Covered Bridge Charm Read Online Free PDF

she’d realized. That’s probably why the kiss didn’t turn out to be the joke she’d intended.
    “Oh Cocoa, what a day.” The bunny was doing its tooth purr. His gentle tooth grinding was a sign of rabbit bliss. She rubbed beside his long, lopped ear. The plump bunny was a unicorn lop with one ear up and one down. It was what had attracted her to her mixed-breed pet. He was a rescue bunny and had always been on the nippy side when he didn’t get his way.
    “Okay, lazy. Let’s get us some dinner.” There was fresh hay and a raisin treat for Cocoa and leftover spaghetti calling her name. She loved her tiny cottage, even if she was the youngest resident on the street. It met her needs. The kitchen was at one end, providing a window over the sink, which looked out at her flower bed. The one Jimmy unenthusiastically helped to create. From the window, she could watch her neighbor Imogene uncoil her gray hose and water her colorful zinnias. On hot days, she watered Carly’s garden, too. Sometimes she even refilled Carly’s hummingbird feeder.
    There was another window by a square table big enough for her pressed flower crafts and an adjoining living room with a ratty, green-and-white-striped sofa and matching armchair. The large bamboo plant was a gift from her aunt. While she couldn’t sew, Carly was great with any green living thing. Well, practically any living thing. Except men.
    Next came a hall and bathroom. Her bedroom was at the back of the cottage. The yellow quilt that graced her bed was her mother’s. She liked to think she slept inside her mother’s hug. A mother long gone, yet the quilt bridged heaven and earth. Long ago, it had helped her decide that sunny yellow was her favorite color. Mostly dressing in dark plain materials, she enjoyed her cheery room. She went with a more Conservative Mennonite traditional look in the kitchen. Same as the living room, bright green and white.
    As she washed her plate, she watched Cocoa move toward his litter box.
    Carly finished in the kitchen and started her bath. With a squirt of dishwashing detergent, the bubbles exploded, a few popping against her cheek. Instantly her mind recalled Adam’s touch, the way he’d gently tugged her hair. At that moment, his unguarded gaze had held a smolder she’d never witnessed in him. She frowned, wondering what it meant. How quickly it had been replaced with a twinkle. Then the snide remark about her stockings. Was it his way of covering his feelings? Why had he stared at her legs? She broke off her thoughts, remembering she wasn’t ready to get back into a relationship. Because of Dale, her trust toward men had been wounded. He’d chosen his career over her. Best not to think about the kiss she’d shared with Adam.
    In the upset of the day, she’d forgotten all about her volunteer program. With a sigh of comfort, she turned off the faucet and sank deep into the water. Tomorrow was Saturday. She’d go to Auntie’s and find a way to turn her grandiose idea into a viable recruitment plan. She’d been given a chance to do something great for the residents. And she wasn’t going to let them down.
    Stretching on his hind legs, Cocoa peeked over the tub to lick water droplets.
    “Hi, Sweetie. Tomorrow we’re going to Auntie’s. And while we’re there, I’ll tell her to make my new dress extra long so Adam doesn’t ogle my legs. That’ll teach him.”

    Late Saturday morning, Carly jumped off her bike and lowered the kickstand, taking a few moments to catch her breath. They’d gone the long way since Cocoa couldn’t tolerate barking dogs. It felt good to work off the adrenalin surging through her veins over Simon’s upcoming board meeting. She hoped Aunt Fannie could help her organize her frazzled thoughts into an engaging, workable plan.
    Grabbing a yellow legal pad and tiny bell—which kept Cocoa in line when away from home—she eased the rabbit out of his soft bed in the bike’s woven-reed basket. Cocoa