Jodie's Song Read Free Page A

planting.”
    Kevin’s slow, easy smile drifted through her heart. Her senses tingled at the impact of those clear brown eyes laced by thick, black lashes. Broad shoulders covered by a thick white t-shirt had added emphasis to his strong, muscular frame, his sinewy arms.
    Straightening at once, Jodie forced that mental walk to a stand-still. Was her life such a mixed up mess that she was now prone to fantasizing about a mere acquaintance who simply wanted to be friendly and welcoming? Really, she had been stuck in the single scene for far too long.
    Focusing on Tracee, Jodie moved her legs to rock the chair. “Is dad still resting?”
    “Yep.”
    A brief silence sang with the sound of creaking metal that came from their gliders. “Are you and Ryan excited about the move to Corpus Christi?”
    “In a way.” Tracee blew out a breath and stretched her legs. “It’s exciting, but right now, as far as I’m concerned, his transfer to Corpus is just another layer of stress in my life. Alex and Melissa are understandably freaked out about the change and the idea of leaving behind their schools and friends.” She sighed, lifting her face to a cooling circuit of air. “Change seems to be the mile marker of our lives these days, huh?”
    “Too true.”
    Silence passed in time to the rhythm of the encroaching dark, until Tracee spoke again. “I know I haven’t been very kind to you lately, Jodie. I haven’t acted like it, but I do realize everything you’ve sacrificed.”
    Jodie offered no immediate response to the low-spoken comment. She was surprised by the direction of their conversation and knew she had to say something. “You’ve done just the same.” Tracee didn’t look her way, but Jodie knew her sister well enough to read an undercurrent of tension. “You have this idea that I’ve sacrificed to move here. Maybe I have, sure, but you’ve sacrificed a great deal as well. You and Ryan deserve a new start. Your family needs time to grow and come together again without the pressure of outside influences. Meanwhile, I’m being given the chance to look after Pop and make a comfortable professional move as well. It was meant to be.”
    “But it was like the devil went loose in my soul.” Tracee shook her head. “I’ve been feeling that kind of push and pull lately, and I don’t want to leave Angel Falls without telling you how proud I am of you. You’re going to be great at KWJD. The kids have always thought it was so cool that their aunt is on the radio.” A tentative pause skated by. “And here’s what else. I think you’re amazing, too.”
    Jodie stared at her sister, stunned by the unexpected affirmation. She reached for Tracee’s hand and took a loose hold. “Well, I think your kids have a great mom who would do anything for her family. They’re blessed.”
    “You’re a blessing, too.” Tracee’s voice thickened; her eyes flashed with unspent moisture. “I never, ever meant to imply otherwise. You’ve spent weekends here as often as you can, and I know how much you care.”
    They glided in a restful silence; the wood floorboards of the porch creaked in a comforting way as they swung.
    “Know what you need?”
    Jodie kept her head tipped back, her body relaxed, but she harrumphed at Tracee’s leading question. “Another twenty-four hours in a day along with the energy and drive to see them through, because right now, I’m spent.”
    “No. None of that. You need love. You need support and romance and the companionship of a really good man.”
    Directly on cue, into her psyche morphed an image—Kevin Mitchell, bathed in sunlight, his smile as warm and free as the breeze that kicked up and kissed Jodie’s cheeks like the brush of angel wings.
    The image, her sister’s comments, settled into place and even grew a few roots that Jodie worked hard to pull free. Sure, she wondered about this new chapter of her life. For certain new territory was set to be explored for her entire family. But