Love Finds a Home (Love Comes Softly Series #8) Read Online Free PDF Page A

packing done?" Mrs. Stafford-Smyth asked.
    Belinda was surprised at the question but shook her head. "It won't take me long," she assured her.
    Mrs. Stafford-Smyth looked a bit alarmed. "Don't short you-ahself on time," she said anxiously. "The train leaves at ten."
    "My train doesn't leave until four," Belinda responded. She had already made the arrangements and purchased her ticket, but at her answer Mrs. Stafford-Smyth stopped midstride, her head quickly coming around to stare at Belinda.
    "Whatevah do you mean?" she asked sharply.
    Belinda began to flush. It was true she hadn't asked her employer's permission. She had meant to talk to her about it, but they had just been so busy there had never seemed to be time. Surely the woman hadn't expected her to stay and care for the house. There was Windsor and Potter and the maids. Mrs. Stafford-Smyth had never before left anyone else to oversee the staff when she had traveled. Belinda had just assumed she would not be needed. But she had been wrong to assume. She should have asked permission before getting her ticket. After all, she was in the employ--
    "What do you mean?" Mrs. Stafford-Smyth asked again.
    "Oh, Aunt Virgie," began Belinda apologetically. "I'm sorry. I just wasn't thinking. I guess I've been in such a dither. I should have asked you. I didn't realize you expected me to stay on here and--"
    "Stay on heah? Well, of course not. I expect you to accompany me--to New Yawk."
    "Accompany you?" echoed Belinda dumbly
    Mrs. Stafford-Smyth looked shaken. "Of course."
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    "But . . . but you didn't say . . . say anything about me going with you," Belinda reminded the older woman.
    "I didn't?" Mrs. Stafford-Smyth looked bewildered. "Maybe I didn't. I guess . . . I guess I didn't think that it . . . that anything else would be considered. I just expected you to know. Careless of me. Dreadfully careless."
    Belinda felt her heart pounding.
    "Well, no mattah," went on the woman. "There is still time for you to get ready. I'll call Ella to help you pack," and Mrs. Stafford-Smyth moved toward the bell.
    "But . . ." stammered Belinda. "But I've . . . I've made other plans."
    Mrs. Stafford-Smyth stopped with her hand on the buzzer. "You. . . you. . . What plans?" she asked simply.
    "I've . . . I've purchased a ticket . . . a train ticket for home," Belinda managed.
    Mrs. Stafford-Smyth lowered herself into a nearby chair. "I see," she said slowly.
    Belinda rushed to her and knelt beside her. "I really didn't know you expected me to go with you. I thought . . . I thought it was just you and Aunt Celia. I didn't know there was room for more guests than that. So I decided it was a good time for me to . . . to go home for a visit. I'm sorry. I didn't think you'd mind."
    Mrs. Stafford-Smyth was pale. Her hand trembled as she reached out to smooth back Belinda's wayward curls.
    "You'll. . . you won't stay home, will you?" she asked shakily.
    "Oh no," promised Belinda quickly. "I just plan to be gone for as long as you'll be away"
    Mrs. Stafford-Smyth took a deep breath. "My goodness, child," she said with a nervous laugh. "You nigh scared the breath out of me."
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    "You didn't think. . . ?" began Belinda, but she realized that it was exactly what Mrs. Stafford-Smyth had thought. Seeing the color gradually return to the older woman's face, Belinda realized just how much it meant to her to have Belinda's company here in the big, lonely house.
    And with that realization Belinda knew she could never, never just walk out and leave the woman all alone. The thought sent a chill through her body. She loved Mrs. Stafford-Smyth dearly. The older woman was like the grandmother she had never had the chance to know. But to stay with her indefinitely at the expense of never being with the family she loved was a terrible commitment. Belinda didn't know if she could bear it, if she could really be that unselfish.
    "You poor child," Mrs. Stafford-Smyth was crooning softly, her hands again smoothing back