The Lure of White Oak Lake Read Online Free PDF

Morgan been wearing a shirt with a collar, her wavy dark hair would’ve just touched it.
    If Chet suspected Morgan was gay, then no doubt the others did, too. If Morgan was single, the hens would find out, then Jaclyn’s problems would begin. Most everyone in White Oak Lake aside from her parents’ religious contingent wanted to see Jaclyn paired up with someone who would make her happy.
    “There you are,” Betsy said when she noticed Jaclyn. “We were just telling Morgan all about you.”
    “Oh, and I just thought my ears were burning because I’d gotten too much sun on the walk over here.” Jaclyn stepped up on the porch. “Morgan, it’s probably best if you don’t believe everything you hear.” Jaclyn kissed Betsy on the cheek and gave Ida a hug.
    “It’s all nice,” Betsy said a bit too cheerily for Jaclyn’s liking.
    “Hey again.” Morgan handed Jaclyn a glass of tea.
    “You learn fast,” Jaclyn said after she’d taken a swallow. “Real glass, too. That’s a special added touch.”
    “We’re running low on plastic cups,” Ida said in her brash tone as she entered the conversation. “I have more at the house. Betsy, you come on and help me carry them.”
    Jaclyn watched the two hens strut away, Betsy in her navy polka dot capris with a white billowy top and Ida wearing her husband’s shirt and jeans that were too long and dragged the ground behind the heel of her boot. Their heads bobbed up and down just like chickens pecking at the dirt as they walked, and they were probably clucking away about Morgan as they went.
    “Hey, Mom,” Austin called out as he passed with an armload of sticks.
    “Hey, bud.” Jaclyn regarded him with a smile as he tossed the debris into a cart. “It’s a good thing you caught these guys today,” she said as she turned back to Morgan. “On weekdays, this place is a ghost town. Everyone leaves for work, and the kids are in school.”
    “I didn’t mean to catch them, but, oh my God, I’m so glad I did. The backyard doesn’t look like a jungle anymore.” Morgan held her glass to the side of her sweating face. “I figured it would be a long time before this place looked like someone actually lived here.”
    “There’s no mistaking that now, especially with all the lights you had on last night.” Jaclyn pointed at a floodlight on the corner of the porch. “They’re still on.”
    Morgan pursed her lips as her face colored. “Be right back.” She opened the front door and reached in to flip the switch. “I’ve been in the city for a long time. I’m used to hearing horns and motor noise, but last night, it was too quiet.”
    “Okay,” Jaclyn said slowly.
    “I was able to hear other noises, animal sounds. I hoped the light might make them go away.”
    “Ah,” Jaclyn said with a nod. “I imagine there’s quite a few that have taken up residence here since it’s been so quiet. I have a raccoon that sits on top of my grill and looks inside all the time.”
    “Yesterday was cool, but it’s hot as hell today.” Morgan watched Clarke go by on the tractor. He’d traded the bush hog for a cart that was filled high with brush. “Harlan says they’re gonna make a bonfire out of the trees and limbs. I hope they wait until January.”
    “Humidity’s up.” Jaclyn looked up at the sky. “We might get rain tomorrow, maybe tonight. Is your roof good?”
    “I think so. I didn’t see any stains on the ceilings.” Morgan looked down at the covered dish. “That’s Betsy’s chicken salad. I could make you a sandwich if you’d like.”
    “I’ve already eaten, but thanks,” Jaclyn said as she scooped up the bowl. “She uses mayonnaise, so you should probably put it in your fridge and what’s left of the ice in the freezer.”
    Morgan grabbed the bowl with the bag of ice sitting in it and opened the door for Jaclyn. “Have you lived here all your life?”
    “Yep, there’s no place I’d rather be. I like to visit New Orleans, but a weekend in