Hang Tough Read Free

mask.”
    â€œLordy, lordy, the things I do to keep up my youthful appearance.” She sighed and whipped off the do-rag. “I ain’t sure whether it’s even worth it.”
    Beneath the do-rag, Garnet wore a plastic cap, covering what appeared to be mashed strawberries smeared all over her head.
    Don’t ask.
    â€œTobin, get the champagne. And be quick about it because Garnet’s gotta rinse the goop outta her hair. The juice is acidic. Let’s hope the strawberries haven’t eaten into her brain or given her a bald spot.”
    â€œThat’s a cheery thought, Pearl. Especially when we’re celebrating good news for a change.”
    Pearl’s birdlike eyes sharpened. “What good news?”
    â€œTobin agreed to stay here as my bodyguard to keep the moving van people from packing me away.”
    â€œJust for three weeks,” Tobin reminded her.
    â€œThat makes strategic sense. Having this place a transitional space. You’ll cut personal ties with livin’ at the Split Rock so it’ll just be aboutyour working hours.” Pearl waited until Garnet turned away before saying in a conspiratorial tone, “If you need to come up with a battle plan, remember, I’m familiar with both sparkler bombs and trip wires.”
    He raised a brow because, frankly, what else could he say to that?
    â€œMy head itches,” Garnet complained. “Let’s drink.”
    Tobin peeled the foil back and popped the cork, managing to pour the champagne without spilling.
    Garnet raised her glass for a toast. “To friends who come through no matter what.”
    They touched glasses and he knocked back a big gulp.
    Holy crap. Tobin gave his glass a double take. That didn’t taste like any champagne he’d ever had.
    Garnet bumped him with her bony hip. “Told ya that was the good stuff. I’m only using a little bit in each batch of preserves, because I’m drinking the rest.”
    â€œWhat is this?”
    â€œCristal.”
    â€œCristal?” he repeated. “The stuff that costs hundreds of bucks a bottle? The kind that rappers are always going on and on about?”
    She shrugged. “Now you know there’s a reason why they’re writing songs about it.”
    Pearl said, “Truedat.”

Chapter Two

    â€œO f course, you’ll have to drive to Wyoming.”
    Jade Evans stared at her father, convinced this was an auditory hallucination. She’d indulged in a superlong shower this morning . . . Maybe she had water trapped in her ear. Tilting her head to the side, she attempted to drain it, only to hear her dad say, “For Pete’s sake, Jade, are you even listening to me?”
    â€œSorry. I must’ve misunderstood. I thought I heard you say you wanted me to drive to Wyoming.”
    â€œThat
is
what I said.” He sighed. “I want you to stay with your grandmother Garnet to gauge her state of mind and her ability to live on her own.”
    â€œYou’re serious.”
    â€œAs the
New York Times
Sunday crossword puzzle.”
    â€œWhat about my life here? You just expect me to drop everything? Why can’t Mom do it?”
    Jade watched as her father calmly wiped his mouth with his napkin and laid the white cloth on the table. “Jade. Honey. Your mother is already dealing with your grandmother Celeste, so she can’t possibly travel across the country and figure out these decisions for my mother.”
    â€œThat’s exactly right, Dad. She’s
your
mother. You should handle this.”
    â€œYou are her only grandchild.”
    â€œSo?”
    â€œSo, she adores you. She dotes on you. She listens to you.”
    â€œWhich means she won’t suspect me of being there to spy on her and tattle to
you
.”
    â€œPrecisely.”
    â€œThen it’s really not fair. GG is the sweetest, most loving and generous person I’ve ever known. Showing up in Wyoming