Nephew's Wife, The Read Online Free PDF

since this morning.”  Years had shed from Dolly’s face in that short time.
    “I’m sorry for the breakdown, Dolly,” Ellen apologized.  “I won’t let that happen again.”
    “You cry around me all you want, dear,” Dolly replied in spirited fashion.  “I wasn’t thinking about that anyway.”
    Ellen looked puzzled.
    “I think you need a makeover,” Dolly declared, excitedly.
    Ellen reared back, stunned by Dolly’s boldness. 
    “Don’t be insulted, child.” Dolly smiled. “You’re a natural beauty, but that long hair just drags down your tiny face. A shorter, lighter style would enhance your lovely eyes and high cheekbones. And your clothes are nothing but rags.  A girl with your figure and olive complexion should have a more flattering wardrobe.”
    Ellen wasn’t offended.  She’d dreamed of changing her looks and buying new clothes once Paul had passed away as a step toward moving on, but she had neither the chance nor the finances.  She’d been so busy lately, mostly hiding from obnoxious reporters, anxious to get the latest on her.
    “Rand gave me an advance—” Ellen froze when she saw the shock on Dolly’s face.  “What, Dolly?”
    “You called him Rand.”
    “He told me to. Is it being disrespectful?”
    Dolly smiled. “No, no, child, you’re not being disrespectful. Rand never allowed the others to be so informal. This is a first.  He absolutely fumed when the other three companions called him by his first name.”
    “What were they like, Dolly?  I don’t want to repeat their mistakes.”
    “Don’t worry, you won’t.  Randolph trusts you or he wouldn’t be so casual.  He doesn’t trust women these days.  Not after the fiasco with his fiancée. She left him two weeks before their wedding.  The ordeal was so heartbreaking for him. He won’t even think of dating again.”
    Ellen dropped her gaze. At least he’s still alive.
    “Maybe he just needs to find the right person.” She glanced up.
    “I pray he does and soon.” Dolly sighed as if she’d spoken these words time and time again.  “He’s thirty-five . A man his age should have a family. He’d make a good husband and father.”  Dolly pursed her lips in frustration.  “He’s so stubborn.  He won’t even date the women at church, and there are plenty who would go out with him in a heartbeat.”
    Ellen wondered what it would be like to truly love someone like Rand Powers or anyone for that matter.  What she’d felt for Paul hadn’t been love.  It’d been infatuation.  He’d promised her so much that she’d gotten carried away by the fantasy of a prosperous lifestyle.  Paul had been so materialistic.  Possessions mattered to him, and Ellen had been one of them.  When it had come down to it, Ellen hadn’t wanted that kind of life. Through prayer, God had led her to the conclusion Paul was not right for her.  Their marriage would not have succeeded, and she would have been miserable.
    “Ellen. Ellen, dear.”  Dolly’s soft voice broke into Ellen’s woolgathering.
    “I’m sorry, Dolly.” Ellen cleared her head.
    Dolly slumped. “I’ve been so insensitive, talking about Rand and his love life when you’ve just buried your fiancé.  I’m the one who’s sorry.”
    Dolly’s regret made Ellen’s heart churn with guilt.  Her life was a lie. She was a fraud. Everyone admired her for being so faithful and devoted to Paul, but she knew better, and the secret was slowly killing her. 
    “You’ve gone pale, Ellen. Are you alright?”
    Ellen nodded.  “I’m fine, Dolly.”
                  “It’s going to take a while to get over that kind of loss.” Dolly gazed lovingly at a photo of a man on her bedside table.  “When my Harold died, Randolph’s uncle, I grieved for years.  No one could ever replace him.  I never remarried. I spent the rest of my life, looking after Randolph.”  She turned to Ellen. “You’re young, Ellen. Your heart will mend in time. The