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"So this is your anniversary," Gillian said. Crystal nodded. Her amethyst eyes looked dreamy. "Everyone said it was the most beautiful wedding ever held at St. Michael's." Jessie believed the claim. She'd seen the photo. Most beautiful wedding. Most beautiful bride. Most besotted bridegroom. Howard Maynard appeared at the door and he motioned to Jessie. Fresh from a nap he looked rested. Jessie's mood lightened. She'd wanted her dad healthy and her family together. It was all good. They walked down the hall to 234 That Voodoo That You Do by Ann Yost Blanche's comfortable study. Howard took the big desk chair while Jessie sat on a small sofa. "I just wanted to take a minute to apologize, sweetheart." "Apologize?" "Your mother and I saw your marriage to Kit as a way to solve our problem. In all fairness, I believe he's a fine young man. It seemed like a good match for you but that doesn't excuse our selfishness." Jessie shook her head. She couldn't let him take all the blame. "I apologize to you for all the time and money spent on the wedding. I thought Kit and I could make a go of it but it never would have worked." "I see that now," he said. "You were always more friends than lovers. I never saw that desperate passion on either of your faces." She smiled. "Is that how you feel about Mom?" He nodded. "She's my life. I'm glad you finally found someone you could feel that way about." Jessie's face burned. She'd been too obvious. Now her folks would be disappointed again. "What about you and Mom? Will you remarry?" He grinned. It was a satisfied expression she hadn't seen on his face in a long while. "We haven't discussed it. I haven't told her I'm retiring in January. Gonna let Kit run the show. If he does well, I'll sell him the business." "What about Grandad's legacy?" "I've learned an important lesson through the heart attack, the divorce and your canceled wedding. You can't spend your 235 That Voodoo That You Do by Ann Yost life taking care of someone else's dream. You've only got one chance, Jess. Do what you want to do." Jessie stayed in the study after her father had left. She thought about his words. She thought about all the efforts she'd made to hold her family together, to protect her dad's health, to be the daughter her parents needed instead of the woman she was. She'd started to pursue her own dreams down here in Mystic Hollow. Here, in Great Aunt Blanche's home, in her town, Jessie had finally found a place where she could be herself, a place that felt like home. She'd become her own person. She knew it wasn't the quaint house or Blanche's friends or even the murder investigation that had wrought the change. Love had made her see beneath the surface, made her feel alive. She thought about Luke and her heart squeezed. The metamorphosis had come with a high price but even so, she wasn't sorry. And she vowed not to be bitter. If Crystal could make Luke happy, she wanted him to have her. That's what love was all about, wasn't it? She leaned back in the chair and closed her eyes. The noble sentiment faded when she remembered the feel of Luke's body on hers, the tickle of his breath at her ear, the sense of oneness she'd never experienced with anybody else. She was lying to herself. She didn't want Luke to reconcile with Crystal. She wanted the man for herself. That thought gave rise to a more painful one. She still had secret knowledge that would help Francine and Zach. She needed to use it without hurting Luke and there was only one way to do that. She headed for the kitchen in search of Crystal. 236 That Voodoo That You Do by Ann Yost When the women were back in Blanche's study with the door closed, Jessie didn't know where to begin. She decided just to plunge in. "I read some of Blanche's," she hesitated then chose a word, "diary. She knew you were getting together with Bobby Ray and using Francine's name to hide behind." Jessie knew her tone was accusing. She thought she saw remorse on the other woman's face and she tried to lighten up. "In any case, Zach and Francine are going to get married. [ Pobierz całość w formacie PDF ] |
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