Molly Read Online Free PDF Page A

the...”
    “Association with artists has added a new
dimension to your character, my dear.” Laughing, he kissed her on
the cheek.
    “I love you, Daddy.”
    “I’ve always known that.”
    “Yes. But I want you to hear it, as well.”
She put her arms around him and laid her head on his shoulder.
“Daddy, I’m going to do everything in my power to see that you’re
happy.”
    Straightening, she stared over his head at
the chinaberry tree. Its branches were swaying gently in the
breeze, whispering the secrets of her childhood. After her mother
had died, struck down by cancer at the age of twenty-eight, Molly
had retreated to the shelter of another chinaberry tree—one on her
grandparent’s farm. In the swaying of the leaves and the sighing of
the gentle breezes, she had heard her mother’s voice. Or perhaps at
that moment of her greatest need, the tree itself had come alive to
comfort her. Or maybe God had given her heightened perception to
help her get through the bad times. Whatever the magic, Molly had
never forgotten the lesson.
There are no guarantees,
Molly,
the voice had said.
Connections can be broken. Live
life to the fullest.
    She had been only eight at the time, but she
had never forgotten the lesson.
    Each day was a priceless gift, especially to
somebody as old as her daddy. If he wanted to risk another
connection with Glory Ethel, she’d see that he got her, and nothing
would stand in the way. Certainly not Samuel Adams.
    o0o
    Molly helped her daddy get the house ready
for the dinner party. They had both decided a candle-lit dinner at
home would be cozier than going to a restaurant. Besides, it would
allow them more privacy, more time to get to know one another.
    Molly picked fresh flowers from the
yard—fragrant gardenias from the large bush on the north side of
the house, roses from the rampant vines that climbed the backyard
fence, and Queen Anne’s lace that formed a border between their
yard and the next-door neighbor. With an artist’s eye, she arranged
the flowers and scattered them throughout the house so that they
looked as if they might have sprung up on their own in the nooks
and crannies of the 1930s house.
    “That looks lovely, Molly.” Her daddy her
hand and spun her around. “And so do you. Like a moonbeam.”
    Molly laughed and straightened his tie. “We
want to impress this woman, don’t we?”
    “Absolutely.” He was thoughtful for a moment,
gazing into space, looking back in time. “You know, Molly, when I
first started this online correspondence I didn’t have any plans
for romance. I was just lonely.”
    “I know, Daddy. And I’m sorry.”
    “It’s not your fault, baby. You have your
career, and I’m proud of that. That’s the way it should be.” He
brushed a piece of lint off his sleeve. “When I first heard from
Glory Ethel, I knew she was a special woman, someone I could enjoy.
We’ve been exchanging letters and emails for a little over a year
now, and I feel as if I’ve known her all my life.” He gave his
daughter a serious look. “I really think the time is right for both
of us, Molly.”
    “You have my full support, Daddy. And Bea’s
too. She’s as tickled as I am.”
    “Good. Then you won’t mind doing a little
thing for me, will you?”
    His devilish grin made her suspicious.
    “Daddy, what are you up to?”
    “Nothing. I just thought a little
entertainment might be nice.”
    “I agree. Does she like the oldies or
something more modern?”
    “I was thinking of live entertainment.”
    “Now, Daddy…”
    “I want Glory Ethel to see what a talented
daughter I have. And besides that, she’ll be tickled to death.”
    Molly hesitated only a moment, but there was
never any doubt in her mind that she would give in to her father’s
request. She could never deny him anything.
    “Well, why not? I might just unbend a
steel-plated tyrant.”
    She hurried to her room to make sure she had
everything she needed for the entertainment.
    o0o
    “How do I