Her Mother's Daughter Read Online Free PDF Page B

down the street before remembering she didn’t have any milk, and tea without milk was a sad thing. She opened the door of one of the local shops and headed right for the cooler. With two cartons of 1 percent milk in her arms, she waited impatiently for Dolena Bagnell to hurry up and find the correct coins in her change purse. She knew she was in for a long wait. Dolena was as blind as a bat.
    â€œI can’t seem to find another nickel,” Dolena told the bored teenager behind the counter.
    Bay searched her pockets and found one. “Here, Dolena, take this.”
    Dolena waved her off. “No, dear, I’m fine. I won’t be but a moment.”
    The teenager and Bay looked at each other in misery. There was nothing for it. Dolena would not be moved until she found her nickel. As she fumbled around pushing aside change she spoke up.
    â€œDid any of you see that movie star drive down the street this afternoon?”
    The bored teenager perked up. “Movie star?”
    It sometimes happened that the odd famous person was seen walking or driving around; Louisbourg was a tourist town, famous for its historic fortress.
    â€œOh yes, I’m sure of it. Beautiful, she was.”
    â€œWho was it?” Bay asked, since she had nothing else to do.
    â€œOh, I’m sure it was that one who was in that movie…oh, what’s the name of it…you know the one I mean.”
    â€œAh, no. I can’t say I do.”
    â€œShe’s blonde…”
    The teenager shouted, “Reese Witherspoon?”
    Dolena looked puzzled. “Who?”
    â€œKirsten Dunst?”
    â€œDunst?”
    â€œNever mind, Dolena,” Bay almost shouted. She looked at the clerk. “Can you put this on my bill instead?”
    â€œSure.”
    Bay headed for the door. That’s when Dolena remembered. “Grace Kelly.”
    Bay turned around. “Grace Kelly is dead.”
    â€œWell, it looked like her, back in the days before she married that foreigner. Driving down the street in her fancy car, she was.”
    â€œYou don’t say.” Bay hurried outside and kept going. As she neared her street she passed Eldon, an old widower who liked to carve rough little animals out of wood, paint them bright colours, and sell them to unsuspecting tourists as real folk art.
    â€œHi, Eldon.”
    â€œWhat’s goin’ on, girl?”
    â€œNot much.” She didn’t want to stay and chat. “Sorry El, gotta run. I’m having company for supper.”
    â€œThey’ve already arrived, I’m afraid.”
    She stopped. “What do you mean?”
    â€œI mean there’s a big fancy car in your driveway.”
    â€œReally?”
    â€œYep.”
    â€œI better go see.” She left Eldon behind. She couldn’t for the life of her figure out who it might be. Gertie drove a Dodge Shadow. As Bay got closer she saw the beautiful sleek silver car and despite her curiosity her steps slowed down the closer she got to it. She wasn’t sure why. It was a feeling. Her heart started to pound and her mind went blank.
    It couldn’t be.
    She started up the back steps and that’s when Flo poked her head out of her kitchen window. “As I live and breathe, you’ll never guess who’s back.”
    No.
    Bay looked through the screen door. Ashley sat at one end of the table looking happy and almost in awe. A beautiful woman sat opposite her. They were laughing together and both turned when they heard the door open. Bay stood there and held the heavy plastic bag down by her side.
    Ashley couldn’t contain her excitement. “Mom, look who’s here.”
    Tansy stood and faced Bay. “Hi, Sis.”
    Bay couldn’t find her voice.
    â€œAren’t you glad to see me?”
    Bay dropped her bag onto the counter. “Of course, how are you?”
    The sisters gave each other a brief hug and stood awkwardly for a moment. Ashley broke the