The Game of Denial by Brenda Adcock Read Free Book Online Page A

looked over her shoulder at Joan. "Thanks."
     
     
    AS SOON AS Evey closed the bathroom door, Joan fled to her room. She shut the door and leaned against it. She closed her eyes and remembered the softness of Evey's skin, the paleness of it, her broad, muscled shoulders. She shook her head to throw the thoughts from her mind. What the hell is wrong with me?
     
     

Chapter Six
     
     
     
    IT HAD BEEN a long, exhausting day of work and there were still seven days to go until the wedding. Evey sat slumped down on the couch with her legs stretched out in front of her. Her back was still a little sore, but she'd been hurt worse. Her baseball cap was pulled down over her face and her eyes were closed. Work around the farm was an everyday thing, but combined with hosting a houseful of guests and the wedding planning, she felt torn in three different directions at once. Then there had been that touch. Joan's fingers tender as they burned a path along Evey's back after her fall. She'd almost be willing to take another fall if Joan Carmichael would be her nurse afterward.
    Evey's head bounced on the back of the couch when Beth plopped her arms over it.
    "Ya sleepin'?" she asked.
    "Not anymore," Evey said.
    "I have an idea," she said.
    Evey groaned and turned her head to look at her daughter. There was no way in hell she could stop the smile that crossed her face. Twinkling hazel eyes, that matched her own, stared back at her and short, light brown hair fell forward slightly. Evey missed having her daughter at home more often.
    "What genius idea is that? If it involves more work I'm against it," she said.
    "Thought we might get everyone out of here for a little fun tonight."
    "Such as?"
    "There's a dance at Mo's tonight with a live band. Dancing's not really work."
    "I don't know, Beth."
    "Even Tully said he wouldn't mind going."
    "Really?"
    "Yep. Ralph said he'd babysit Tucker's kids for a few hours. Maybe Millie and Harlan can join us. Ray's here to see Tully. He's a really good dancer so I'll invite him. Come on, Mom. You haven't been out anywhere in years."
    "I don't know that the Carmichaels would be very thrilled about spending an evening in a beer joint slash dance hall."
    "So far I've asked everyone but you and Ms. Carmichael. Thought I'd let you do that."
    "Thanks a heap, kid." Evey grunted as she sat up. She looked at her daughter. "Meg agreed to go?"
    "Yeah. We're boring them to death with all this healthy living and solitude."
    "I'll ask her, but if she says no then I will watch the kids and give Ralph a break."
    Beth thumped Evey on the back soundly, making her wince. "Thanks Mom."
    "Hey! They know it's country-western, right?"
    Beth shrugged. "What else would we have out here?"
     
     
    "I CANNOT BELIEVE they talked Meg into this," Joan said to Charmaine as they followed the small herd of people into the building with Mo's Barn painted in white on the red roof. The parking lot was filling up fast when they arrived a little before nine that evening.
    "I can't believe they talked you into it," Charmaine said. "Maybe Meg is developing a case of the hots for civilization," she added as she entered the building and let her hips pick up the beat of the music filling the room.
    Beth followed Tully to two empty tables. They moved the chairs and pushed the tables together to make room for everyone. Despite that, it was still a close fit. As soon as they were all seated, a young woman wearing Daisy Dukes and a short-sleeved plaid shirt tied into a knot above her navel, revealing a wide expanse of skin, stopped at the tables. Her hair was plaited into a long single braid down her back.
    "Hey, Tully. Miz Chase. Brad. Beth. Long time, no see. Beers all around?"
    Joan was amused at the way the young woman looked at Tully and occasionally found a way to touch his arm or shoulder. Beth scanned the table to make sure no one wanted anything different before nodding to the woman. Joan leaned back slightly in her chair as the girl sashayed