My Twist of Fortune Rayne, Piper (top books to read TXT) 📖

silence for a moment, his eyes dipping once more to my breasts. “I’ll be right back.”

“Okay.” Find a new word, Marla.

He’s the first one to walk away. My libido screams about what a wimp I am, but what was I going to do? Jump in his arms and kiss him?

His truck starts and I wait to hear the crunch of the gravel under his tires before I knock my head against the wall in complete and utter embarrassment. Returning home is going great so far.

It takes all the strength I have to pull out of the McAlisters’ driveway knowing Marla is in there—alone—wearing a tight white tank that made it clear she isn’t wearing a bra. Her hard nipples were practically begging me to tear the thin material off her body and suck on them.

When Mrs. McAlister called this morning with the news about the hot water heater, I assumed that the sexual tension that had always lingered between us in high school had faded. We’d moved in two different directions. She married my cousin and me Laurie. We have families of our own, kids who are almost grown.

Rumors have run rampant in Sunrise Bay about why Marla McAlister-Greene is back in town with four kids. According to our small town gossip brigade, Jeff couldn’t keep it in his pants, cheating with any woman who showed interest. They said Marla was crushed she wasn’t enough for him, but she stayed for the money and security. I always assumed she stayed for the kids though. Marla was never the type who cared about money. But maybe once you have it, it changes things.

Jeff’s a real estate developer, from what I know. Our dads didn’t always see eye to eye, and when Jeff took Marla down to Arizona for a business opportunity he got from a college buddy, my aunt and uncle followed them. They’ve never returned, not even to bury my father. That’s the day I lost all respect for them. I no longer consider Jeff or his parents’ family, even if we share a last name. There are people here in Sunrise Bay who picked my mom up, who took care of my kids and me after Laurie passed. Those people are my family even if we don’t share blood.

I park along the curb of Handyman Haven. I’ll try to be in and out because downtown is like a game of gossip telephone from one store to the next. If they’re not trying to fix me up, they’re trying to set up my kids.

I pull my phone out of my pocket and dial Mr. McAlister.

“Hank,” Mrs. McAlister answers the phone.

“Hi, Mrs. McAlister, is Mr. McAlister around?”

“How was my daughter? Did she look okay? I’m so worried. I told Frank we should head home, but he swears she’s fine and a little alone time would do her good, but I’m not so sure. I mean—”

“She looks good.” I refrain from telling her how Marla might have looked a little unhinged when she came out of the minivan. I’ve been where she is. Not exactly—my wife died—but there were days I didn’t want to get out of bed. And I’m sure the kids are navigating new terrain with their dad still back in Arizona.

A long breath falls out over the phone. “Oh good. Maybe you could take her out.”

“Helen, stop trying to set them up,” Mr. McAlister says in the background.

“I’m not trying to set them up, but she needs friends.” Her voice grows farther away until it’s Frank on the phone.

“What’s up, Hank? Tank is blown, I guess?”

“Yeah. Sorry, completely rusted out. I’m at Handyman Haven to grab a new one. Wanted to talk to you about how you want to handle this.”

“Let me know what I owe you. I almost replaced it last year, but I figured we might as well get the last bit out of it. I guess my grandkids finished it off for me.” He chuckles.

“Speaking as someone with teenagers, you’re probably right.”

“Helen’s on my tail every day to get back up there, but this is our vacation. I feel bad for Marla, but it’s not like we didn’t see this all coming. Jeff’s a weasel. He never deserved her in the first place.”

I say nothing. As weird as it is, Mr. and Mrs. McAlister always feel open to talk to me about how horrible my cousin and his family are because of the very public feud between the two Greene brothers.

“And his dad is a whole other story. Your mother picked the right Greene there.”

I nod although he can’t see me. Not sure what he wants me to say. This town acts as if I don’t know the story of how Ethel Mann fell in love with two brothers once upon a time.

“I’ll get this new tank in and I’ll clean up the mess too,” I say.

“Are you sure? My grandson can help as soon as he gets home from school.”

“It’s a slow day for me.”

“Thanks, Hank, we feel so much better knowing you’re taking care of this.” He pauses before he whispers, “How is she really?”

“She’s good.”

“Come on. It’s me. She sounds horrible on the phone.” His voice is so low I struggle to hear him.

“I only saw her for about five minutes, but she’s holding up.” Which isn’t a lie. She’s standing, her kids got to school, and based on the stain on her sweatshirt, she’s eating.

“Okay. Good. That’s good.” I can almost see his gray hair falling onto his forehead as he nods. I’m not sure my words are doing much to make him feel better.

“Well, I’m gonna head in and grab this.”

“Yeah, I don’t wanna take up any more of your time.”

“Have fun. We’ll see you in about two months, right?”

“Yeah, we’re heading into the Midwest tomorrow.”

“Great. Safe travels, Mr. McAlister.”

“Bye, Hank.”

We hang up and I climb out of my truck, rounding the back and stepping up to the sidewalk. My mind is consumed by Marla returning to town,