AllFreeNovel
Share Us
Hilda sniffed. “As if I'd know."
Jake looked over Hilda's shoulder for his mother. He had no idea why Eva would be in either New Orleans or Baton Rouge. She was a homebody and hated the traffic that plagued both cities. Must have something to do with her brother Chris. Or maybe something else in her past? Worry wriggled into his gut. She'd been secretive over the past few days. Could have to do with her mother. Eva's mom was in a constant state of fragile health paired with financial ruin. But why would Chris be involved? They shared a father, not a mother.
Maybe it was something to do with their father's estate.
Or not.
"Now, Jake, since your brothers and sister have found love and marriage, it's time to work on you," Hilda said with a gleam in her eye.
"No, thank you," Jake said, stepping away from Hilda's long fingers as they grazed his forearm.
"Oh, don't be silly. You've played around long enough. I'm very happy to help you out. After all, I practically gave your sister that delicious man on a silver platter." She nodded toward Leif, who stood next to Abigail, absentmindedly rubbing the small of his sister's back.
Dan could hardly hold in his laughter. He slapped Jake on the back and choked out "good luck" before slinking off toward the kitchen and the no doubt elegant cake bought at a confectionary in New Orleans. Jake's father was known for his enormous sweet tooth. In fact, his mother always told people she'd landed the handsome new Presbyterian preacher after he'd tasted her caramel cake she'd baked for the Ladies' Auxiliary fund-raiser.
"Now, let's start with your clothing. You canter about town wearing sloppy T-shirts and gym shorts that should have seen the bottom of the rubbish bin years ago. I have some lovely catalogs I will loan you. Don't worry, I'll mark up the selections I think will suit you best. You're a handsome man beneath all that scruffiness."
Jake bristled. "I'm not scruffy." He rubbed his recently shaved face.
"Darling, it's not just about your hygiene, it's the whole look."
"I like my look. I don't want to come across like-"
"Jamison French," Hilda filled in, pointing toward the dapper man chatting with Shelby and John. Jamison wore a pair of pressed trousers and a long-sleeved shirt with a blue sweater vest. He looked like a rich prissy pants. "Now, that's a man who knows how to play up his best assets."
"He looks like a guy who waxes his brows." Jake wrinkled his nose. "He probably gets manicures and moisturizes every day.”
"And what is wrong with that?" Hilda asked, taking in Jake's jeans, boots, and short-sleeved polo shirt that may or may not have been clean. Hell, he was a dude. He bathed, put on deodorant, and smelled his shirts before he pulled them on.
"I'm not moisturizing."
Hilda laughed. "I see. You like all that maleness, huh?"
"Uh, yeah."
"Okay, so sexy lumberjack." Hilda tapped her chin and stared out into space. She seemed to be serious about the new makeover project. He needed to get away from her. Fast.
"I see my mother. Better say hi." Jake didn't exactly run from Hilda, but he did frighten his mother when he rolled upon her as she was cutting cake in the kitchen.
"Oh, Jake," she said, clutching her chest, nearly dropping the cake she'd been about to place on a plate.
He kissed her cheek. "Hey, Mama."
"Missed you in church this morning," she said. Like she always said. Jake rarely went to church unless it was Christmas or Easter. He was a charter member of the C and E crowd.
"Thanks. Uh, why's Eva in Baton Rouge?"
Fancy shrugged one shoulder. "Well, she had to get some things. Charlie will be here tomorrow."
Charlie? Who the hell was he? Jake racked his brain, trying to remember her mentioning a Charlie. Sounded familiar. Maybeit was an ex-boyfriend? Or a friend who needed a place to crash? "Who's Charlie?"
His mother frowned. "You still don't know about Charlie?"
"ls this some guy she's been seeing? Someone I don't know about?" Jake didn't want the jealousy stealing up his spine to seize him, but it did anyway.
"If you don't know what's going on with Eva, there's a reason. And it's not mine to tell, Jake. Talk to Eva," Fancy said, handing him a plate with cake on it before patting him on the shoulder and walking toward Matt, who sat with his boys at the kitchen table. She put down the cake and pulled out a chair, effectively dismissing her youngest child.
Jake made a grumpy face and stared at the piece of cake she'd handed him before turning and nearly tripping over Clint, who'd rolled up, holding his own piece of cake.
