Be Sweet Read Free Page B

Linda talked about me in high school and caused me to have zero friends? There’s nothing to let go.” I sink my teeth into another bite of cookie. A big one.
    She stares at me too long, and I try not to squirm. “She shouldn’t have spread gossip, but you have to let it go, Char. It happened a long time ago.”
    â€œExactly. It’s a thing of the past. Let’s leave it there, okay?” Hello? It’s not as though I haven’t gotten over it. I have a life, thank you very much.
    â€œOkay,” she says with reluctance.
    â€œSo how are the boys?” I ask, referring to her two sons—my nephews —whom I love as though they were my own.
    Smoothing down her apron she says, “Ethan is in love.” Her eyes shine here. “He stays on campus most of the time or goes home with Candy.”
    â€œHer name is Candy? She sounds sweet .”
    Janni groans. “Blake, on the other hand, says he doesn’t want to deprive the women of America by settling down with one girl. Can you imagine?” She sighs. “I doubt that he’s cracked open a textbook all year.”
    â€œHard to believe those kids are already in college. Will they be here at all to help with the syrup?”
    â€œOnly during spring break. You’ll meet Ethan’s girlfriend then. She’s a doll.” Janni rises and takes her empty glass and dish over to the sink.
    â€œSounds like you’ll be joining the ranks of grandparenting before you know it.”
    â€œLet’s get them married first, shall we?” she calls over her shoulder as she rinses her dish and glass with water, then places them in the dish-washer. “I’d sure love a little one around to spoil and then send home.” She walks back to the table and reaches for my empty plate.
    â€œYou touch that, and I’ll have to hurt you,” I say, reaching for another sliver off the round cookie.
    Surprise lights her eyes, and she blinks.
    â€œJanni, don’t ever come between a woman and her cookies,” a male voice says behind me.
    Swiveling around in my chair, I see Janni’s husband, Daniel, step through the back door. He’s dressed in brown bib overalls, a brown and white plaid shirt, and thick, manly boots. We’re talking serious boots here. With the size of his feet, I’m thinking he could stamp out an entire generation of ants.
    Twinkling blue eyes and brown hair with a smidgen of gray peek from beneath his white baseball cap, while a graying goatee frames a smile that says life is good.
    â€œThe man is smarter than he looks,” I say, jumping from my chair. “How are you doing?”
    Daniel laughs and whisks me into a bear hug that makes my feet leave the floor. My nose tickles from his generic version of Polo. The man never changes.
    â€œI’m good. How’s my big sister?”
    â€œHey, be careful about that ‘big’ stuff, will ya?” I tease. “I’m feeling a tad sensitive.”
    â€œAw, I’ve picked up bigger twigs than you.”
    â€œHave I mentioned you’re my favorite brother-in-law? ’Course, I don’t have any others, but still.”
    With a hearty laugh he puts me down and turns to Janni. “How’s the love of my life?” He reaches down and gives her a kiss, making my heart squeeze. My sister may not have nice carpet, but she’s rich in other ways.
    I straighten my Liz Claiborne blouse that Daniel wrinkled with the hug.
    â€œWhat are you doing home so soon?” Janni asks.
    â€œNot many customers today,” he says, pulling up a chair and grab-bing several cookies. I scoot the pizza cookie from his direct view. It might hurt Janni’s feelings if he doesn’t eat her cookies, after all. I’ll just take it back to my room when no one is looking.
    Janni pours a glass of cold milk and places it in front of him. A shadow flickers in her eyes. “Business sure has been slow