Precious Treasure by Terry Segan

Author:Terry Segan [Segan, Terry]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: Mystery; Paranormal; Ghost; Betrayal
Publisher: The Wild Rose Press
Published: 2021-11-21T00:00:00+00:00

CHAPTER 20

The kitchen smelled of garlic and tomato sauce where the Holgram sisters dined on leftover pizza and root beer. Natalie twisted open the half empty bottle of soda and poured herself another glass. The ice crackled as the soda fizzed around the cubes.

“Do you think Mom’s nervous?” Jenny asked, her mouth full of cheese and crust.

Natalie finished chewing and swallowed. “Of course. She hasn’t been on a date since Daddy.”

“True. She does seem pretty excited, don’t you think?” Jenny worked on her slice.

“Yeah. She must really like this guy,” added Natalie. “But still…”

Their mother’s heels clacked down the hallway. Both turned.

“How do I look?” Janie stepped into the kitchen and threw her arms out in a modeling pose.

“Great!” They answered as one.

Her hands twitched as she smoothed the seams of her dress and fingered the necklace she wore. “Not too dressy, right?”

“Mom, you look fine,” Jenny said. “Just relax. John is going to love you.”

Almost on cue the front doorbell rang. Panic shone in Janie’s eyes; her body frozen in place.

Jenny bolted toward the front of the house. “I’ll get it. You stand there looking beautiful.”

She opened the front door and spoke with a forced maturity beyond her twelve years. “Yes?” Her face remained still, giving away no sign of emotion.

John lifted his brow. “You must be Jenny.”

“Good guess,” she replied. “Although you only had two choices.”

Just as he feared, the kids might be a tough sell. “I’m John,” he said, breaking the ice with a laugh and eliciting a huge smile from Jenny. “I’m here to pick up your mother.” His charm oozed from every pore.

“Come in. Mom’s almost ready.” Jenny held the screen door. “Have a seat. She’ll be out in a minute.”

John followed her instructions, making himself comfortable on the couch. After Jenny walked down the hall, he surveyed the front area of the house. Tastefully decorated, he thought. The scent of roses permeated the air complementing colors of muted greens and mauve. He could appreciate a place with a woman’s touch without it being too feminine. Nothing like the austere furnishings his mother strategically placed about her house as if it were a minimalist display in an art gallery. This was a home—comfortable without being overdone.

Back in the kitchen Jenny walked up to her mother and quietly said, “You didn’t tell us how handsome he was. Where did you meet him?”

“Shhhh, he’ll hear you.” She glanced toward the living room. “But, yeah, he looks nice, doesn’t he?”

Natalie jumped up. “I want to meet him.”

“Girls, calm down. We don’t want to overwhelm the guy. Okay, Natalie, come with me, and I’ll introduce you.”

“I’m coming too.” Jenny followed.

They trooped into the room. “Hi, John,” Janie said, tightening her stomach muscles to quell her nerves. It took all her reserve not to gush like a teenager at seeing him again.

“Hello, gorgeous.” John stood. “You look great.”

Both girls wore big grins while a blush rose on their mother’s cheeks. “I had some help from my two fashion advisors. One, you’ve already met.

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