Simple Choices Read Free Page B

do follow my aunt’s orders. She even forced me to move furniture so she could sweep under it. I really doubt you’ll find much to do tomorrow.”
    I leaned over and kissed him. “Good thing I don’t have privacy issues, huh?”
    He chuckled. “You’ve got that right. It will only get worse when you move in here.”
    I laid my head on his chest. “I love this place—and you. And believe it or not, I’m just crazy about Sweetie. You know, if you ever want me to cook for you, I need to get back to those lessons Sarah and I started with Sweetie before I left.”
    “I think Sarah’s passed you by. She never missed a lesson while you were gone. In fact, she’s already graduated to frying chicken and baking apple cobbler.” He rubbed his stomach. “I got to be the guinea pig. Tough job.”
    “Poor baby. I feel for you.”
    He sighed dramatically. “I know. It’s a burden I must bear with bravery.”
    I laughed at the silly look on his face. “Can you forget food for a moment? Let’s get back to Sarah. How’s she doing?”
    “I don’t know.” He shrugged. “I’m a guy. We’re not very good at figuring out how women feel.”
    I reached up and brushed a lock of sandy-blond hair from his eyes. “You’re one of the most sensitive, insightful people I’ve ever known. Even if you are male.”
    “Thanks, I think.” His expression turned serious. “To be honest with you, I think Sarah’s in a lot of pain. She and John have kept their word and stayed away from each other. But there’s this deep sadness in their eyes.” He stared at me for several seconds before continuing. “You know, if I ever lost you, I believe I’d look exactly the same way.”
    I kissed him softly. “You won’t ever lose me, you know. In a few days, I’ll be yours forever.”
    He wrapped his tanned, muscled arms around me. “I thought you already were mine forever.”
    We kissed again, and then I pushed him gently away. “If you keep that up, I’ll never get home.”
    “Fine by me.”
    “Now I know it’s time to go.” I got into my bright-yellow Volkswagen Bug and started the engine. Sam motioned to me to roll down my window.
    “I thought you were going to sell this car while you were in Wichita,” he said frowning.
    “I tried, but I couldn’t find anything else I wanted to buy.”
    “In all of Wichita there wasn’t one other car you liked? I find that hard to swallow.”
    “Well, you can believe what you want. If I have to get rid of my slug bug, I want a car with personality.”
    Sam pointed to his ancient truck, held together more by rust than metal. “You mean like that?”
    “Definitely not the kind of personality I’m going for. No decent hillbilly would be caught dead driving that poor thing. Thanks anyway.”
    “Are you calling me an indecent hillbilly?”
    I shrugged. “If the truck fits …”
    “You just don’t appreciate the kind of character brought about by use and age,” he sniffed, trying to look offended.
    I nodded. “You must be right ‘cause I think that sorry excuse for transportation should be put out of its misery.”
    “Women just don’t understand a man and his truck.”
    “Thank God for that.”
    He gave me his most pitiful look, which made me giggle. “And here I broke down and bought something new just to make you happy. You haven’t said one word about it.”
    I gazed at the big, beautiful red truck parked in the circular driveway. His decaying, beaten-up model had been pulled up next to the barn as if it had been relegated to second place. “I apologize. I truly applaud you, but why keep the old one?”
    “Because contrary to the theory that male members of society have no real feelings, I’m emotionally attached to it.”
    I gave him a big smile. “Well, you’re emotionally attached to me, too. But if you ever test-drive a newer model, you’ll end up in worse condition than that aged rattletrap.”
    He stuck his head into my window and kissed me soundly. “You have