Page 32 of A Soft Kiss in Summer
She opened her mouth to blurt out her problem, but stopped.Daisy didn’t know the whole wedding the day before had a farce.
“What is it?”
The expectant look on Daisy’s face soon gave way to indifference.That look told Violet more than words did.It told her Daisy knew no matter what the problem was, she wouldn’t be told.
She and Daisy were the closest in age.Her little sister was barely nineteen, but if Violet had to choose between her sisters, she’d say she was closer to Daisy than she was to Rose.Her older sister worked herself ragged and didn’t have time to sit around and gossip about everyday things.Daisy did, but Violet had always kept things to herself.She didn’t over share anything and as she looked at the expression on Daisy’s face, she wondered if maybe that was a mistake.
It was no secret Daisy kept to herself.Her disability made her life difficult, and she had to admit, they treated her differently because of it, even though they tried not to.The fact their baby sister was in the dark about so many things was proof of that.
Maybe that was why Daisy was so quiet and kept to herself.Because she knew they excluded her more often than not and by doing so, they were alienating her and turning her into the recluse they claimed she was.Were they the reason Daisy was so standoffish?
Probably.
She smiled and leaned back against the counter.“If I tell you something, you have to promise to keep it our little secret.”Even though Daisy had a hard time hearing, she’d learned to read lips over the years.She met her gaze and spoke slowly to make sure Daisy could understand what she was saying.“No telling gramps.”
Daisy grinned.“Your secret is safe with me.”
She inhaled a deep breath, then let it out.“Josiah and I aren’t really married.”When Daisy’s eyes widened, she said, “Well, I mean we are.The wedding was real, but…well, we didn’t consummate it last night.”
“Why?”
“Because we only got married, so Edwin would leave.Josiah is going to have the wedding annulled.”
Daisy’s brow scrunched.“But you’re in love with him.”
It was Violet’s eyes that widened then.“Who told you that?”
Daisy laughed and waved a hand, trying to get her giggles under control.“Everyone knows you’re sweet on Josiah, Violet.The whole town knows it.”
Her brows scrunched.“They do?”
Daisy nodded.“Yes.I think the only person who doesn’t is Josiah.”Her sister scraped the rest of the plates and pots and poured hot water into the sink before dunking the dishes inside.
“Why not just stay married?”
Daisy’s question was so simple and if she had her way, that’s exactly what she’d do.“Because Josiah doesn’t want to be married.”
“Why?”
She shrugged.“I don’t know.”
“Did he say he didn’t want to be married?”
“Well…” Had he?She couldn’t remember.“It doesn’t matter.He has plans to head to Elkin first chance he gets to have it annulled.”
“Unless you convince him not to.”Daisy smiled and wiggled her eyebrows.
“Are you suggesting I seduce Josiah Lincoln?”
“No.I’m suggesting you seduce your husband.”
“And how do you suppose I do that?I can’t just throw myself at him.I mean, he wasn’t even going to sleep in the same room with me last night.If Edwin hadn’t seen him going to the jail, he would have slept there all night.”
Her thoughts flashed back to the night before when Josiah had walked in on her while getting ready for bed.She’d been practically naked and all he’d done was look away and pretend it hadn’t even happened.If the sight of her nearly naked didn’t entice him, what was she supposed to do?
She asked Daisy the same thing after telling her what had happened the night before and her sister grew quiet, thinking as they washed the dishes together.Once the kitchen was clean and everything put back where it belonged, Violet sat down at the table across from Daisy.
The ticking of the clock in the living room was loud in the stillness, and she idly played with the tablecloth while lost in thought.Long minutes passed before Daisy sat up and made a small sound.
