Dark Legacy by Jen Talty (reading books for 4 year olds .txt) 📗

“Sorry. It’s just that Cameron talks about you all the time.”

“Who’s that?”

“Shannon’s best friend from college. Anyway, I’ll be out of your hair shortly,” Tara said. “My mother kind of lives in her own world and, unfortunately, you just entered her orbit unwillingly. Worst case, I call an Uber.”

“Is her world a really bad place to be?” Jackson asked, his inquisitive side taking over. He’d get over the tiny ounce of guilt he felt scratching his mind over pumping Tara for information.

But first, he’d have to get her to stick with one subject at a time.

Tara laughed. “Not usually for me. My sister is a different story. And today, you are her pawn.”

“Do I want to know why?”

Tara took in a deep breath. “Long story short, I made the mistake of not being aware that my mother was lurking in the shadows when I got into a tiff with my boyfriend. We both said some things we shouldn’t have, but his father and my mother are making us both nuts. I told him I needed to cool off, and he said he needed a break. I think my mom took that as us breaking up—which we didn’t. Then she told me that Shannon was having a hard time because yesterday was the anniversary of her father’s death. Which I should have known was total bullshit, but I fell for it because I love my sister and would do anything for her.”

“Is there a conclusion to this story?” Jackson was concerned the girl would pass out if she didn’t take a breath.

“Oh. Yeah. I think my mother plans to inform Kevin that I’m spending the evening with you to try and make him jealous.”

Jackson squeezed his hand into a tight fist before shaking it out. “I hope your boyfriend is smarter than that.”

“He is. But that doesn’t change the rumors my mother could spread in her dainty little group of gossiping control freaks who have way too much time on their hands.”

“Want a soda? Or maybe a beer or something?” Jackson asked. His sisters would be disappointed if he didn’t show the young lady some hospitality. And, since Tara was so willing to rattle things off, he figured she might give him some insight into Shannon. “You are old enough to drink, aren’t you?”

“I’m twenty-two, thank you very much. And I’d love a drink. If you have wine, I’d prefer that. But no biggie if you don’t. Just anything with alcohol in it. I’m going to need it to calm myself down so I don’t strangle my mother, the meddling pain in the ass.”

“Why don’t you sit here?” He pointed to the chairs around the fire pit. “Mine are better than your sister’s. She really needs to get wooden ones.”

“No, shit.”

Jackson enjoyed Tara’s sassy personality. It reminded him of his sister, Sarah. “I’ve got a phone call to make. But when I’m done, I’ll bring out a bottle of wine.”

“Perfect,” she said, her focus back on her cell.

He unlocked his front door and then flew up the stairs, taking the steps two at a time. As soon as he was at the top, he pulled out his phone and dialed Shannon’s number. He wanted to make sure Tara didn’t hear a word of the conversation.

She answered on the second ring. “Hello?”

“It’s Jackson. Just thought you might like to know your mother stopped by.”

“To see you?”

“Not sure, she left in a hurry. But she also left your sister, Tara, behind for me to entertain.”

“Well, shit. I’m so sorry,” Shannon said. “What did my mother say?”

“Not much, but your sister’s rambling on and on, and I’m confused about a few things.”

“I’m not surprised. She’s a talker, like my mother. Thankfully, she doesn’t meddle in everyone else’s business, even though she has an opinion about everything. I’ll be home in ten minutes or so, depending on traffic.”

“I’ll keep your sister amused. Or maybe it will be the other way around.” Jackson put his phone into his pocket.

He snagged a nice bottle of red and three glasses.

Tara had made herself comfortable in one of the chairs and kicked her feet up onto one of the end tables. “Thank you.” She grabbed the glass he offered and took a generous sip. “I’m going to wait for my sister. I’d like to talk to her for a couple of minutes, but then I’ll leave so you can have your date.”

“It wasn’t a date, really. We sometimes share an evening drink or have a morning cup of coffee.”

Tara tipped her head, raising her eyelids to give him a sideways glance. “Are you implying you roll out of bed and drink coffee with my sister? Which house do you sleep at?”

Jackson felt his cheeks flush. “I didn’t mean it that way.”

Tara laughed, waving her hand in the air. “I know. My sister doesn’t do relationships. Not even sure she’s ever had a one-night stand, much less let a man spend the night. Cameron and I have tried fixing her up a dozen times. Shannon always finds a reason to end something before it even starts. Something about her job being too time-consuming and sucking up all her emotional energy or some such bullshit.”

Jackson tossed a few pieces of wood into the pit and shoved a wad of newspaper under them before lighting a fire stick. He’d been gun-shy for the last year. Divorce tended to do that to a man. But he hadn’t given up on the idea of finding the right woman.

It sounded like Shannon didn’t even want to consider spending her life with anyone, and that had his mind turning over a million questions about why.

There was always a reason.

“She just hasn’t found the right man, that’s all,” Jackson said.

The wood crackled as the fire took hold, sending sparks and smoke into the sky. He eased into the chair with the best view of the road, something he never did. He always preferred to stare at the dark water lapping at the shore. But tonight, he only