The Wedding Tree by Robin Wells Read Free Book Online

granddaughter.”
    â€œI’m Jillian Armand.” She gave my hand a tentative squeeze.
    The man held out his hand. “And I’m Matt Lyons.” His palm was solid, his fingers strong. A rush of adrenaline zinged through my veins. The name sounded familiar, but I couldn’t remember where I’d heard it. Touching him made it hard to remember much of anything.
    â€œHow’s your grandmother?” asked Jillian.
    â€œBetter. She’s regained consciousness.”
    â€œGlad to hear it,” said Matt. “I was really worried when I found her in the shed.”
    Pieces of information clicked together in my head. That’s why I recognized his name—Mrs. Ivy had mentioned it on the phone.Come to think of it, Gran had mentioned it last winter when she told me about new neighbors moving in next door. “I owe you a huge thanks.”
    Matt lifted his shoulders. “It was unusual for her shed door to be open, so I thought I’d better check.”
    â€œPeople in Wedding Tree try to look out for each other.” Jillian’s gaze flicked over my gown, then darted away, as if she were embarrassed. “But we can talk about all that later; it looks like we caught you at an inconvenient time.” She nudged Sophie toward the foyer. “We need to get out of here and give you some privacy.”
    â€œOh, um, that’s all right,” I stammered.
    â€œAre you here with your husband?” Jillian asked.
    â€œMy husband? Oh, no. He’s not—I mean, I’m, uh, divorced.” Oh, God—did she think I’d been in the middle of an afternoon delight? The attire certainly suggested it. Holy furburgers—did Matt think the same? My face burned. “I was just, uh, trying on some of my grandmother’s clothes. I was looking in her closet . . . I’m a vintage clothing freak, and . . .” My voice trailed off weakly.
    â€œWell.” Jillian glanced at Matt as she herded Sophie toward the door. “We should leave you in peace.”
    â€œOh, no, it’s okay,” I babbled.
Way to go, Hope. Beg them to stay so you can humiliate yourself some more.
    Jillian opened the screen door and ushered Sophie onto the porch. “Nice to meet you. I’m sure we’ll see you later.”
    â€œBye!” called Sophie. “Thanks for the cookie.”
    â€œYou’re welcome.”
    â€œSorry for the intrusion,” Matt said. I could tell he was trying to keep his gaze above my neck, but it slipped downward as he exited the house. A wave of heat flushed over me.
    Terrific, I thought, closing the heavy door behind them and sinking against it. Nothing like making a good first impression on the neighbors.

4

    matt
    I can’t believe she was trying on her grandmother’s clothes,” Jillian said as soon as we’d stepped through the front door of my house.
    â€œI can’t believe those clothes belong to anyone’s grandmother,” I remarked. My head was still reeling with the image of the fresh-faced brunette in that sheer gown and robe, standing in the kitchen, eating cookies with my daughter. The juxtaposition of the domestic scene with the erotic attire was jarring, to say the least—not to mention sexy as hell. I have to admit, the sight had aroused me as nothing had in the two years since my wife’s death. My reaction to the tousle-haired woman left me feeling edgy and oddly guilty.
    â€œWhat’s wrong with playin’ dress-up?” Sophie asked.
    â€œNothing, honey.” Jillian smiled down at her, then gave me a pointed look. “If you’re four.”
    â€œI thought she looked bootiful,” Sophie said.
    I didn’t get a back view, but I imagined Sophie was right.
    â€œI can’t believe she opened the door wearing nothing but a nightie,” Jillian sniffed.
    â€œShe didn’t,” Sophie said. “I crawled in through the doggie