Read Online Lakeside Reunion by Lisa Jordan - Free Book Online Page B

didn’t sing, did they? A delicious aroma floated up the stairs. Her nose twitched and her mouth watered. Her stomach growled. Grandma or Aunt Claire must have dropped off food, but the singing didn’t sound like either of them.
    Deciding to take her chances, Lindsey crept down the stairs and made her way to the kitchen. Instead of finding Grandma or Aunt Claire, a very pregnant woman pulled a steaming casserole out of the microwave. She turned, closing the door with her elbow.
    Lindsey squealed. “Melissa!”
    Melissa set the covered glass dish on the stove and rushed across the room with her arms open wide, hands still clad in alligator pot holders. “Lindsey! I can’t believe it. You’re actually here. I’m sorry your mom broke her leg, but I’m so thrilled to see you.” They hugged and danced around in a circle like a couple of giggly preschoolers.
    â€œHow did you know I was here? Did my grandma or aunt call you?” Lindsey pulled out two chairs and motioned for her best friend since seventh grade—and Stephen’s baby sister—to sit.
    â€œNo, not exactly…” Melissa plopped on one of the chairs. She removed the potholders and dropped them on the table. Her face scrunched into a grimace. The same look she always gave Lindsey when bad news was coming. Then Lindsey knew.
    â€œYou talked to Stephen.”
    Melissa nodded. “We talked this morning after your…well, when he first saw you. Then he called a little bit ago. All upset about Tyler and the things he said to you.”
    â€œGood. He acted like a jerk.” As soon as the words left her mouth, Lindsey wished she could have grabbed them back. “I’m sorry. He’s your brother. I shouldn’t have said that.”
    Melissa laughed. “No need to apologize. He said the samething. He begged me to come and check on you. Believe me, I didn’t need a reason. You’re my best friend. I just figured you were still at the hospital.”
    â€œGranddad and Gram practically pushed me out the door and ordered me to get some rest. I’m going to pack a bag for Mom and head back to the hospital first thing in the morning.”
    â€œHe does feel badly about what happened, Linds. Especially after you were so sweet to Ty. He took his fear out on you.”
    â€œNo need to remind me. I was there.”
    â€œYou’re right. I’m sorry. Change of subject. You must be starved. I made a cheesy chicken-and-rice casserole. Great for a nasty day like today. By the way, I love the new color your mom repainted her kitchen.”
    Lindsey glanced at the freshly painted sage-green walls with oatmeal-colored trim and nodded. Wicker baskets in different shapes and sizes hung around the perimeter of the room in place of a border.
    Lindsey opened one of the cabinets. “Have you eaten?”
    â€œActually, yes. Nate and I grilled earlier with a new lady from church. I’ll stay while you eat, if you don’t mind.”
    â€œOf course not. Gives us more time to talk. This was so sweet of you, Mel, but you didn’t need to do this. You should be resting.” She closed the cabinet door and ran a hand down the front of the frosted oak finish, remembering how the beaten cabinets had looked when Dad brought them home from the auction. The hours spent refinishing them had paid off. They looked showroom new, even after being in place for almost a decade.
    Melissa massaged her bump. “Resting? Really? Baby Bump is due at the end of the month. I’ve been cleaning and cooking up a storm. I have enough meals frozen to last until this pip-squeak goes off to preschool. I’ll set the casseroleon the table. You go ahead and eat while it’s still hot.” Melissa removed the cheery sunflowers in a vanilla-and-green swirled pottery pitcher from the middle of the oak trestle table and set them on the counter. She placed the steaming casserole in its place.
    Lindsey