Chapter 40

She stood with mouth open as quiet settled over her. She wanted to go after him, but her body wouldn’t move, blindsided by the rejection. What had she done? And what had he said? Not possible. He was so together, knowing so much. If anyone was fucked up, it was her.

She crept down the bluff as the Sutherlands were warming up around the pool. There was nothing formal planned, they were on their own now, but a bar had been set up and John Witherspoon was tending as well as imbibing. People were in the pool, some fully dressed, and laughter prevailed, though in with the clamor there came a few voices distinctly raised in something other than fun. Jennalee circled wide, avoiding them all, which was nearly impossible since they’d scattered into every corner. She was waylaid more than once by a grab of her arm and compliments on her playing.

“Wonderful, young lady,” a woman gushed on liquored breath. “Delightful,” said the man with her.