Change of Heart Read Online Free PDF Page A

am sorry to bother you on your day off, but may I show you the rip in my dress? I found it when I left the general store.”
    â€œPlease come in.” She glanced over her shoulder. “Becca, you and Margaret visit while I take care of Mrs. Sanderson.”
    Becca liked the older woman on sight. She had her gray hair wound in a bun and spectacles perched on her nose. She represented the perfect picture of a grandmother. “It’s a pleasure to meet you. I appreciate all you have done for my sister.”
    â€œI am a widow and alone. My husband died last year. We did not have any children. Ruth is like a daughter to me.” She lowered her voice to a whisper. “From what I have heard your sister has blossomed since you have been staying with her. She misses Caleb, and it broke her heart to lose him. She has never gotten over it. She confides in me about this often. She is excited and happy you are here. You are like a bright ray of sunshine in her life.”
    Ruth finished with Mrs. Sanderson and joined Becca and Margaret. “Come and sit with me at the drawing table. I will show you a dress in Godey’s Lady’s Book similar to the one I am designing. Margaret, I found a dress in the catalog I would like to make for you. I will point it out to you.” She flipped through the pages of the book.
    Margaret’s eyes brightened. “I like the green one you picked out for me. I would love it if you would make it for me.”
    â€œI will draw a pattern for it tomorrow.” She patted Becca’s hand. “Is there anything you would like me to make for you?”
    Becca shook her head. “No thank you. Not yet.” She glanced at the pages with Margaret and Ruth. She liked a lot of the dresses offered in Godey’s Lady’s Book, but she wanted to wait a little longer before trying on one of Ruth’s dresses or having her make her one. She was comfortable in her plain clothes. It was a part of her past she wasn’t ready to let go of yet.
    An hour later, Margaret yawned and stretched her arms. “I would love to talk more, but I must finish my mending. If I do not, I will be behind in my work for the rest of the week.”
    Ruth closed the book. “It is getting late in the afternoon. We better head home.” Ruth and Becca hugged her friend and left.
    Walking past the many shops and restaurants on Main Street, Becca pondered what Margaret had told her about Ruth since Caleb’s death. Her sister hadn’t indicated her sadness in the letters she sent. Since Becca had been here, they had laughed, stayed up late and chatted, worshipped in Ruth’s church, and enjoyed picnics, shopping, and dining together. She had enjoyed herself. She had no doubt Ruth had too. She couldn’t imagine leaving her sister to go home.
    What did the future hold for her and Matt? She must find out. She had grown roots in Massillon. She couldn’t go back to her old life and be happy. Yes, she would tell her parents and Grace she had chosen to make a life in Massillon soon. Ruth’s voice jerked her out of her thoughts.
    â€œMatt is sitting by the window at Lizzie’s. No one is with him. I am hungry. We should join him.” Ruth hurried to the restaurant.
    Good idea. Becca followed her sister. She pushed returning to Berlin to talk to her parents out of her mind.
    As soon as they walked through the door, Matt stood and beckoned to them. “Come and sit with me.”
    Dishes clanged and patrons’ conversations buzzed. Becca and Ruth squeezed through the narrow pathway between chairs to Matt’s table.
    Always the gentleman, Matt seated them before he sat.
    Lizzie removed a pencil from behind her ear. She blew a strawberry blond hair from her ruddy face. “Becca, you’ve ordered chicken and dumplings every time you’ve come in. Are you ordering it today?” Hands on her hips, she cocked her head.
    â€œYes. Did you bake any cobbler