This Side of the Sun (The Sun Trilogy) Read Online Free Page B

me comfortable. I buried my head in my cup of tea, sipping at it even though it was still far too hot.
    “So, Justine and I have some news,” said Joe.
    I looked up, grateful for the distraction.
    “Oh?” asked Miranda.
    Joe joined Justine, standing behind her at the table. “We’ve decided to go ahead with the wedding. We’re heading to the Justice of the Peace today.”
    “Aw, man, you sure you two want to do that?” asked Everett.
    Miranda promptly elbowed her son in the ribs to warn him to shut up. “I think it’s a fine idea. It’s the simple things that matter in life, right?”
    “Where will you go?” I asked. “The court house is gone.”
    Fidalgo Bay had one of the smallest court houses in the state, but it had been downtown in the line of the explosions. It’d be either burnt down or off limits now.
    “We’ll head in to Anacortes. I already checked online and they have open hours today.”
    “It’s Sunday, though,” I remarked.
    Justine looked up at my brother and smiled. She always looked so in love when around him. “The courthouse itself is closed for the weekend but the JOP is private. We’re hoping you’ll all come as witnesses?” Her blue eyes sparkled. “If you feel up to it, Hattie?”
    I nodded. In truth, I wanted to go back to bed and loaf in my pajamas all day and feel sorry for myself, but I couldn’t say no. “Sure I do. I wouldn’t miss my baby brother’s wedding for anything!”
    Justine beamed. “Good! Two o’clock it is then.”
    “I’ll be ready,” I mumbled into the mug in my hands as I took another sip.
    “We should eat,” said Miranda. “Bacon and eggs anyone?”
    “I think I’ll just have a slice of toast,” I mumbled. “And maybe a piece of bacon. And maybe some eggs,” I added.
    “Hungry?” asked Joe snidely.
    I rolled my eyes at him dramatically and then smiled.
    I was finding it hard to think about anything but the events of the day before. Eventually someone set a plate in front of me with two buttered pieces of wheat toast, scrambled eggs, and two slices of crispy bacon. I ate, pretending to listen to Justine as she rattled off her plans for the day. They would be spending the next couple nights in a bed and breakfast just outside of Anacortes. Miranda offered to either stay in our home with me, or for me to come bunk with her and Everett for a while. I politely declined the offer, assuring her I’d be fine by myself. Once I was done with my plate of food, I carried it to the sink and rinsed it off, and then stacked it inside the dishwasher. It was already eight o’clock so I excused myself to go nap and then prepare for the impromptu wedding.
    ***
    It had taken me awhile to wash and dry my hair and set it in hot curlers. Make-up was something I seldom wore, so I took my time with it to make sure it looked alright. I finished with light pink lipstick. Once the rollers had cooled, I unrolled them and shook my head to loosen the resulting curls. I braided two small sections on either side of my head and tied them together in the back with a small clear rubber band. It would have to do. Wrapped in a bath towel, I snuck back into my bedroom. I picked out a strapless white bra, matching panties, and an ivory sundress covered in large yellow sunflowers. I added simple pearl earrings that had belonged to my mother and white strappy sandals.
    “Hattie, you ready?” called someone from below.
    “Yeah, just a sec!”
    I walked back to the bathroom and found a large flesh-colored Band-Aid and covered the angry scratch on my arm. I took one last look in the mirror. I wasn't thrilled with my reflection. I looked okay, I supposed, but after the explosion my face still looked slightly burnt.
    “Hattie!” yelled Everett. “Speed it up, girl!”
    I rolled my eyes and moved to the hallway. At the last minute I rushed back into my bedroom and fetched the stained hoodie Saul had left with me. I bundled it beneath my elbow and hustled down the stairs.