Saving Mrs. Roosevelt by Candice Sue Patterson

Author:Candice Sue Patterson [Patterson, Candice Sue]
Language: eng
Format: epub
ISBN: 9781636090917
Publisher: Barbour Publishing, Inc.
Published: 2021-10-15T00:00:00+00:00

CHAPTER 25

The sound of dishes clattering in the sink echoed up the stairwell as Shirley descended to the kitchen. Her first step on the linoleum floor caused the room to go silent. Daddy stared at his cup of tea, and Mama stood at the sink, staring out the window, as if she couldn't stomach the idea of Shirley being in the same room.

“Morning,” Shirley mumbled. She hated that they were heartbroken over something she hadn't really done and wished she could scream the truth. Instead, she upended the kettle and poured steaming water in a mug.

Mama continued washing dishes. Daddy went back to his newspaper.

Shirley scraped the last of the scrambled eggs from the cast-iron skillet onto her plate and added two pieces of very dark toast. She didn't feel much like eating, but she'd need all the strength she could muster in the coming days.

After taking the last bite, she announced she planned to return to fishing, since that was all she knew how to do. Mama gauged Daddy for his reaction. He grunted but stayed hidden behind his paper.

“I know we usually take a break until May, but I figured it best to earn my keep. I'll pay for the gas I use and rent for staying here, if you'll allow me to continue on.”

Silence.

“May I have use of the boat, or do I need to purchase my own?”

Daddy folded the paper and set it aside. “That depends. In the future, do you plan to defy me as you did with that man yesterday?”

Mama turned. Soap and water dripped from her hands onto her clean floor. Unfounded shame flamed Shirley's face. “I figured it best to get him away from here before you tore him to pieces.”

“I have the right to tear him to pieces!” His big fist slammed into the table and shook it so hard Shirley's fork clattered to the floor. They hadn't discussed the matter since her first night home when she'd confessed their indiscretion. The anger and unanswered questions had obviously been swirling like a tornado inside her father in the hours since.

Pressing her lips together, Shirley picked up the fork. “It's not entirely Leo's fault. I'm half to blame.”

As soon as she said the words, she wanted to snatch them back.

“Is that his name? Leo?” Mama asked.

Shirley nodded. “Navy Captain Leonard Webber.”

“Some navy captain,” Daddy spat. “This is war. He needs to be navigating ships, not my daughter's body.”

“Winston!” Mama turned back to the sink, a wrist pressed to her forehead.

With every lie spoken, she was digging a larger hole that would be harder to climb out of. Would she wake up one day and find she'd dug her own grave?

“It wasn't like that,” Shirley whispered. “The way we feel for one another isn't sleazy at all.”

Another grunt. “That man is not welcome to step one toe on this property unless he's prepared to face me like a man and give me a detailed account of how he plans to rectify this situation.”

“Yes, sir.

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