He Was Her Man Read Online Free Page B

face that meant she was going to say something that would make Sam want to slap her. And sure enough she did.
    “Now, you know you don’t still hate Jinx.”
    Sam slammed a hand on her forehead. “By God, you’re right. How could I forget that? We went over the same ground when you first tried to drag me up here for this stupid party. You feel sorry for her—which, of course, is akin to feeling sorry for Attila the Hun because his momma wasn’t nice to him. And I let go of all my mean, ugly, and vicious feelings about her eons ago. I don’t think about her any more often than I think about—oh, say rattlesnake bellies.”
    Kitty’s eyes narrowed. “You’re lying through those pearly teeth, and you know it. Otherwise why wouldn’t you come to her party? She invited you. I know the invitation came in the mail the same day as mine.”
    “Jinx probably invited the entire South. And Texas. Especially Texas, since she made off with their lottery.”
    Kitty had her forefinger ready to point. “ That’s why you let that green-eyed monster get ahold of you again. You’re jealous because Jinx won that million dollars, tax-free.”
    Sam, who had inherited that and more from her long-deceased parents, narrowed her eyes and sniffed. “An engagement party for your third time around, when you’re forty-one years old, is tacky, and you know it.”
    “Since when did you become Miss Manners? You don’t give a rip about that kind of thing.”
    Kitty was right, but Sam didn’t let that stop her from trashing Jinx. “I bet she’s going to have a long white gown, a four-tiered cake, and six bridesmaids, their shoes and dresses dyed lime or puce or whatever to match the punch. There’ll be a video of her getting her ring—four carats. No, six. Jinx wouldn’t marry anybody for fewer than six. And a cake at this party tonight with a music box inside playing a recording of Jinx and the groom—what’s his name?”
    “Speed. Speed McKay.”
    “Sounds like a pool hustler to me; anyway, a recording of Jinx and Speed, blathering about the day they met.”
    “Sammy, you’re over the top. Your mind’s come unhinged over this Harry thing. What you’re saying about Jinx, I think this is called displacement. You’re furious with Harry, but you’re dumping on Jinx.”
    It was maddening to have a friend who knew her so well. Sam absolutely was doing that very thing. She was losing it, big-time. She sounded like a jealous 16-year-old girl. And she hated the idea that she was so het up about Jinx’s wedding because of her own problems of the heart. Resenting Jinx because she was getting married again just when Harry had strayed. June, moon, croon, puke. She was bored with the whole concept. Maybe she’d find a nice nunnery to check into for a good long sulk, even if she wasn’t Catholic.
    Just then a short middle-aged black woman all in white—T-shirt, shorts, socks, sneakers—sauntered up to the two women and patted Sam on the shoulder. “Hi, baby, I’m June, and I’m going to take care of you. Come on over here with me.” She nodded at Kitty. “Sweet thing, somebody’ll be along for you directly.”
    *
    Back at the Gas ’N Grub, Olive Adair was down on her hands and knees talking to herself. It’s here, I know it’s here. Wiping the sweat out of her eyes. It could get pretty hot in Arkansas in late April. Hot enough to make an old lady think maybe she was about to get sunstroke if she didn’t take a break from searching for that diamond ring.
    Besides, Pearl was about to have a fit. Howling, Ooohuroo, ooohuroo, in front of the soda cooler as if Olive didn’t know how that felt, a woman left lonely, which was the title of her favorite song by Janis Joplin. It was on the album, Pearl, she’d named the dog after. Bobby, her grandbaby, hadn’t had time to name her before they dragged him off to the slammer.
    “Momma understands, sugar.” Olive leaned over and gave Pearl a hug, then reached into the cooler and