Love's Story Read Online Free PDF Page A

hat.”
    â€œCome along, missy. Let’s get you back to the hotel.”
    She hiked up her skirt a few inches and stomped up the hill, now oblivious to the steep incline.

Chapter 4
    T he hotel manager arranged for a hired wagon so Meredith and Jonah could move their belongings and equipment to Mrs. Cooper’s. Once they arrived, she gave them keys to their rooms.
    Meredith circled the pile of leather bags, which had been plunked down in the center of her room, wondering where to start. Mrs. Cooper gave a soft rap on her door.
    â€œCome in.”
    The landlady smoothed back several gray-streaked blond hairs. “I hope everything is satisfactory. If there is anything else I can do to make your stay more comfortable, please let me know.”
    â€œEverything is perfect.” Meredith’s eyes ran across the small window above the desk. “It seems you’ve thought of everything and arranged the room just as I would have.”
    â€œAfter so many boarders, it gets a little easier. Dinner is at six. I only do breakfast and dinner.” Meredith nodded. “I’ll just check in on Mr. Shaw, now. I need to show him the shed he’ll be using.”
    â€œPlease, tell Jonah that I’ll help him as soon as I’m finished here.”
    â€œI will.” Mrs. Cooper nodded and the stray hairs worked free again.
    Once the door had closed, Meredith unclasped the leather bags. Her clothing went into a wardrobe in hopes the wrinkles would not need to be steamed. Her hats she arranged and rearranged about the room, some on hooks by the door.
That looks cheery.
When her personal belongings were in place, she dove into the writing supplies and organized those on the desk by the window.
    She retrieved her typewriter, handling it like a piece of fine china, and positioned it in its place of honor, center front of her desk. She traced the gold ornate lettering,
The Chicago,
across the front of its black cover and inspected all of the keys and parts.
    Satisfied, she took a final inventory of the room. Her gaze lingered upon the mud-splattered green velvet and black-rimmed hat, and she crossed the room to it, plucked it off its peg, and dropped it into an empty bag. Next, she rearranged her desk. With a satisfactory nod, she pulled open the curtains above the desk. Jonah was in the backyard by the shed.
Perfect. I can see when he’s in his studio.
With a song on her lips, she closed the curtains and changed into an old gown.

    Just as she arrived at the shed’s open door, a cloud of dust accosted her. With a cough, she jumped back.
    â€œIs that you, Storm?”
    Another cough. “Yes, it is.”
    Jonah’s head peeked out, then the rest of him appeared, his hands gripping a broom handle. “Sorry about that. I didn’t know anyone was about.”
    â€œSo I see. Looks like you’re doing serious housecleaning.”
    â€œCome look,” Jonah said. “This place is going to be great.”
    He stepped back inside, and Meredith tiptoed in behind him. Cobwebs scalloped the cluttered room. “I’m glad you’re so excited. It looks like a lot of work to me.”
    â€œOh, you’re right there. Mrs. Cooper said that most of this stuff can go down to the mill. I’m going to move everything outside and let her tell me what goes and what stays. The rest she’ll take inside the house.”
    â€œWhy the mill?” Meredith asked.
    â€œDidn’t she tell you? Her late husband was a partner of Cooper’s Mill. She figures the mill’s owner can use some of this.”
    â€œReally. What can I do to help?”
    â€œHmm. Maybe you should sweep down cobwebs,” Jonah said, offering her the broom. “And I’ll start dragging these crates outside.”
    â€œDone,” Meredith said.
    By the time they had emptied the old building of every tool, bucket, boot, and fishing pole, Mrs. Cooper poked her head inside. “You’ve