Free Rescue Me by Rachel Gibson

piece of Johanna Mae back.”
    At least it was a change of topic, but Sadie never knew what to say to that. She’d always felt like she should know, but she didn’t. Like she should just naturally know how to comfort her mother’s family for their loss, but she was clueless.
    “I remember the night she won Miss Texas. It was in Dallas and she sang ‘Tennessee Waltz’ for her talent.”
    Ivella nodded. “She sang like an angel. Miss Patti Page couldn’t have done a better job.”
    “Well, that’s where the similarities between my mother and me end. I can’t sing.”
    “Huh! What’d she say?”
    “She said she can’t carry a tune in a bucket! Bless her heart.”
    Aunt Bess rolled her eyes and cupped her hands around her mouth. “Where are your hearing aids, Nelma?”
    “On my nightstand! I took my ears out so I wouldn’t have to listen to Velma Patterson’s yappy dog, Hector, all damn day, and I forgot to put ’em back in! I hate that dog! Velma makes it bark on purpose ’cause she’s mean as a box of rattlers at a revival!”
    A dull pain thumped Sadie’s temples as the aunts bickered about hearing aids and evil dogs, but at least they’d moved off her lack of love life. For the moment, anyway.
    Five more minutes , she told herself, and drained the last of her wine. She felt a warm hand on her bare shoulder and looked up past the end of her glass. Past a pair of pressed khaki pants, and blue dress shirt covering big shoulders. The collar was open around his wide neck, and she had to force herself to swallow the wine in her mouth. Her gaze continued over his square jaw and lips, to his nose, and into a pair of light green eyes.
    “Sorry I’m late.” His deep, mellow voice put an end to all conversation.
    Sadie put her glass on the table and stood. She didn’t know which she felt most. Shock or relief. Shock that he was actually at the wedding or relief that his unexpected appearance had put an end to her familial torture. All three aunts stared, wide-eyed, at the big hunk of hot male in front of them.
    “I didn’t think you were coming.”
    “Neither did I, but I guess I can’t let you leave town knowing I still owed you. We wouldn’t be square.” He let his own gaze travel down the length of her. Over her bare throat and her breasts pushed together and encased in tight taffeta. Past her hips and down her legs to her feet. “And I had to get a good look at your Bubble Yum dress.”
    “What do you think?”
    “About?” His gaze traveled back up her body to her eyes.
    “The dress.”
    He laughed, a deep, rich sound that tingled her spine, for no reason other than she liked the sound. “Like you’re going to a prom and need a date.”
    “Funny, that’s how I feel.”
    “Who’s your gentleman, Sadie Jo?”
    She glanced over her shoulder and into the interested eyes of her three aunts. “This is Vince Haven. He’s in town visiting his aunt Luraleen Jinks.” She motioned to the three women staring back. “Vince, these are my aunts, Ivella, Nelma, and Bess.”
    “You’re Luraleen’s nephew?” Ivella struggled to her feet. “She said you were comin’ to see her. It’s a pleasure to meet you, Vince.”
    He moved around the table. “Please don’t get up, ma’am.” He bent over slightly and shook each aunt’s hand like his mama had raised him right. Gone was his five o’clock shadow, and his cheeks were smooth and tan.
    “Who is Sadie Jo’s young man?” Nelma hollered.
    “He’s not mine. He’s—”
    “Luraleen’s nephew, Vince!” Bess answered close to Nelma’s deaf ear.
    “I thought she said she liked women! Bless her heart!”
    Sadie closed her eyes. Just kill me now . There was nothing wrong with being lesbian, but she just happened to be straight, and Nelma yelling that she liked women was as embarrassing as if she’d hollered that she liked men. It made her appear desperate. She opened her eyes and looked up into the dark, handsome face of the stranger in front