Love Taker by Erin McCarthy

Author:Erin McCarthy
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Loveswept
Published: 2017-02-28T00:00:00+00:00

Chapter 10

“Holy crap,” Elle told her sister. “I’m sweating like a whore in church. Can we open a window in here?” She leaned over the sink in Jolene’s kitchen and splashed water on her face. “I feel like you’re firing clay in that oven, not baking a turkey.”

Jolene laughed. “I think it’s you. And I also think it’s a combination of being pregnant and being nervous. You keep glancing at your phone every three minutes to see if Tucker has texted you.”

Busted. It was Christmas Eve and Jolene’s house was full of good smells, family, and friends. All told, there were almost twenty people milling around the kitchen and hearth room and Elle was expecting Tucker any minute. He had driven straight down from Kentucky after work and she was nervous. She couldn’t deny it. Because Tucker had packed a bag and was staying with her for two days. Which meant two nights. In her bed. It scared her because look what had happened last time he’d climbed into bed with her. But she couldn’t get any more pregnant, so this had to be good. Right?

“Yes, I’m nervous. Now that Misty has bowed out, I feel things. Lots of things. But I’m definitely terrified of screwing up. I mean, look at my track record.” Elle peeled her sweater off. “It really is hot in here. I can’t be the only one who thinks so.” Jolene had a lamb’s wool sweater on, for fuck’s sake. How was it possible she wasn’t melting into a puddle?

Mama came over to them and gave Elle a hug from behind. “Lord, you’re as sweaty as a hog eating soup in August.”

Nice. “It’s hot in here!”

“She’s nervous about Tucker showing up,” Jolene said, popping a candied pecan into her mouth from the dish on her kitchen island. “It’s making her glisten.”

“Why on earth are you worried about seeing Tucker? He’s your best friend.” Mama, who had the habit of carrying her tiny handbag with her at all times, pulled the leather micro purse open and started fishing around. “Here, powder your nose and get yourself together, girl. You don’t want the father of your child thinking you’re a hot mess.”

“I’m pretty sure he already knows that,” Elle said. “But I will take the powder.”

Shane’s girlfriend, Avery, came over and fished a pecan out of the bowl for herself. “Are you okay, Elle?” she asked, sounding concerned.

Elle hadn’t had much opportunity to connect with Avery the way Jolene had. She had also noticed that Avery and Carlene seemed to be fast friends, which was interesting. It had added to her general feeling of the left-out sibling, which was ludicrous. She was thrilled that Shane had found a woman he cared about and that her mother and sister liked Avery. There was something about Avery and her fresh-faced integrity that made Elle feel insecure, which she hated. Avery was not judging her. The truth was, Elle was judging herself and she had been for years.

“I’m fine, I’m just hot.

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