Magnolia Dawn Read Online Free Page B

half of this fabulous spread.” He looked around him, his lips curling in distaste.
    So, it was going to be one of those visits. A knot settled in Anna’s chest, and she worked to breathe around it. “Of course you do. You just don’t come around much.”
    â€œThere’s nothing here for me.”
    Hurt at his words speared through her. She tightened her fingers on the chair’s arms. “I’m here, Lowell. Am I nothing to you?”
    He held her gaze for a moment, then swung away from her and crossed to one of the huge columns. For long moments he stared out at the shrouded grounds.
    Anna gazed at his stiff back, aching for the small, affectionate boy he had once been. Aching for the time when he had loved and needed her.
    Tears stung her eyes, and she looked away. “Only June,” she murmured, “and already so warm. It seems to get hotter every year.”
    Lowell glanced over his shoulder at her. “And you say that every year.”
    â€œI suppose I do.”
    Silence fell between them once more. Lowell took a pack of cigarettes from his shirt pocket, selected one and lit it. The match illuminated his face strangely, making his handsome features appear drawn and tight. And terribly unhappy.
    Once again, Anna shifted her gaze. She didn’t like seeing him this way. It hurt to see his unhappiness. “You met the new man,” she said, needing to fill the silence. Her brother didn’t respond, and she forged on. “He says he has building experience. In fact, he says he’s done a lot of restoration work on the East Coast. If that’s true, we should be able to—”
    â€œDiversionary chitchat, Anna?”
    She dropped her hands to her lap and laced her fingers together. “Just talking.”
    â€œWhy? Isn’t the quiet comfortable?”
    She inched her chin up even as her palms began to sweat. He’d come spoiling for a fight. From experience she knew nothing she could say or do would dissuade him. She tried anyway. “You’re my brother. Ashland is part yours. I thought you’d be interested.”
    â€œHalf mine,” he corrected. “And I’m not.”
    She stood and crossed to him. “What are you interested in, Lowell?” she asked. When he neither answered nor acknowledged her, she caught his arm. “Or aren’t you interested in anything?”
    He met her eyes then. In his she read an emotion akin to hatred. She caught her breath. “Lowell, what—”
    â€œSelling this place,” he said tightly. “That’s what I’m interested in.”
    â€œNo.” Anna shook her head and took a step back. “No,” she repeated. “Not ever.”
    â€œHalf of it is mine.”
    â€œAnd half is mine.” She flexed her fingers. While growing up she’d given in to him time and again. He’d been the baby, and she’d adored him. Not this time. She couldn’t.
    â€œI won’t sell, Lowell.”
    He swore and swung away from her. He flicked his cigarette off the gallery; it landed with a hiss in the damp grass. When he turned back to her she saw by his expression that they’d just progressed from bitter words to a full-blown fight. “You’re so hardheaded when it comes to this place. So blind.”
    â€œIt’s our home.” She balled her hands into fists of frustration. “Our heritage. Why can’t you see that?”
    â€œIt’s a burden,” he countered. “It’s draining you, Anna. Look at yourself. Almost forty and dried up already.”
    The shot hit its mark, and she drew in a sharp breath. “Stop it, Lowell.”
    â€œAshland’s doing it to you, Anna. You have no life.” This time it was she who swung away from him. He followed her, smelling her distress like blood, pressing his advantage. “When’s the last time you had fun? When’s the last time you went