Love of Her Lives Read Online Free PDF

sounded again in her ear. “Yes, but dinner will have to wait till I return. I’m at the airport now.”
    The sound of a jetliner screamed in the background in case she had any doubt. She raised her voice. “I don’t have much time to talk right now either. You wouldn’t believe what I found buried in my yard today. I’ve got to deal with it and deliver lunches.”
    “Buried in your yard? Not an old pioneer grave I hope.”
    “No, nothing like that. More like buried treasure. You can’t postpone your flight until tomorrow?”
    “I cannot, no. I’ve also arranged a meeting first thing in the morning to look at that island.”
    “The island? I’m not able to invest any more money, Matthew, I told you that. We need to get the beach house finished and put it on the market. You said this would be a quick renovation.” If she didn’t sell the beach house in the next four months, how would she fund the master’s program she’d been accepted into?
    “It’s all under control. I’ll be back on Thursday and will arrive at your place at six.”
    Distracted by the horrors of substandard flooring, Matthew would focus on nothing else until he returned from Belize. She slumped onto the kitchen chair and dispatched a groan in the mouthpiece that challenged the roar of any 747. “Fine. I’m going to deal with my buried treasure by doing a good deed, then go to my class this afternoon.” And shop for our break–up dinner Thursday night. “Phone me for an update when you get a chance.”
    “That’s my good–deed girl. Listen, I’ve been shopping, sweetheart, in a jewelry store. I have something important to ask you on Thursday, so don’t you worry, I’ll be there.”
    What? A jewelry store? Something important? She nearly dropped the phone, but managed to snatch it up before it careened off her thigh.
    “I’m at the terminal. I’ll call you tonight at nine. Gotta go now. I’ve got another call coming in.”
    She pulled away from the phone feeling like a dog fighting against a leash. Did he even ask if she’d be available at nine? Funny how the qualities that drew her to Matthew in the beginning had morphed into intolerable traits. She cleared her throat. “Tell Maria I hope her mom recovers quickly.” At least he was efficient. She said goodbye and hung up the phone.
    Thirty minutes later, Beth had picked up her lunches from Meals on the Move and driven to Mrs. Miller’s house. She shifted the cash–filled tote bag onto her shoulder as she stood on the front porch feeling the warmth of the boxed lunch in her hand. Mrs. Miller usually left the door unlocked at lunch time.
    The door didn’t give way when Beth turned the knob. Worry for the family tightened her chest, then eased off when she heard a familiar voice from inside the house.
    “I’m not fast, but I’m a–coming. The legs aren’t so good today.” Mrs. Miller’s head popped out behind the curtain at the window. A smile of recognition bunched like pleats around her eyes before the door opened. “Oh my, Beth, you do make me laugh — you and your hats. What do you have on your head today?”
    Beth smiled and patted her fedora. “It’s a giraffe print. Don’t you love it? I’d be happy to pick one up for you.”
    Mrs. Miller shifted her walker back with a thunk . “Ha! That’s not a bad idea. For Janine, though, not for me. She needs something to smile about.”
    A glance through the house revealed no sign of Janine. “Is your granddaughter home?”
    “Not at the moment, no. She’s gone to see about a college course, so she can survive on her own. She doesn’t want to stay here and be a bother to me, at least that’s what she says, but I think she’s worried for my safety. I don’t know how she’ll afford to go to school and not live here.”
    The thought of harm coming to Mrs. Miller gave Beth a shudder. “Sometimes things have a way of working out. I hate to see you upset, Mrs. Miller. Why don’t you sit down in the living