Jodie's Song Read Online Free PDF Page A

continued on, exploring a batch of petunias. “I want to keep my eyes on the prize—Ryne, and the life we’ll share. Don’t get me wrong, exchanging our vows will be incredible, but I’ll be glad when life returns to normal and we can just…I don’t know…find our way together.”
    “I love that attitude.”
    Kaci fingered a wisp of hair into place behind her ear. “Thanks. When I told Ryne we were shopping together today, he mentioned he knew you way back when—by acquaintance, anyway. You grew up in Angel Falls, right?”
    “Yep. My dad still lives here, which is why I’ve returned.”
    “Are you married? Have you ever had to endure this kind of chaos?”
    Kaci’s question was friendly and warm, nothing more than a straightforward means by which to become friends. Still, tell-tale warmth flooded Jodie’s system, building fast on the shyness she felt at the direction of their chat. Her discomfort grew when, from the corner of her eye, she saw that Kevin had given up plant scanning for the time being and focused on their conversation instead. She tried to ignore Kevin and respond to Kaci. “No, I’m not. The job I used to hold in Dallas wasn’t very conducive to relationships.”
    Kaci turned from the display of white verbena she had been admiring and focused on Jodie. “That’s not good.”
    “You’re right, and I’m already finding that out. I’m afraid I’ve become a bit of a recluse. My old work shift meant I was awake while the world was asleep; then, while I slept, the world passed me by. I loved the work, but I don’t like the way I was starting to become so withdrawn.” Kaci lifted a flat of verbena and settled it on their long dolly, her head tilted while she listened, and Jodie was surprised to discover she longed to be revealed. “I’m hoping that’ll change now that I’m working in a smaller market and can live by a more reasonable schedule.”
    “I’m sure it will. Plus, look at it this way, maybe that’s part of God’s purpose in leading you back to Angel Falls.”
    The way Kaci brightened, the absolute trust and conviction she displayed, took Jodie back to the days of not so long ago when her faith had played through her life in symphonies of joy rather than tired refrains and spiritual discord.
    “I’m trying to believe that’s the case. Time will tell, right?”
    After swiping her hands against her jeans, Kaci cast a nod toward Kevin. “Absolutely. And, as you can tell, the folks at Heart’s Haven are like extended family. We look out for each other and have become great friends. You seem to have already been welcomed with open arms.” She gave Kevin a cheeky grin. “Or, should I say, open wings .”
    Jodie added a supply of fertilizer to their steadily growing pile. “Wings?”
    Kevin chuckled and reached to help her heft a sizeable bag of top soil. Their eyes tagged. Held. Warmth spread against her arms and legs, accompanied by enlivening sparkles of…yes…she had to admit it…attraction.
    “Angel wings.” His answer drew her attention. “Folks around these parts seem to believe there’s an army of heavenly spirits that inhabit the place you now call home. I’ll fill you in on that particular phenomenon tomorrow while we put all these plants in the ground.”
    Kaci picked up the conversation, doing a remarkable job of ignoring Jodie’s wide-eyed surprise, continuing. “Kevin’s in charge of the grounds keeping at Heart’s Haven, of course, but Madison Harper, a family friend of the Harts, is helping Mr. Hart with some plantings around the complex itself. That leaves you and Kevin as the lead team in charge of the area where Ryne and I will exchange our vows.”
    The ceremony sounded so romantic, and fun. Plus, the team spirit and loving atmosphere of Heart’s Haven brought an aura of hope to bloom around Jodie’s return home. Yes, her first responsibility was to her dad; still…what could be wrong with firming her resolve to engage in life fully once