Page 35 of Sweet Talking Man


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"What about him?"

"You didn't quite tell me the truth about spying on him, did you?"

Her daughter's face paled, green eyes widening.

“Look, I know you're curious about the opposite sex."

"Oh, my God, Mom."

"We haven't really had the talk we need to have about, uh, sex," Abigail said, stumbling over that word. She wasn't ready, but Birdie spying on Leif took away any options. "Being nude isn't bad, but it's private. It's not something you put on display.”

"Please stop, Mom. Please."

"You need to know what is right and what is wrong. Mr. Lively thought he was alone and you violated his privacy without his consent."

"I didn't mean to. Not at first, and I already know this. So just stop. I said I was sorry and that was humiliating enough."

Abigail opened her mouth to respond but a knock sounded at the kitchen door. Abigail prayed it wasn't Cal. This conversation was the wrong one for him to interrupt.

The door opened and her brother Jake stuck his head in. "I smell scones."

"You have a good nose," Abigail said, trying not to look aggravated. She rarely saw her baby brother anymore. "What are you doing here? It's Friday night. No hot date?"

Jake stepped inside and shut the door. "What? Two sexy women like you all alone and I'm supposed to go elsewhere?"

Birdie gave him a relieved look. "Thank God you're here."

Jake cast Abigail an amused look. "Let me guess, you were about to drop down and give her twenty?"

Abigail gave them both a frosty look. "How did you know I was making scones?"

''A little birdie told me."

Birdie snorted. "He called earlier."

Abigail looked at Jake, who wore tight faded jeans, cowboy boots and, if her nose were to be believed a little too much cologne. He had a sleek smile, compact body, and overt charm that drove the ladies of Magnolia Bend and its surrounding parishes wild. He looked like a walking ad for sex, something she could see even if she'd once changed his diaper. "You know, if you could find a woman to cook for you, you could settle down."

He'd already scooped up a scone and devoured it in three bites. "Mfff."

Abigail retrieved the milk and a glass, shoving them toward him.

"Thanks," he said after he'd washed down the scone. "Delicious. Can I have another?"

Abigail nodded. "I have only two couples staying tonight so you can take a few with you."

''Aw, you're my favorite sister."

"I'm your only sister."

He grinned. "Exactly."

Abigail never minded her brothers dropping by. Of course, John worked so hard in the sugarcane fields, it was rare to see him, but maybe with Shelby in his life, Abigail would see him more. Her older brother, Matt, was the principal of St. George's so she saw him at school. He'd recently separated from his wife and Abigail worried about him. That was a sister's job, wasn't it? Or maybe it was just her. Worrying could easily become a career.

"So how are things at the station?" she asked, wiping the counters. Jake hopped up onto the island. Abigail gave him the evil eye so he slid off, pulling out a chair across from Birdie, who had gone back to her worksheet.

"Good. An opening for captain is coming up. The only competition I have is Eva."

Jake had spent four years at Louisiana State University studying prelaw, but after a car accident involving his best friend, he changed his direction and went to school to become a firefighter. He'd been certified to be an EMT last year, though he remained full-time at the fire station. The man had become intensely committed to saving lives... and becoming a honky-tonk legend.

Source: www.allfreenovel.com
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