Family in His Heart Read Online Free PDF

final sip of coffee, Nick closed his eyes, mulling over possibilities. He had batted zero finding a housekeeper. He just needed to be direct and see if Rona would be interested. At least he’d have one thing off his mind if she accepted.

    Rona shifted in the comfy chair, feeling good to be here again in the Bailey’s cozy home.
    “For a minute there, I didn’t recognize your name when you called.” The elderly woman grinned. “But then I remembered you were the little blond girl with straight hair and bangs.”
    Straight hair and bangs. Memories swept over Rona. “That was me.” Her mind flew back to her skinny legs and scrawny body. She’d hated it then, but she looked at her rounder figure now and wished she had a little of that thinness today.
    “You visited a few times with Janie, I remember.”
    A few times. Yes, and the trips had always been such a wonderful reprieve from her difficult childhood. The Bailey house brimmed with sunshine, smiles and a cozy comfort she’d never known at home. Her mother tried, but her father had dashed all attempts to the ground.
    “At least that’s what I recall,” Mrs. Bailey said as if questioning her own recollections.
    Rona swallowed her memories. “You’re right, Mrs. Bailey. I visited numerous times. I haven’t seen Janie in years. I hope she’s well.”
    “She’s fine. Lives in California with her husband and three children. Sweet kids.”
    Husband and three kids. California. “That’s great.” Envy prickled along Rona’s neck, thinking of friends happily married with kids. Kids she’d never have.
    “I’m so glad you called tonight. There’s nothing good on TV on Mondays.”
    Rona held back a laugh. “I’m not sure any night is good, especially trying to watch anything on the motel’s TV.”
    Mrs. Bailey leaned closer. “Where are you staying?”
    “Up the road. Some small cabins.”
    She nodded.
    Rona wondered if she had heard her. “Just up the road,” she said, raising her volume.
    “Those small cabins?”
    “That’s right.” She’d wondered why sometimes the woman had given her a blank look. Now she knew.
    “How long are you visiting?”
    She’d told her earlier. Rona cranked up her volume. “I’m planning to stay for a while. Settle down here, I think.”
    Her eyes brightened. “Really?” She cocked her head as if thinking. “You’ll have to drop by now and again. I don’t have lots of visitors nowadays since Sam’s gone.”
    “I was sorry to hear about his passing.”
    Greeted by another blank stare, Rona repeated herself, this time, louder.
    “Yes, it’s been a little over a year since Sam died.” She looked across the room a moment and Rona followed her gaze but didn’t see anything particular that had drawn her attention. “Hard to believe he’s gone, except it’s lonely.”
    Lonely. Rona knew that word well. “I’m sure it is. I’d be happy to stop by when I can.”
    Mrs. Bailey perked up. “Good. I’ll make cookies.”
    Sadness swept over Rona. She’d felt lonely when her mother died, but she’d built up a wall to protect herself. But recently that protection had failed and the same hollow feeling seemed to overwhelm her again at times.
    “Are you retired?” She leaned back, her mind seeming to drift.
    Don’t I wish. But when the question struck Rona, she closed her jaw and wondered if she looked that old. “I’m too young to retire. I found—”
    The elderly woman’s eyes widened. “What was I thinking?” She shook her head. “I know you’re a young woman. Sometimes my mouth doesn’t check in with my brain.”
    This time Rona laughed out loud. “That’s okay. Mine doesn’t either. I found a job in Hessel this afternoon at the Harbor Inn.” She told the woman what had happened.
    “Doesn’t the Lord provide when we need Him?”
    The Lord? Rona figured it had been her quick decision and downright luck.
    “Do you have friends here?”
    Friends. Rona’s shoulders lifted in a sigh. “Not