Lone Star Holiday. Jolene Navarro

Чтение книги онлайн.

СКАЧАТЬ unusual sharp edge. “Why did you get all dressed up?”

      “This?” Lorrie Ann ran her hand over her silk shirt. “It’s my first family dinner in twelve years.” She gave Yolanda a tight smile.

      Yolanda bit her lip. “Excuse me. I need to clean up.” With a glare to Lorrie Ann, she brushed past her and headed down the hallway to her old room.

      Turning back to the kitchen, Lorrie Ann met Aunt Maggie’s dark eyes. The smirk fell from her face, and she felt as if she had been caught stealing Uncle Billy’s last cookie.

      “What?” With her arms crossed, Lorrie Ann suppressed the need to squirm under her aunt’s scrutiny. “I didn’t do anything.” She gave a heavy sigh and rolled her eyes. Okay, so I have officially reverted to an insecure teenage girl. “People expect me to be a certain way, you know, coming from Los Angeles and all.”

      “Mija, if you give people a chance, they will like the real you.”

      Lorrie Ann turned away from the gentle look in Aunt Maggie’s eyes. Why did guilt feel so heavy and ugly?

      She moved to the stove. “I’ll finish warming the tortillas.” As she flipped the tortillas, she heard a vehicle pull into the driveway. Celeste came rushing into the kitchen from outside.

      The screen door slammed back as the hurricane of energy swirled into the room. “Lorrie Ann! Aunt Maggie! Rachel has her cast! It’s purple.”

      “Hey, rug rat. Slow down.”

      “Rachel’s so slow because she has to walk on the crutches and won’t let Daddy help her. Aunt Maggie, Uncle Billy said to bring him the veggies.”

      Maggie grabbed the bowl and headed to the grill, ordering Lorrie Ann to make the tea while rubbing Celeste’s head. A few breaths later, a knock on the door announced the arrival of John and Rachel.

      “Hello?” John walked through the screen door then stood with his back holding it open and flashed a grin. “She insists on walking without my help.”

      The sound of Rachel’s shuffling feet and the thump of the crutches came with agonizing slowness as they waited for her to make an appearance. When she finally made it to the door, John reached out to help her over the threshold.

      “I have it, Daddy.” With an awkward movement, she adjusted the crutch and managed to step up as her tongue stuck out in concentration.

      John turned his face to Lorrie Ann, rolled his eyes and shook his head. “She can be a bit stubborn.” He shot her a wink. “Gets it from her mom.”

      Celeste scooted a red step stool by the sink and started pulling out plates from overhead. “I’m stubborn, too, just like Mom. Grandpa says so.”

      “Celeste, get down from there! Wait until I can help you.” One of John’s hands stayed on the door as he tried to reach for his younger daughter with the other.

      Lorrie Ann moved to Celeste. “Here, let me help you.”

      “Rachel always sets the table, but now I get to do it.” The stack of thick milk-glass plates wobbled over her head.

      Lorrie Ann reached up behind her to balance the plates and lower them to the counter.

      Rachel twisted toward her father. “She can’t do my job.”

      “Rachel, she just wants to help.” His large hand covered her entire shoulder. “With the crutches, how would you carry the plates?”

      “How about setting the silverware?” Lorrie Ann pointed to the table. “The basket’s already there.”

      “Thanks,” John whispered close to her ear as he walked past her to help Celeste carry plates and glasses. “I see you’re back to your L.A. gear and artificial height?”

      Standing in the kitchen with John, her decision to change made her feel shallow. She gave him the same weak line. “I wanted to wear something special for my first family dinner.”

      With his arms braced behind him, John leaned against the sink and watched the girls set the long table. “You looked nice this morning.”

      She shrugged and flipped another tortilla.

      “Oh, you look so pretty, Miss Yolanda,” Rachel suddenly called out.

      Lorrie Ann turned and saw the perfect example of feminine refinement walk into the kitchen. Her cousin wore a soft green dress with a faint floral print. It swirled around her knees and complemented the low-heeled sandals on her feet. Her thick brown hair now floated in waves just below her shoulders. Lorrie Ann straightened her spine and repeated her mantra, Smile, stand tall, fake it if you have to.

      “Daddy, I want to dress up!” Celeste jumped up and down, clapping her hands. “Can I have some pirate boots like Miss Lorrie Ann?”

      He laughed as he caught the six-year-old up in his arms. “I’m not sure a ranch is the best place for pirate boots.”

      Yolanda opened the cabinet door next to John. “L.A. did always love costumes.”

      Lorrie Ann felt like growling as she watched her cousin bat those incredibly long lashes at John. Instead, she repeated her mantra a few more times.

      Yolanda continued in her soft Texas drawl, “Good evening, Pastor John. How did the trip to the doctor go today?”

      “All went well. It was a clean break.”

      Celeste slipped out of his arms and ran off to get the napkins. Turning back to Lorrie Ann, he reached for the sugar as she poured boiling water over the tea bags.

      He held out the container for her. “I want to thank you again for keeping Celeste. She went on and on about the plans you had today.”

      Taking the sugar from him, Lorrie Ann smiled. “To tell you the truth, I looked forward to it myself.” She looked up and was struck by the gentleness in his light brown eyes. For a moment she studied the gold flakes that radiated warmth. Oh, what had she been saying? “Um...she’s a great kid.”

      “Please, let me know if she becomes too much.”

      Yolanda came up and laid her hand on his sleeve. “You know I can watch the girls whenever you need help.”

      Before he could reply, Aunt Maggie and Uncle Billy brought in the fajitas and grilled vegetables.

      “Is the table set? Ice in the glasses?” Maggie set the platter of meat and bell peppers on the table and smiled. “Looks nice, girls.”

      “I got the plates and glasses, Aunt Maggie.” Celeste ran from the table to the refrigerator. “I can get the ice, too!”

      In a voice too prim for a young girl, Rachel yelled after her sister. “Celeste Rebecca Levi, you need to sit down.” She lowered her voice and squinted. “You’re going to give Daddy a headache.”

      John’s rich laughter filled the room as he lightly pulled Rachel close to his side. “Thank you, sweetheart, but I think I’ll survive.”

      Uncle СКАЧАТЬ