The Good Wife Read Online Free PDF

kill time, trying to feel stable and content even though in her heart, she was lonely and empty and just getting emptier . . .
    “It doesn’t matter,” Sarah said roughly, collecting her long hair and drawing it over her shoulder. “It’s not as if we can bring her back. All we can do is move forward.”
    Meg reached out to cup Sarah’s cheek. “You were always Mom’s baby. She absolutely adored you, Sarah. You know that, don’t you?”
    Uncomfortable, Sarah pulled back, leaning away from Meg’s touch, but not before she saw the flicker of hurt in Meg’s eyes. “Sorry, Mags,” she mumbled. “Just . . . overwhelmed.”
    “I understand,” Meg said, rising, smiling, and yet the shadow remained in her eyes.
    Sarah’s chest squeezed tight. “You’re a great big sister, you know that, don’t you?”
    Meg was silent a moment. “I’ve tried. But I don’t think I’ve always succeeded. Like last year when I—”
    “That’s the past.”
    Meg’s brow creased. “Is it?”
    Sarah nodded, definitely not wanting to go there either, since the whole affair thing was still a sensitive topic for everyone. “Jack was really helpful tonight. He did all the dishes at Mom and Dad’s . . . mountains of dishes.”
    “I saw.”
    “You don’t think it’s good?”
    “It’s great. And it’s what you or I or any of us would do at a family member’s funeral.”
    “What’s wrong?”
    Meg shook her head. “Nothing. Just tired. I should probably go check on the kids and go to bed.”
    As if on cue, Sarah’s phone vibrated on the nightstand. “Boone,” she said, reaching for her phone, reading his one-word text.
Here
.
    “He’s landed,” she added, glancing up at Meg, feeling as though an immense weight had tumbled from her shoulders.
    “That’s good. I know you never relax when he’s in the air.”
    “It’s silly. I know nothing’s going to happen,” Sarah answered, quickly texting Boone back.
Yay! Glad you’re on the ground. Call me when you can.
    Meg smiled indulgently as she watched Sarah text her husband. “You know air travel is so safe these days. There hasn’t been a big accident in the U.S. in years—”
    “Don’t say that. You’ll jinx him for sure that way.”
    “Come on, you’re not superstitious.”
    Sarah looked up, eyes wide. “Of course I am!”
    “Since when?”
    “Meg, I’m married to a professional baseball player. Ball players are incredibly superstitious—”
    “But that doesn’t mean you have to be.”
    Sarah’s phone rang. “Boone,” she said, grinning.
    Meg rolled her eyes. “Take the call. I’m heading to bed. See you in the morning.”
    Sarah blew her a kiss. “Sleep good. And thanks, Meg. For everything.”
    * * *
    I n the hall, Meg quietly closed the guest-room door so Sarah could have some privacy and headed toward her girls’ rooms. Tessa and Gabi were both already asleep, but sixteen-year-old JJ was at his desk, Skyping with his girlfriend, Heather. When he spotted his mother in the doorway, he tersely signaled for her to leave.
    “Simply saying good night,” she said mildly. “Just making sure you’re okay . . . with the funeral and all.”
    JJ’s glare suddenly softened and he said something to Heather before hitting the disconnect on the computer. Springing from his chair, he went to his mom and wrapped his arms around her in a quick, guilty hug. “Sorry. And I’m sorry about Grandma,” he muttered. “Sorry for you, too. It must be awful losing your mom. I would hate to lose you.”
    Meg, who’d kept it together for much of the day, blinked to clear the hot, stinging sensation from her eyes. “Well, I have no intention of going anywhere, and Grandma was a really good mom.”
    “I loved Grandma.”
    “I know. And she loved you.”
    JJ pulled away and folded his arms across his chest. He’d grown five inches in the past six months and had filled out through the chest and shoulders, showing an early hint of the Brennan brawn.