Chapter 44 Jane
Jane
I can’t believe we’re being dragged out to Nellie’s house tomorrow for the Fourth of July. Not that I give a shit about the actual holiday; I just don’t want to go to her house. With Luke, Pa, and Mom.
But also, I kind of do? That glimpse I got of it the other day while we were parked out front made me want to see how those people actually live. I bet it’s like a castle in there.
Mom brought it up at the dinner table tonight, humming as she passed around the bowl of mashed potatoes. All chipper. I bet she’s chipper; she’s gonna get to see Nellie’s hunky dad again.
“That man, Jackson, called for you earlier,” Mom said, thwacking the wooden serving spoon against the salad bowl.
Pa glanced up, cleared his throat. “And? What did he say?”
“Well, he invited us all out to the Andersens’ tomorrow evening. For a Fourth of July party. Said Mrs. Andersen had reconsidered and wanted to see about you making something for them after all.” Mom bit a grin back. “So I think we should go.”
“You do?”
“Yes, obviously.”
I wondered why Pa was even hesitating, but I was just happy he was.
Then he started in on Luke. “Son, you could do well to work the room, chitchat with everyone. Follow Jane’s lead; she’s really good at it.” Pa winked at me.
My stomach soured. I seriously do not want Luke getting involved in all that. Especially if it means more flirting with Nellie.
“Make sure you really lay it on thick for the Andersens.” Pa lifted a slab of ham onto his plate. “And like I said, follow Jane’s lead. You need to learn—”
My fork scraped the plate. “I don’t know if that’s such a good idea. Can’t we just handle that part of it? Luke is here to learn woodworking, not how to act like a politician—”
Pa cut his eyes over to me, jerked his head to the side. “Stay out of it, Sunshine.”
I would have felt better if someone had cold slapped me across my face. “But—” I protested.
“That’s part of the business, too. Meeting people, getting clients, building trust—”
Luke’s eyes shifted between the two of us. He shrugged at me, as if to say, It’s no big deal; let it go.
So I did.
“I wanna come—” Julia blurted.
“No,” Pa said, dragging his cotton napkin over his lips, “you are to stay here with Molly. I don’t need any distractions.”
“But…” Her voice cracked, and I thought she might break out into tears. “Why can’t Jane stay home this time?”
Tension thickened across the table. It was on.
Pa couldn’t say, Because your sister is much more charming. So he fumbled, twisted his napkin in his lap.
“You know your sister is the face of our operation. You know she can work a room. This is too important! This could land us our biggest client!”
Julia pushed her chair back with such force, it sounded like she scratched the wooden floorboards. She stood and slid it back under the table so violently, the dishes clattered.
Behind her, the back door slammed.
If she were kinder to me, I’d chase her, try to make nice.
Instead, a sly grin crept across my face.
At least I wouldn’t have to deal with her prying little eyes at the party.