Free Adding Up to Marriage by Karen Templeton Page A

ever be just the two of us?”
    An outburst of laughter from the boys’ room, where in all likelihood they were plotting world domination, sent Jewel closer so she could hear better. She’d already learned not to leave them alone for longer than five minutes or there would be hell to pay. By the middle of the afternoon Tad had already managed to wipe out half her brain cells; his brother handily took care of the rest within fifteen minutes of his return from school.
    â€œJewel? You listening to me?”
    â€œSorry—” she pulled her head back into the kitchen “—I’m a little distracted—”
    â€œAnd this last one’s a real bitch!”
    â€œAaron!”
    â€œNo lie, she really is. I heard her saying it was too bad my real mom wasn’t still alive so Dad could send me back to her.”
    Jewel’s heart cracked in two. For all her mother’s faults, Kathryn would’ve kicked to the curb any man who’d tried to make her choose between him and Jewel. Mama might not be exactly the strongest nail in the bin, but she was nothing if not loyal.
    â€œOh, honey…I’m so sorry. But look on the bright side—this one probably won’t last, either.”
    A sigh came through the phone. “Yeah. I know.” He paused. “I sure wish I could come live with you—”
    â€œAnd we’ve been all through this, sweetie. I love you to bits, you know that, but I’m not in any position to take care of a fifteen-year-old boy—”
    â€œBut you wouldn’t have to take care of me! You wouldn’t!I even get myself ready for school, pack my own lunch and everything! Please?”
    â€œHoney…no. First off, I doubt your dad would be on board with that. And second, I simply can’t be responsible for you. And I would be, whether you think so or not. Besides, are you sure maybe you didn’t misinterpret what that woman said—?”
    â€œYou’re not here, Jewel, you don’t see…” She could hear him fight tears; her own eyes stung in response. “It’s like Dad doesn’t know what to do with me or something. Like I’m gum on his shoe he can’t get off.”
    Oh, Lord—the child was gonna burn her heart right out of her body, and that was the truth. “Tell you what,” she said as she heard the front door open, Silas’s keys clatter into the metal dish on the hall table. “Maybe you can come visit for Thanksgiving. You, me, a twenty-pound turkey and football until your eyes fall out. How’s that sound?”
    â€œAnd your mom, right?”
    â€œI suppose. Who knows? But…you’d be okay with that?”
    â€œSure. I mean, yeah, Kathryn’s a little weird, but at least she was always nice to me. When she was around, anyway.” He paused. “You really mean it? About me coming for Thanksgiving?”
    â€œOf course I do! If it’s okay with Keith, why not?” She signaled to the frowning Silas she’d only be a sec. She also told herself he only looked that good on account of her spending the entire day with people who barely came up to her hip, but she knew that was a bold-faced lie. “I gotta go now, but we’ll talk again later, okay? Love you, kiddo. My stepbrother,” she said to The Scowl when she disconnected the call. “I’m gathering my ex-stepfather is being a butt.”
    Catching sight of the plate of oatmeal cookies, Silas slid onto a barstool in front of them. “Sorry to hear it,” he said,shoving a cookie into his mouth and making a big old mess all over the counter.
    Jewel shrugged, then pulled two glasses and a pair of plastic tumblers from the cupboard, briefly contemplating whether to bring up Tad’s needing to talk about his mom before deciding, no, it wasn’t her place. Not yet, at least. Instead she said, “You know that mulberry out back? Those low branches are perfect for