One Tiny Lie – Jennifer Youngblood Page 0,26

out. “I’m Luna, Ava’s twin sister.” She took hold of Rosalyn’s arm. The middle-aged woman allowed Luna to lead her over to the bed where she sat down on the edge.

Rosalyn kept her eyes pinned on Luna. “I knew you were so different, but I never dreamt …” She looked at the screen. “This is incredible,” she mused.

Ava giggled. “I know.”

“But how?” Rosalyn gasped, clenching her hands tightly in her lap.

Luna sat down in the chair and looked at Ava. “Maybe you should explain it to her.”

That’s all it took for Ava to start talking a mile a minute, telling Rosalyn all about how their birthmother had gotten them together shortly before she died.

Luna was relieved to see that the color was returning to Rosalyn’s face and she was no longer wringing her hands. Apprehension clawed at the base of Luna’s skull. Would Rosalyn be willing to keep their secret? Or was everything ruined?

“Why did you switch places?” Rosalyn asked, her dark eyes wary.

Ava sighed. “The engagement to Hudson pushed me over the edge.” She scrunched her face. “I was so sick of Mom trying to dictate every facet of my life. It was like she expected me to just solve all of her and Dad’s problems. She’s always been that way, ever since I can remember.”

Rosalyn’s lips formed disapproving lines. “You shouldn’t talk about your mama that way. She’s a good woman.”

Ava rolled her eyes. “I know she’s a good woman. I just couldn’t take it anymore, so I talked Luna into switching places with me.”

Rosalyn’s eyes were wider than full moons as she homed in on Luna. “Why did you go along with this?”

“Ava wasn’t the only one who needed a new life,” Luna said with a shrug, feeling very small right now.

Rosalyn’s hand went over her chest, her eyes going troubled. “Beverly has been so happy. She thinks she has her daughter back.” She shot Ava a condemning look. “You have to fix this.”

“I will,” Ava responded, “but it’s not time yet.”

“What do you mean?” Rosalyn asked, her voice coated with suspicion.

Ava looked at Luna. “Can I tell her?”

“Sure,” Luna said. There was no point in keeping anything back. Rosalyn already knew too much.

“Here’s where it gets good,” Ava said in a juicy tone, her eyes sparkling. “Luna’s in love with Hudson.”

The only sound in the room was Rosalyn’s sudden intake of breath. She crossed herself again. “But Hudson thinks he’s marrying Ava.”

“I know,” Luna said sadly, the full scope of the predicament covering her like a hot, wet blanket.

Rosalyn’s head swung back and forth. “Pobre chico. He’s such a good man. He doesn’t deserve to be deceived.” She gave Luna a condemning look.

Guilt churned in Luna’s stomach. “We never meant to hurt Hudson,” she explained, swallowing the tightness in her throat. “I care about him a lot.”

Rosalyn turned her focus to the screen. “Where are you?”

“In Nashville, Tennessee. Tomorrow, we’re flying to Miami.”

“Who’s we?” Rosalyn asked, raising her eyebrow.

Ava’s eyes rounded. “Oh, wow. I guess there’s a lot to tell you.” She pursed her lips. “Let’s see, I’ll give you the abbreviated version. While I was pretending to be Luna, I crossed paths with Cash Romeo.” Seeing Rosalyn’s blank expression, Ava went on to explain. “He’s country music royalty.”

Rosalyn squinted at the screen. “Are you wearing a sling?”

“Yeah. I’ll get to that later. I’m now part of Cash Romeo’s tour.”

“What kind of tour?” Rosalyn asked skeptically.

Ava laughed. “He’s a country music superstar, Rosie. We sing together in concerts all over the world.”

Astonishment draped Rosalyn’s features. She looked to Luna for confirmation. “Everything she’s saying is true,” Luna answered.

“It gets better. You see, Luna is an amazing songwriter, but she’s not a performer. We combined forces. Luna writes the songs, and I perform them. Together, we’re pure gold.” Ava rushed on, her voice bubbling with enthusiasm. “We’re making money, Rosie, lots of it! Soon, we’ll have enough to help Mom and Dad with the vineyard.”

“Is that true?” Rosalyn asked Luna.

“It is,” Luna asserted.

Rosalyn rubbed her jaw. “Wow, this is …” She shook her head. “Wow!” Her brows furrowed as she looked at Luna. “Are you okay with this … spending your money on the vineyard?”

Luna squared her jaw. “I am.”

“But why?” Rosalyn asked, studying her intently.

Luna could tell that Ava was interested in the answer as well. She gathered her thoughts to put them into words. “My adopted parents divorced when I was six. My dad is a dentist. He fell in love with his hygienist. He