Tangled Lies Read Online Free Page A

“And miss the chance to hassle you? Wouldn’t dream of it.”
    She huffed out a breath. “Some things never change, I guess.”
    “You’d be surprised,” he drawled, matching her stance.
    Pop stepped up onto the porch, gave Mama’s face a quick scan, and gently kissed her cheek.
    “Jesse is moving into Clarabelle’s cottage while he works on his vintage powerboat. Big race coming up in Clearwater.”
    Jesse saw the interest spark in Sasha’s eyes before she carefully masked it.
    “Want to go for a ride one day?”
    She snorted. “Ride? With you? Please.” She propped her hands on her hips, head cocked at a saucy angle. “Not unless I take the helm.”
    Now it was his turn to snort. “In your dreams, Petrov.”
    “Sasha is a licensed boat captain,” Mama said. “She’s been working—”
    Whatever else she had been about to say was drowned out by Pop, who stuck his fingers in his mouth and let out an ear-piercing whistle Jesse hadn’t heard in many a year. But now, as then, silence fell instantly. Pop gestured to Eve, who stepped out of the back door bearing a huge cake. Then he turned back to the crowd.
    “Friends, thank you for coming and for celebrating with us today. God has granted my Rosa sixty years, and we are thankful. For her. And for all of you who have shared our lives.”
    His eyes filled with tears as he tugged Sasha’s hand and walked over to the rocker with her. He took Mama’s hand in his other one and kissed it tenderly. Eve stepped over and held out the enormous sheet cake with its two candles displaying 60 . Blaze stepped up beside her and held the other end. Sasha started “Happy Birthday” with her lush, off-key voice, and everyone joined in, all eyes on Mama Rosa, who smiled a huge smile and finally blew out the candles on the third try.
    Jesse watched the scene play out, smiling, then stiffened when that familiar itchy feeling crept up his shoulder blades. He was being watched. Not surprising, really. It was only a matter of time before his recent incarceration became public knowledge. He glanced around, but he didn’t see any obvious scowls aimed his way. Nor worse, someone fingering a weapon. But the feeling persisted, so he slipped away. No way would he bring the ghosts of his past here. The Martinellis had enough to worry about.

    The standard summer thunderstorm blew in about three o’clock and broke up the party. Sasha watched from a corner of the porch as families rushed to their cars amid shouts and waves, holding towels over their heads, casserole dishes tucked under their arms. Within minutes, the driveway cleared. Fifteen minutes after that, the storm blew out to sea, leaving behind sunny skies and slightly cooler temperatures. At least for a little while.
    She wished her own emotions could be swept away as easily. It had taken every bit of her inner strength to keep from rearing back in shock when she first spotted Mama. Her throat closed up again, and her hands clenched with the need to punch something in frustration. This couldn’t be happening. How could she not have known?
    Of course, Eve and Pop had tried to tell her. Would it have made a difference? Would she have come home sooner?
    Sasha stepped off the porch and crossed the yard, her back to the house. She paced the edge of the weedy lawn where rocks bordered the water as it sloshed against the shore. She’d neglected her family for a long time and deserved every bit of this guilt. She owed them more than this. So fine, she’d stay awhile and help Pop with the marina, as Mama had asked. She’d try to put some meat on Mama’s bones, too, though since she couldn’t cook, that’d be a challenge. But she could try, would try, doggone it. It was the least she could do.
    “Mama wants everyone in the house.”
    Blaze’s voice came out more growl than words, but Sasha caught the drift. She turned and saw the teen, arms crossed over her skinny chest, looking like a strong breeze would blow her out to sea.