AllFreeNovel
Share Us
Needed the right one to do the dirtying.
“Are you always this shameless?” she snapped.
“Always. It’s been said that’s part of my charm.”
“Were the speakers lucid?” She brushed Beau off when he tried to lick her face.
“Pretty sure, but Marty might not have been. We’d just gone mud doggin’, and he hit his head pretty hard on the?—”
She opened her door and climbed out.
“So that’s a no, then?” I called after her as she stormed up the steps without stopping. “Guess so.” I pulled my keys out of the ignition and got out, grabbing her suitcase and bag on the way. Beau hopped out and trotted up to the door with me.
When I reached her, she’d already knocked, and before I could open my mouth, the door opened. Cass lunged out like a wolf spider, grabbing onto Jessa with all eight legs.
“You’re here!” Cass squealed. “You’re really here!”
Jessa laughed, “Hello, darling.”
“God, I love it when you speak British to me.” Cass leaned back to take a look at Jessa. “You look terrible.”
“Your cousin’s work,” she said snidely. “He’s quite...” she turned to assess me. “Well, I actually don’t know what he is. I’ve been trying to sort it out since I met him.”
“I think the word you’re looking for is dashing,” I offered. “I’ll also accept delightful, ravishing, and/or irresistible.”
Jessa and Cass shared a look before bursting into laughter. I mean that side stitching, hysterical laughter where just as soon as it died down, one more look would have them off again.
I gave them a bored look and walked inside around them. “Pardon me, wouldn’t want to disturb you two maniacs.”
“Oh, I’m so tired,” Jessa said around laughter. “And I have missed you.”
“We have two whole weeks to spend together,” Cass said from behind me, shutting the door. “You’re going to be sick of me.”
“Never. Has Henry arrived?”
Something in her voice set my hackles tingling. I pretended not to listen.
“He has,” Cass said conspiratorially. “And he’s dying to see you.”
They giggled like little girls, and I decided I didn’t like Henry, whoever he was.
“Once I’ve washed this day off me and had a nap, we have to meet for dinner.”
“Already planned for it.”
I cleared my throat and set down her luggage. “So where’s Mama?”
“Right here,” I heard from behind me. When I turned, she was almost on me, her arms open and cheek poised for a kiss, which I granted. “Hi, honey. And who’s this?”
Cass took Jessa’s arm. “Aunt Linda, this is Jessa Hastings.”
“How do you do?” Jessa said, extending her hand for a shake. I half expected her to offer her knuckles for a kiss.
But Mama bypassed her hand for a hug. “I’m sorry, I’m a hugger.”
Again, Jessa chuckled, hugging her back. “It’s lovely to meet you.”
“My God, if you aren’t the cutest thing,” Mama said, leaning back. “If my son wasn’t such a mess, I’d nudge you in his direction.”
