A Weekend Getaway Read Online Free PDF Page B

“Anyway,
SarahHomemaker.com is such a clever url.”
    “Thanks,” Sarah answered. “It
started out as a way to update my in-laws on the kids. Whenever I tweaked a new
recipe or figured out how to make a craft even better, I’d post it there. Soon
all of my fellow stay-at-home moms were spreading the word to their friends.”
Her cheeks bloomed with pride. “Now I have thousands of visitors every day.”
    Ivy took a piece of gum out of
her purse and popped it into her mouth. “You’d think people would have better
things to do than make spaghetti sauce from scratch.”
    Sarah’s posture faltered for a
moment. She continued sorting clothes and took a deep breath. “I try not to
judge. If moms want to open a jar of Ragu so they have more time to make finger
puppets with their kids, then that’s great. It’s about maximizing the
motherhood experience.”
    Beth thought about Emma and how
much time she spent at daycare compared to home. Even though the little girl
wasn’t hers, Beth still suffered from a good dose of mom guilt.
    Ivy got up and began rifling
through outfits hanging beneath a sign that read $5. “I can’t believe I agreed
to do this project. Who knows where these clothes have been? There could be
bugs in here.”
    Beth and Sarah exchanged knowing
looks.
    “Go help the guys move furniture
then,” Sarah said.
    Ivy yawned. “I’m too tired for
that. Parker and I had a late night if you know what I mean.” She wiggled her
perfectly-tweezed eyebrows.
    Was that true or was Ivy lying?
Jealousy stirred inside of Beth as she remembered how Parker had tried to kiss
her last night. The muscles in her shoulders tightened as she forced herself to
focus on picking up and tossing clothes.
    Finding a nearby wicker chair
with some loose caning in the arms, Ivy sat down. “I don’t know how you two
with kids keep the passion alive. But for Parker and me it’s still like we’re
teenagers making out after prom. I would think more people would skip parenthood
if they knew how fabulous my life is.” She blew a pink bubble.
    Again Beth and Sarah glared at
each other knowingly. Beth had forgotten how annoying Ivy could be. Why had she
been so excited about this reunion anyway? Oh, that’s right. Because she wanted
to show off Drew.
    Ivy stretched and yawned again
as if she were a kid woken up too early. All drama—all the time. “I just
can’t do this today. I’m going for a nap so I’ll have the energy for dancing
tonight.” She disappeared in the back room and before long, Beth could hear her
and Parker arguing about her taking the car.
    “How will I get back?” his deep
voice asked.
    “Just get a ride from someone
else. You’re surrounded by friends.” Her tone hinted of sarcasm.
    A hesitation, then the jingle of
keys.
    With her back aching from so
much bending over, Beth dragged an armchair over to Sarah. “We’re going to be
here a long time. Might as well sit while we sort through the best and worst of
the 70’s, 80’s and 90’s.” She smirked and sat in Ivy’s abandoned wicker chair.
Feeling warm, she pulled off her baseball cap and set it next to her.
    Without Ivy there to distract
them, Sarah and Beth had the items sorted and boxed just in time to call it a
day. After seeing Sarah off, Beth decided to see if Drew was home. For a guy
who wanted to fix up the house all weekend, it didn’t make sense that he wasn’t
answering their home phone. She’d noticed the way the blonde cashier at the
hardware store smiled at him. Her voice on the phone when she called to say
their special ordered chandelier had arrived went from flirtatious to cold when
she realized it was Beth who’d answered. Was Drew flattered? No doubt. Was he
tempted? Good question. He did spend an awful lot of time at the hardware
store.
    Sitting in her car, she dialed
home on her cell, but again, no answer. She had a fleeting thought about trying
the hardware store when she realized she’d left her baseball cap