AllFreeNovel
Share Us
"Jaxson Carter, ma'am."
"Jaxson Carter!" Her eyes widened, and her smile grew even bigger as she squeezed his hand. "Why, you must be Carolyn's boy! The last time I saw you, you were knee-high to a grasshopper! Your daddy was carrying you around on his shoulders with so much pride." Her eyes dimmed. "He was a good man."
Wait. How did she know that? How does my mother know Jax?
A look of puzzlement crossed his face as well. "Yes, he was, thank you."
"I'm so sorry I didn't have a chance to speak to you at the wedding," my mom continued. "Although, I did enjoy catching up with your mother. I can't believe we haven't gotten together before now."
She must have noticed he was staring blankly at her. "Oh, forgive me. I'm just going on. Your Aunt Julie and I are close friends. I knew your mother back in the day, but I'm afraid Julie and I thought we were too cool as high schoolers to hang out with anyone still in junior high." She shook her head as if scolding her younger self.
"Jaxson Carter?" Adam, who'd been ignoring everyone until now, looked up from his phone. "As in JAC Enterprises?" We all turned to look at him since not much made him step away from his work.
Jax stiffened. "That's me."
Adam pumped Jax's arm enthusiastically. "Adam Quincy. I'm an assistant DA, but hopefully soon to be your next state senator. I'd love to talk to you sometime about—"
"I'm sure Jax didn't show up here to discuss politics or contributions," Mama interrupted.
Hopefully, my cough hid my laugh. If only she knew.
Faith's face flushed, and she subtly shook her head at her husband.
Mama turned back to Jax. "You must come to dinner tonight. I'm making my famous roast beef, and we'd love to have you as our guest."
"Oh, Mrs. Hart, you know you make the best roasts," Alton chimed.
I was going to give myself a headache rolling my eyes so far into my head.
My mother smiled but ignored his hint.
I wasn't any happier with her alternative, though, either. "I'm sure Jax has other things to do, Mama. He's just returned from a trip, so I'm sure he's tired." I stared hard at him, willing him to take the excuse I offered.
"Oh, well then all the more reason he'll appreciate a home cooked meal." She patted Jax's arm and beamed at him like he was a long-lost son.
I held my breath, hoping I was correctly interpreting the look on Jax's face as one that was dismayed by the idea of a family dinner.
"Thank you for the invitation, Mrs. Hart, but I'm afraid Grace is right. I do have some things to catch up on for work before I return tomorrow."
I started to breathe a sigh of relief.
But Anne Hart was like a dog with a bone. "Well, then another time. Let me check the calendar."
"Mama," I started to say, but she straightened a hand in front of my face while she pulled out her phone from her purse with the other.
She tapped some buttons and mumbled. "Let's see. There's the women's bible study tomorrow and Bunco on Wednesday." She looked up. "Friday. Please say you can come."
"I'd love to, but—"
"Excellent! Grace will give you the address. We eat at six sharp, so come earlier."
Jax looked stupefied. Faith and I grinned. He'd just met the Anne Hart the rest of us knew – the woman no one said "no" to.
He looked at me, and I shook my head, urging him to stay strong. He smirked and nodded his head. "Thank you, Mrs. Hart. I would be honored to join your family for dinner."
I sighed. My telepathic signals must be off today.
Mom beamed. "Please, call me Anne."
