What happened?”
    â€œNothing. We talked.”
    â€œYou talked? What did he say?”
    I thought about her question, my mind flipping through the catalogue of what Jones had said: “You can just pick yourself up off the floor. . . . Don’t dance in the ballroom. . . . I’m learning to fix radios. . . . I bet you’ve never seen anyone like me. . . .”
    Nothing seemed right. So I simply said, “We’re cousins.”
    Her wide eyes grew even wider. “You’re what?”
    â€œWell, step-cousins.”
    â€œYou mean . . .” She looked around at the others splashing in the water near us and lowered her voice. “You’re related to that freak?”
    I drew back. “He’s no freak. He’s very nice. Well, mostly, anyway.”
    â€œBut how can he be your cousin?”
    â€œMy Uncle Cy is married to his mother.”
    â€œYou mean that Cora lady?”
    â€œYes, Cora. She’s my aunt.”
    Another glance around, another whisper. “She has the consumption, you know.”
    â€œI know. But Uncle Cy has sent her to the finest sanitarium in the East. She’ll be all right.”
    Marlene eyed me warily. “Well,” she said, “this is a surprise. Who knew the devil was Mr. Marryat’s stepson? He’s only seen around here once in a blue moon, you know, and even then he’s all covered up from head to toe. Only a few people have seen his eyes. I never have and I hope I never do.” She paused long enough to shiver dramatically. “Most people assume he’s some sort of hired help. You know, like Mr. Marryat feels sorry for him, so he allows him to work here and sleep in the attic or something.”
    â€œHe doesn’t sleep in the attic,” I said, rolling my eyes at her.
    â€œHow was I to know? No one really knows anything about him.”
    â€œMaybe you would, if you talked to him.”
    â€œHe’s the one who won’t talk to anybody. He looks at the ground when he walks, like he wants to pass people by without being seen.”
    â€œListen, Marlene, he has a name, you know. It’s Jones, and I bet he’d talk to you if you said something to him. Anything. Just hello. You could give it a try.”
    She smiled, shrugged. “Well, maybe. If I ever run into him.”
    â€œYou’re not afraid, are you?”
    â€œOf course not.” She laughed, but it didn’t sound convincing.
    Before I could say anything else, Mother appeared on the shore and called my name. “We could use your help for a minute in the Eatery,” she hollered. “We have a question about the supply list.”
    â€œAll right,” I hollered back, “I’ll be right there.”
    Before I could take a step toward shore, Marlene leaped toward me and grabbed my hands. “Listen, Eve, we’re going to be great friends. I just know we are. And I want you to meet Jimmy. Tonight!”
    â€œTonight?”
    â€œYes. There’s going to be a band playing in the pavilion,