Small Town Girl Read Online Free

or anything. Now Tori—that’s my other sister, Victoria—she and her boyfriend, Sammy, are already talking about when they can get married. Mama says they’re both way too young and they’ll have to wait until Tori gets out of school. But we all like Sammy.”
    “And do you like this, who did you say? Carl?”
    “Sure. He’s okay. He lets me go to the movies with them, but Kate says it doesn’t matter who everybody else likes. It’s who she likes that matters.”
    “Sounds reasonable to me. But does she like anybody?”
    “She likes lots of people. Me and Evie and Tori and Mike. She might even like you, Tanner. When she gets to know you better.” The kid smiled over at him. “Since you’re so funny.”
    “I keep them laughing, Birdie.” They both laughed then.
    Birdie pointed out through the windshield. “Uh-oh. Looks like Mike’s car won’t start. Kate’s giving it a crank.”
    “A girl shouldn’t try that. You don’t do it right, a crank can fly back and break your arm.” Jay turned off the road into the yard. There wasn’t a driveway, just a dirt spot where Mike’s car was sitting.
    “Not Kate’s arm. Kate can do anything,” Birdie said.
    As if to prove the kid right, the engine rattled to a start. Kate gave Jay a cool look as she climbed back behind the wheel.
    Jay pulled up beside her, window to window. “Looks like I’m too late to be of help.”
    Before Kate could answer, Evangeline leaned over. “The car wouldn’t start and then the engine flooded. We’ve been sitting here forever. Is Mike in a panic?”
    “Not our Mike. He’s waiting at the altar. Patiently. Said you wouldn’t miss your own wedding. He didn’t have any way of knowing the bridesmaid was doing mechanic’s work.” Jay turned his eyes back to Kate and blasted her with his best smile. The one no girl could resist. Her lips barely turned up at the corners in response.
    “It was kind of you to come check on us, but now the bride is a bit anxious to get to the church.” Kate put the car in gear and, without another look his way, bounced out of the yard.
    “Guess we’d better follow them back to the church, don’t you think?” Jay shot a grin at the kid as he wheeled the car in a circle through the yard. “And you know what, Birdie? You’re right. I do think your sister is pretty. All your sisters.”
    “Me too?” Birdie asked.
    “You too. Especially you. The four of you are by far the prettiest bunch of sisters I’ve ever met.”

3

    E very pew at the Rosey Corner Baptist Church was packed. Cardboard fans were waving all over the church as the people tried to keep cool in the unseasonable heat. Even Evie appeared to be wilting as she stood at the altar beside Mike while Reverend Haskell from the Christian church across the road read the Scripture about a man cleaving to his wife.
    For way longer than Kate could remember, Rosey Corner’s two churches had always joined forces to celebrate special occasions. So it was fitting that Rosey Corner’s other preacher was performing the ceremony for Mike and Evie. Somehow kept it all in the family. At least that was what Mike said. No need to bring in somebody from Edgeville or Louisville. But Reverend Haskell did have a way of droning on and on. Kate had been to church with Aunt Gertie when she thought he might never get to the amen on his prayers.
    He was giving them the full service today. He had to have covered everything the Bible said about getting married. Maybe twice. As if Mike didn’t know all that already. Kate let her eyes touch on Mike’s face. He looked happy. In spite of the heat. In spite of the other preacher’s long-winded droning. It was easy to see how much he adored Evie as he held her hand and waited for Reverend Haskell to pronounce them man and wife.
    A naked feeling of longing stabbed through Kate. If only Mike were looking at her that way. If only she were the one standing beside him at the altar. Kate jerked her eyes away from