Playing for Keeps/A Tempting Stranger Read Online Free PDF Page B

somewhere else now."
"Oh," he said as his face fell. Trying once again, he asked, "Do you got a kid I can play with?"
"No," she said sorrowfully, for herself this time, "I don't have one of those either, but I wish I did."
He turned his head in the direction of the gray relic sitting in the driveway. "Is that your truck?"
"Yes," she said smiling. "Do you like it?"
"Yuk, no!" he said adamantly. "It's ugly."
"Jamie!" His mother sounded shocked. "That isn't a nice thing to say to Jessica!"
Jessica laughed, "No, but very truthful!"
"Well, listen, I have to be running on," Maureen was saying. "Call me sometime and let's have lunch together. I'll fill you in on all the local gossip, and you can fill me in on what's been keeping you in Austin."
"Fine," she agreed readily. "As soon as I get things under control, I'll give you a call."
"Great! Come on, Jamie, let's get going," she ordered.
" 'Bye, Jesseeka," he called as he went pedaling loudly on down the street.

 

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Chapter Two
The clock in the steeple of the old Methodist church sitting on the corner was just tolling two when Jessica stepped onto the porch. The mouth-watering aroma of someone's pot roast cooking for their evening meal assailed her nostrils as she reached down and rang the door-bell. The door was opened immediately by a pleasant pudgy-faced woman whose mouth broke into a large smile when she saw Jessica standing there. Judge Baker's wife was a roly-poly little woman who made you feel good just to be around her. Uncle Fred used to tease Aunt Rainey about her weight sometimes, telling her if she didn't lay off the sweets, she'd soon be as big as Edna Baker. He'd laugh and say that when she walked down the aisle for

 

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Sunday morning services, her fanny looked like two wildcats wrestling in a gunnysack. ''Yessir"he'd grin"if being fat was a crime, ol' Edna would be in for a life sentence."
"Jessica Cole, come in here, girl, and let me look at you." Mrs. Baker beamed. "My goodness gracious, you're prettier than ever! I told the judge just this morning, why you hadn't run off to Hollywood to be one of them big movie stars is beyond me," she rattled on. "Mercy sakes, Fred and Rainey was proud of you!"
Jessica blushed at the outlandish praise, and hoping to steer the conversation into another channel, she asked, "I'm not too early?"
"Heavens to Betsy, child, not if you don't mind waiting until the judge finishes his lunch. He won't be long now. Come on, sweetie, you can wait for the judge in his study."
She proceeded to lead the way through the comfortable old living room. The clock on the mantle was chiming, and Jessica heard Edna's birds singing in their cages in front of the window. They moved on down the hall and stopped in front of a large oak door. She poked her head in the open door and motioned for Jessica to enter. "Now, you just make yourself at home. The judge will be right with you in a little bit." Mrs. Baker patted Jessica's shoulder as Jessica sank into the overstuffed chair in front of the judge's desk. Mrs. Baker quietly closed the door behind her, leaving Jessica to gaze around the room distractedly. As she sat with her hands in her lap waiting to hear the will Jessica couldn't help but think back to how her aunt and uncle had reacted to the news of her marriage to Jason.
"Married!" Aunt Rainey had sunk weakly into the chair at the kitchen table.
"Well, I won't hear of it," Uncle Fred boomed out, his loud, deep voice echoing around the room.
Jessica sought the comfort of Jason's arm, panic filling her. She had never dreamed they would take it this badly.

 

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''Merciful heavens, boy! What in the world were you thinking of? She's nothing but a baby yet!" Uncle Fred's face was red and his breathing growing heavy and raspy. "She's not ready to take on the responsibility of a marriage!"
"She's seventeen, sir," Jason respectfully reminded him, holding tight to Jessica's trembling hand.
"Jessica, dear, what about school?" Aunt Rainey