at me that way. I haven’t read it. And I haven’t even seen the movie. Let’s have a show of hands. How many of y’all have read the book?”
Only Rocky and Nita raised their hands, and Rocky punctuated the point by saying, “I’ve read it, but I wouldn’t mind reading it again. It’s a particular favorite of mine.”
“Well then, that settles it, girls,” Hettie said. “We’re going to read Pride and Prejudice next.”
“Now, Hettie, I’m sure that we can—”
Hettie cut Nita off. “Nita, honey, I know you love the idea of having a literary book club. But that doesn’t mean light comedy or happy love stories can’t ever get onto our reading list. To be honest, I’m tired of having my mind improved. I just want to read something fun. With a happy ending. And besides, I think reading Pride and Prejudice would be a wonderful way of welcoming Savannah to our group. That was a very good book suggestion, Savannah. I’m so glad you’re here. I’m sure we’re going to be great friends.”
Savannah stared at Hettie. There was an avid look on Hettie’s face that made a shiver of warning skip up Savannah’s spine. Hettie wanted something from her.
CHAPTER 4
Dash sat in the rocking chair, trying not to worry about Aunt Mim. And the more he tried to push his worry aside, the more annoyed he got at the kid. Todd was sitting on the porch swing with his video game and his earphones.
The kid was not his problem. Miriam was. But every time he glanced Todd’s way, something jolted through him. He recognized that kid. He knew him inside and out. And having to sit here and watch him was driving Dash right up a wall. He wanted to escape to Dottie’s place, but she’d made it clear that he was no longer welcome there.
He ground his teeth together and glanced at the kid again. Jeez, he looked pasty white. He needed to get out in the sun. Too bad it wasn’t quite warm enough to take him down to the river for a swim.
Maybe he could put the kid to work mucking out stalls. He smiled at the thought. Then he checked himself. What the hell did he know about kids anyway?
Dash closed his eyes, leaned his head back on the rocker, and listened to the crickets. If Uncle Earnest were still alive, he would put the kid to work at the theater. Dash’s heart thumped against his ribs. Yeah, and Uncle Harry would have picked a fight. Harry and Dash had fought with each other from day one. The old man was still being feisty the day before he died. Dash and Harry were way too much alike. It was the Randall blood in their veins.
But Uncle Earnest never raised his voice. He just showed up with a pair of baseball gloves and a ball.
Of course. Why hadn’t Dash thought of that before?
Dash stood up and headed into the house. He took the steps as quickly as his bum knee would let him. His gloves were tucked into a wooden trunk at the foot of his bed. He pulled out his gamer and a slightly smaller mitt that he still kept oiled, with a baseball tucked into the pocket so it wouldn’t lose its shape. It was old now, but it had the patina of a glove well used. He remembered the day Uncle Earnest had brought it home.
He picked it up and headed downstairs. “Hey, kid,” he said when he reached the porch again.
He didn’t get much of a reaction. The kid was tuned out most of the time.
He leaned over and plucked the PSP from Todd’s hands. The earbuds came out of the kid’s ears.
“Hey, gimme that back.”
Dash turned and hurled the game into the pine trees along the front of the yard. Hopefully the pine needles would provide a soft landing for the gadget; otherwise Dash was going to be out a few hundred to replace the thing.
Todd stood up, the expression on his face telegraphing pure belligerence. “Mom’s right, you’re crazy.”
“Well, even a stopped clock is right twice a day,” Dash said.
The kid frowned. “What’s that supposed to mean? Move, I gotta go find my PSP.”
“Nope. You’re going to play catch with me.”
Todd glared at the baseball gloves in Dash’s hand. “I don’t want to play catch. Baseball sucks.”
“Watch your mouth, young man,” Miriam said from her rocker, proving that the old woman was not dozing like Dash had thought.
“Are you afraid?”