Debbie Macomber Read Online Free PDF Page A

enjoy the day with my grandkids—speaking of which, when can I expect more?”
    Beth was amused by the transition from dinner to her absent love life in one easy breath. “Probably never.”
    â€œMarybeth!” She seemed horrified at the prospect. “You’re a beautiful woman. You need to put your divorce behind you and move on with your life. You know John has, and more power to him.”
    Mentioning the fact that her ex-husband had remarried was a low blow.
    Lisa Carroll, a college friend of Beth’s—correction, acquaintance, and an un friendly one at that—had gleefully shared the news of John’s marriage a couple of summers ago. Beth had taken it hard, although they’d been divorced for seven years by then. John was perfectly free to try his hand at married life a second time. She was happy for him. Thrilled, even.
    That was what she’d tried to tell herself, but it didn’t explain the depression she’d sunk into afterward. For weeks she was weepy and miserable. In the back of her mind, she’d held out hope that one day John would return to her. It was an utterly outlandish notion, wholly unrealistic.
    â€œI should never have told you John got married again,” she said, unable to disguise the pain of her mother’s words.
    â€œI’m sorry, dear. But you do need to move on. I was in church this week and I lit a candle for you. I asked God to send someone special into your life and I feel sure He’ll answer my prayer.”
    â€œYou lit a candle on my behalf?”
    â€œI always do when I have a special prayer.”
    Beth rolled her eyes. “You asked God to send me a husband?” She couldn’t believe her mother would do this.
    â€œDon’t make it sound like I signed you up for a dating service.”
    â€œThat’s not what I meant.”
    â€œIsn’t there anyone who interests you?” Joyce pleaded.
    The desperation in her mother’s voice made Beth uncomfortable. “Not really,” she murmured.
    â€œSomeone at work?”
    â€œNo.” Beth most emphatically did not want an office romance. She’d seen a couple of those go sour. After the last one, between a legal secretary and one of the partners, the law firm had set a policy against the practice of dating within the office. Which was fine with Beth, since she happened to enjoy her job and had no intention of risking dismissal.
    Her gaze drifted toward the computer screen. “Well, there’s someone I met recently….”
    â€œThere is?” Hope flared instantly.
    You’d think Beth had just announced that she’d set her wedding date.
    â€œWe met on WoW.”
    â€œThat ridiculous game?”
    â€œYes, Mom. I found out he lives in Seattle.”
    â€œWhat’s his name?”
    â€œPeter.”
    â€œInvite him to Christmas dinner,” Joyce said promptly. “I’ll do the full meal. Forget the potluck. I’ll entice him with my cooking—and I promise to teach you how. You know what they say about the way to a man’s heart.”
    â€œMom!”
    â€œI used to be scornful of those old wives’ tales, too,” her mother continued undaunted, “but so many of them are true. Now, don’t worry, I’ll downplay the fact that you don’t cook. Leave everything to me.” Her mother didn’t even attempt to hide her delight.
    â€œMother, no!” Good grief, for all she knew, Peter was married. She didn’t dare ask for fear he’d assume she was interested. All right, she was interested, but only because her mother had forced her into it.
    â€œYou’ve got one week to ask him.”
    â€œMother!”
    â€œI insist.”
    Beth closed her eyes and before she could protest further, Joyce disconnected the line. Sighing, Beth hung up the phone. It was either arrive on Christmas Day with a man or disappoint her mother. She sighed again as she recalled that