Call Me Michigan Read Online Free Page A

swallowed. It was crazy how even though he and Taylor were back in the same town, they suddenly didn’t seem to be on the same planet any longer.

Taylor had never been afraid to walk into business meetings, no matter how many sharks sat at the other end of the table watching her as if she was their next meal, yet she was terrified of crossing the doorstep to the house that used to be her childhood home. It fazed her that Mason just assumed she’d still remember his number and therefore hadn’t bothered to tell her again, but even worse was that she indeed recalled every single digit with ease.
    The rain was gone, and while the encounter with Mason had left her reeling, she needed to focus. Stepping on the porch, she put her sea sack down and kicked off her ballerinas, placing them next to Tammy’s cowboy boots and Tim’s sneakers. She missed her own boots something fierce and decided that one day soon, once everything settled down, she’d get herself a new pair.
    She pushed open the screen door, being surprised at how Mason’s jacket almost felt like armor, making her more brave and giving her a sense of security she clearly needed.
    “Tammy! Taylor’s here!” Tim bounded down the stairs squealing just as she stepped inside. He threw himself at her, and she caught him even though he was getting heavy fast. She cuddled him close; Skype talks couldn’t replace the feeling of holding her baby brother.
    “So happy you’re home, Tay,” he burst out, squeezing her tightly while her sister followed at a much slower pace. Timothy struggled, and Taylor placed him back on his feet. She kept her eyes on her sister, and her heart broke as she realized how grown up the twenty-one-year-old woman appeared. In fact, it was as if Tamara carried the weight of the world on her shoulders, and Taylor hated it. “Are you gonna have pizza with us, Tay? Tammy promised we’d celebrate with pizza since”—he made a face, wrinkling his nose—“Tammy’s cooking sucks.”
    Taylor kept her focus on her sister while ruffling Tim’s hair. “Why don’t you go ahead and figure out what you want?” she suggested, and he skipped away.
    Tamara’s eyes glistened with tears. “I’m so sorry, Lori.” She was the only one who got away with calling her that. “I prayed every day that someone would stay around long enough until Tim’s going off to college, but I guess Dad got tired of everythin’! I’m so sorry!” Tamara went on, and Taylor pulled her into her arms, kissing her hair.
    “Stop worrying. I’m happy to be here. And I hear you applied for college! Why didn’t you tell me? I’m so proud of you, Tammy! Seriously!” Against her shoulder, her sister shook her head, bunching Mason’s jacked in her fists.
    “I’m not goin’. I’ll get a job and help you with the farm. I …”
    “Tamara, this is not a discussion. You were accepted, and you’re going. I should’ve stepped up much earlier, and I’m sorry you had to carry that burden, but now, I am here, and I’m not ever going away again.”
    Tammy pulled back, scrutinizing her. “Guess what, it’s not your job, either, Lori. Our parents should be here; you and Andrew should be planning a family instead of you managing one,” she admonished, and Taylor closed her eyes. She and Andrew should’ve planned many things, but somehow, they never went further than the dating part. They told everyone they were a couple and maybe would think more about the future once everything settled down. The moment she knew she’d have to return, Andrew had been the first thing to go. Walking away from him had been too easy, and it probably should’ve made her pause, but he was the least of her worries.
    “Hey.” She smiled, brushing some tears away from Tammy’s face. “I’m still gonna manage something, only now it will be a farm and family instead of parties. Someone needs to fill that position when you leave for school.”
    Tammy’s eyes finally shrank to slits as if only