The House on Persimmon Road

The House on Persimmon Road by Jackie Weger Read Free Book Online Page A

Book: The House on Persimmon Road by Jackie Weger Read Free Book Online
Authors: Jackie Weger
Tags: Romance
mine!” Realizing she’d spoken aloud, Justine looked quickly about and discovered Agnes and Judy Ann had also decamped in Highsmith’s wake.
    She gave a thought to joining them, if only to monitor the conversation. No, she wouldn’t. Whatever Tucker Highsmith learned would not give him the advantage. She wouldn’t allow it. She was in control of her destiny. Not Pauline, not Agnes, not the children. Beneath her breath she called him every rogue name she could think of. Feeling much better, she resolutely pushed aside his image and continued searching for the box of food.
    —  •  —
    Tucker’s neat,” said Pip for the second time in less than an hour. “He’s gonna take me fishing first chance he gets, maybe even tomorrow.”
    “He’s got a hen with some baby chicks and I can feed them any time I want,” said Judy Ann. “So don’t throw out scraps. I’m gonna find me a pail and—”
    “Tucker said, Tucker did, Tucker has,” complained Justine to all and sundry. “You’d think Highsmith was suddenly the only man in existence.”
    “Pip needs a male role model,” suggested Pauline. “You don’t want him to grow up effeminate, do you? I think Tucker fits the bill.”
    A space had been cleared around the table in the kitchen and they were eating tuna salad sandwiches on stale bread which Justine had toasted to mask its failings. Her own appetite had disappeared. She picked at bread crusts.
    “It just seems disloyal that the first man to even breathe in his direction since Philip left, Pip goes gaga over.”
    “That could be genetic,” Pauline said and took a bite of tuna. Her face fell. “This stuff is dreadful.”
    “I’m not gaga,” protested Pip, and in the next breath said, “Tucker has a tattoo. It’s a Rebel flag and when he flexes his muscles it waves. He showed me.”
    “A tattoo?” Justine gave her mother a look of reproach. “That’s the kind of male you want your grandson to emulate?”
    “The man has nice manners. I don’t understand why you’re so hostile toward him. He was only being kind. The South is famous for its friendliness. Tucker is a gentleman through and through. Very gallant. When that bed slat fell on my foot, he was concerned, truly concerned. I found it quite pleasant.” Pauline pushed her plate aside. “When you go into town, perhaps you can find some Boursault cheese. It’s wonderful on toast points.”
    “We’re alone, with no man in the house,” put in Agnes “I think we should be careful. You certainly should not have allowed him to inspect your ankle, Pauline. We don’t know anything about him. He might not be stable.”
    “You considered we knew him well enough to allow him to put up your bed … and then move it twice until it was placed to your satisfaction. If you want to discuss instability, I can name names closer to home.”
    Justine slapped the table with the palm of her hand. A startled silence descended. “Okay. Enough. Listen, kids, why don’t you two go outside and play, inspect your new territory. I think the movers left your bikes on the front lawn. Or if that doesn’t suit, you can help unpack.”
    Pip vanished. Judy Ann lingered. “Where’re you gonna be?”
    “Right here in the kitchen. I’m not going to disappear on you, sweetie. Stop worrying.”
    “Daddy did.”
    Justine cuddled her daughter into her lap. She never seemed to have the right words ready to soothe Judy Ann’s fears. “I’m not Daddy, sweetheart. I don’t want to live without you. Where I go, you go. Where I live, you live. Even if you don’t see me, I’m here. I love you. We all do,” she added, lifting her head to include the grandmothers.
    “Right!” said Pauline. “You’re our special girl.”
    “Especially mine,” said Agnes.
    “See? We’re all here for you. Now go play, ride your bike around that big old tree out front. I’ll bet that squirrel will be so curious, he’ll come right down the trunk and watch.”
    The child slid off

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