Parting Secrets by Becky Melby

Author:Becky Melby
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Barbour Publishing, Inc.
Published: 2013-10-09T00:00:00+00:00

twelve

“That’s w–wonderful. Congratulations.” Popcorn rained onto the couch and tumbled to the floor.

“Thank you. It’s crazy. Me, Miss Independent, giving up my career for a man. But Lindy was a full-time homemaker, and she set the bar high. She always had supper on the table exactly at six, and she ironed his shirts and even did the yard work. If that’s what Steven wants in a wife, that’s what he’ll get. It’s a small price to pay, don’t you think?”

Jeanie’s mouth parted. Her lips wouldn’t cooperate. “Wh–when are you getting married?”

The giggle rattled her eardrum. “We don’t have a date set yet—you know how Steven is. . . .”

Evidently I don’t have a clue. “Uh-huh.”

“But I’d love you to make our cake.”

Eyes focused on nothing, Jeanie nodded.

“Jeanie?”

“Oh. . .yes, of course. I’d be. . .honored.”

Gretchen made a funny little gasp that Jeanie couldn’t decipher. “Jeanie?”

Please, please don’t ask if I’m okay with this. “Yes?”

“Are you okay with this?”

Lord, forgive me, I’m about to lie. She sucked in a ragged breath. “Of course! Yes, of course. Congratulations.”

“Thank you. I just don’t want anything straining our friendship.” She gave a tittery laugh. “After all, I’m going to be your daughter’s stepmother.”

The popcorn bag let out a whoosh as Jeanie crushed it into the couch cushion. Lifting it, she crunched it again before firing it at the TV. It dropped to the floor, leaving behind a greasy mark on the screen. Jeanie looked down at the matching stain on the cushion. “Gretchen, my mother just got home.” From taking the trash to the curb. The statement was irrelevant, but at least it was true. “Congratulations again. Bye.”

“Okay, bye. See you on Wednesday.”

Not a chance. I’m going to be so sick by Wednesday.

❧

“. . .and how would you feel about green and gold for our colors?”

Steven switched the phone to his other hand, rubbed his sore earlobe, and took a glass out of the cupboard. He knew he’d be in trouble if he said “feel” and “color” didn’t belong in the same sentence. “I don’t think that would go over so well up here. How about blue and orange instead?”

“Steven. . .” Was that a gag on the other end?

He couldn’t resist pushing it. “Let’s reconsider. If we get married in Dallas we can do blue and silver.”

“Oh. . .I get it, silly. We are absolutely not doing football colors.”

“That’s what people will think.” He poured a glass of grape juice. “I know a few Bears fans who’ll boycott the wedding if we do green and gold.”

“Steven. . .” His name stretched out on an exhale. “There are a lot of shades of green and gold that won’t make anyone think of the Green Bay Packers. You’ll see. We are talking fall, right? October, maybe?”

“Sure.” He opened cupboards, searching for something to sustain him until he could fix a real dinner. Gretchen had called at ten minutes to five. It was now five to six and Burt would be here any minute. On the bright side, she was speeding his weight loss.

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