Long Time Gone (Rough Riders) Read Free Page B

scowled. “You should talk. And you’re making a lot of assumptions that you’ll have a choice in this stuff that happens next.”
    “What’s that mean?”
    “Look, we both know Dad won’t show up at the wedding. He’s already left the house and gone to Harland’s.”
    Their oldest brother and their dad were best buds, which is why she didn’t get along with Harland. “That’s not a surprise. So?”
    Worry clouded his eyes. “So Carolyn is really okay with me giving her away?”
    “Yes. I know she’s grateful that one of her brothers is happy for her.”
    “I am.” He jammed his hand through his hair. “I hate this shit, Kimi. I really do. It eats at all of us.”
    She didn’t say, it eating at you hasn’t affected any of your appetites .
    “Anyway, what’s the plan for getting everyone to the church?”
    “I’ll drive Carolyn early so she can get ready. I assumed Aunt Hulda would drive Mom there and then back here afterward. And you, Stuart and Marshall would ride together. Why?”
    “Just wondered how long this would last.”
    Her brothers rarely went to church. “It’s a typical Catholic ceremony without mass. So probably forty-five minutes. Since there’s so few people invited to the wedding I doubt the reception will last long.” She smirked. “I’m sure the bride and groom are anxious to get to the honeymoon portion of the day.”
    Thomas returned her smirk. “I imagine they are. What are your plans for after the ceremony?”
    She shrugged. “I’m playing it by ear.”
    “Let me offer you some advice, little sis. Stay away from here until later tonight.”
    Not what she’d expected. “Why?”
    “Dad will come home from Harland’s drunk. I suspect it’ll be worse than usual due to Carolyn’s marriage. He’ll rant and rave at anyone who’s around until he passes out. I plan to be elsewhere, as do Stuart and Marshall.”
    “Thanks for the warning.” She pushed away from the counter. “I should get myself ready and see how the bride is doin’.”
    When she stood in the entryway to the sun porch, seeing Carolyn’s suitcase packed and waiting by the door, it finally hit her that this was it. Last night was the last time they’d share the same space as they talked of their hopes for the future and their favorite moments from their past.
    Carolyn looked over at her. “What’s wrong?”
    Emotion overwhelmed her and her tears fell. “You are beautiful. Carson might faint dead away when he gets a look at you.”
    Her sister blushed. Then she lifted her chin. “I appreciate the flattery, Kimi, but what’s really going on? You’re not usually a crier.”
    Yesterday they’d moved all of Carolyn’s things into Carson’s trailer. She’d fussed and cleaned. Rearranged and added decorative touches, turning the place from his space into their space. Kimi had watched her sister flitting around, feeling a mixture of envy and repulsion. Envy because Carolyn had found a man who loved her for her. Repulsion because it seemed like her sister was settling down too soon. Carolyn wouldn’t get to do interesting things or travel to fascinating places. She worried her sister’s life would be just as mundane living in Carson’s house as it had been living in their parent’s house.
    Aren’t you projecting your goals onto her? Has Carolyn ever told you that she wants to travel?
    No.
    But now it wasn’t an option for her. And that was a little sad.
    “Kimi?” Carolyn prompted.
    Her gaze snapped to her sister. “Sorry. It’s a lot to take in. It’s weird seeing all your stuff packed up.”
    “More room for you to spread out when you come home.” Carolyn added another coat of mascara on her already ridiculously long eyelashes. “I pushed the beds back together for you.”
    “Thanks. Since no one is in the bathroom, I’ll grab my stuff and get ready.”
    Kimi planned to wear her hair up. Since she couldn’t find any bobby pins, she’d borrow some from her mother. She stopped