Huckleberry Summer (Huckleberry Hill) by Jennifer Beckstrand

Author:Jennifer Beckstrand [Beckstrand, Jennifer]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Zebra
Published: 2014-06-03T04:00:00+00:00

Chapter Sixteen

The propane lamp glowed brightly as Estee shut the book she read and placed it on the nightstand between their beds. “The first thing Floyd wants to buy after we get married is a horse-drawn sleigh. Can you believe that, Lily? He says he wants to take me riding in a one-horse open sleigh, like in the song.” Estee giggled and reclined on her pillow, twisting the end of her braid with a faraway look in her eyes. “He’s so romantic.”

Lily lay in bed, staring at the ceiling in the room she had shared with Estee for nineteen years. This was usually her favorite time of day, just before she and Estee drifted off to sleep. They would share funny stories and giggle like little girls. For the past year, Estee had talked of almost nothing but Floyd, because she adored him and because he seemed to do either something wildly ridiculous or deliriously charming every day.

Floyd was Estee’s perfect match. Estee organized cans of soup in alphabetical order. Floyd would forget his head if it weren’t attached to his body. Dat once commented that when Floyd had children of his own, he was likely to misplace them on a regular basis. It was good Floyd had found Estee. She would never lose her own children. Her children would organize their sock drawers according to length and color and walk to church single file in matching dresses and shirts.

Tonight, Lily was on the verge of tears and the last thing she wanted to do was talk about boys, especially about any upcoming nuptials in the family. She feared if she said one word, her voice would crack and Estee would know something was wrong. She’d press Lily for answers that Lily didn’t want to give.

Part of her ached to tell Estee about Aden’s kisses. Of all people, Estee might understand. On the other hand, Estee might scold Lily for setting foot in Babylon. Lily did not want to be scolded tonight. She felt bad enough already.

Estee scooted farther under the sheets. “Is Tyler romantic? Has he ever tried to hold your hand or anything?”

“Um,” was all Lily could muster. Of course he had never tried to hold her hand.

Estee sat up and gazed at Lily. Lily wiped all expression from her face. “He has held your hand?” Estee giggled. “Did you like it?”

Estee was talking about Tyler, but all Lily could think about was the way her hand seemed to fit so nicely into Aden’s calloused one, like it was made for him. She fluffed her pillow and faced away from her sister. “Of course he hasn’t held my hand.” She would have to add that to her list of Tyler’s good qualities. He would never think of doing something so reckless.

“He came to fix the barn today. That’s sort of romantic.” Estee sighed. “A boy in love trying to win your father’s approval.”

Lily felt a pang in her heart. Estee didn’t realize how close she’d come to the truth.

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