Read Mattie's Call for Free Online Page B

free. “I’m not much for all this mingling. I need my traveling rest.” He extended his left hand and helped Mattie to her feet. “I’ll walk you back to your room.”
    She stood as well but swatted his hand. “I am in a mingling mood. I plan to stick around a little while longer. You go on back to your room. I’ll swing by there when I’m done.”
    He tipped his hat to her and gently kneaded her shoulder. “I had a really good time.”
    After he reached the door, Mattie uttered under her breath, “maybe in another lifetime.” As he walked away, her heartrate quickened as she touched her right wrist. Shackle free. Cathy’s Famous Punch was calling her name. She approached the refreshment table as Agatha chatted with Corneila and Harriet.
    â€œThey sang better this year. I know it was because of the tenor up front,” said Agatha. She pulled her mink stole closer and winked at him.
    Corneila and Harriet exchanged glances.
    â€œDidn’t you notice how he looked at me?”
    â€œI didn’t notice,” said Harriet, daintily adding finger sandwiches and fruit to her plate.
    â€œWell, he did. I don’t see a ring on his finger, either. Maybe he’s a widower.”
    Mattie couldn’t resist the urge to stir the gossip pot. She ladled punch and said, “He’d probably be perfect for you now that Kauthon’s leaving.”
    â€œLeaving?” Corneila, Harriet, and Agatha spoke in unison.
    Mattie sipped. Waited. “He didn’t tell you he’s moving to Connecticut?”
    Agatha’s face dropped at the news. “He hasn’t said anything to me. I at least want to say goodbye to him. I wanted to get to know him better and now he’s leaving.”
    â€œHe’s gone to bed now and you know he can sleep through a hurricane. I wouldn’t disturb him if I were you.”
    Everyone knew Agatha had crept into Kauthon’s room in the middle of the night at least three times. He began locking his door the night he woke up and discovered her next to him wearing lingerie and a chin-length bob wig. The street committee said he told her, “This ain’t Halloween and I don’t feel like playing tricks with you. Go back to your room, Agatha!”
    Agatha redirected her focus on Tenor Man. She walked away from them and chatted up the older man as he helped the band members pack their instruments.
    â€œAgatha is too old to be carrying on like some teenager,” said Corneila.
    â€œThere’s a difference between spunk and desperation. She thinks she has spunk, but God knows it’s desperation,” said Harriet.
    Band members stacked instruments on the rec room dolly and walked past the ladies. Mattie yawned. “I’m hitting the sack, too. I’ll see y’all in the morning.”
    She followed closely behind the men, falling in stride with the chatty bass player.
    â€œYou fellas need some help?”
    â€œWe’re just pulling the van around to put the instruments inside.”
    â€œAh, the least you can do is let me hold the door for you,” she said, rubbing her right wrist again. Washed in relief about the receptionist’s absence, she relaxed and quickened her pace.
    She pulled her purse and coat tighter, exiting Grand Oak with the band members. She scanned the parking lot, scared and excited when she saw the familiar car idling on the grass. She ran toward the vehicle, opened the door, and slammed it.
    â€œDrive. Go!” she shouted.
    â€œTen more minutes and I was about to drive off.”
    Mattie slid further in her seat as Joshua’s SUV turned into the parking lot.
    I knew he’d be too late.

8
About What I Said
    C olton enjoyed Gabrielle’s soft hands on his fleshy back. No other woman, not even his wife, popped the blackheads on his back like she did. In fact, his wife refused to do so. They’d just had a marathon love-making session when he