One Lavender Ribbon Read Online Free PDF Page B

take the boat out alone?”
    Pops brushed at the sides of his pants. “It was just a little trip down the canal.”
    “Pops, next time I’ll go with you.” Will studied his grandfather’s face. “I’m just trying to protect—”
    Pops’s sigh cut him off. “I know, protect me. A man who jumped from airplanes during a war, and I need to be protected from slippery grass.”
    “You’d do the same for me. Now, go water that garden.”
    Pops nodded. “Right after I change into shorts.” With a spring in his step, he headed out of the room, pausing in the doorway.
    Will glanced over, wondering what stopped his grandfather’s momentum.
    Without looking back, Pops said, “Love you, boy.”
    Will squeezed his eyes shut. All that had gone unsaid over the years about Pops and his war filled the space around Will’s heart and filled the room around both men. Will closed the distance. He didn’t trust his voice to speak without shattering, so he placed a solid hand on each of Pops’s shoulders.
    A gentle squeeze created the slightest of tremors through Pops. Pops knew Will was all he had.
    Head held high, he stepped away from his grandson and was whistling a tune before he reached the stairs. Through the window, the sun kissed Will’s face.

W ar was horrific, Adrienne decided, and tried to imagine what it would be like to have someone die right in front of her. Not once, but over and over again. William’s letters were changing her. Altering something deep within. And she was starting to wonder if it wasn’t a good thing. This— this was real life. This was the sacrifice men had made so she could sit around and complain about being lonely or hide in a dilapidated house where the only conversation came from her and the less-than-perfect plumbing. People should live the very best life possible. Too many had died so that others could.
    But the letters weren’t all about the horrors of war. They were about Gracie and William’s undying love. All this she’d learned from reading only a few. He also spoke about Sara, Gracie’s younger sister. From all Adrienne gathered, the young girl found trouble around every corner. He talked about Sara getting lost in the dark and stumbling into the neighbor’s chicken coop, waking half the town. She’d escaped with her life, but not her dignity. He told the other soldiers about it, and they spent the evening sharing embarrassing stories and laughing harder than they’d thought possible in the middle of a war. Tell Sara thank you, he said, I knew she wouldn’t mind me exposing her secret. If there’s anything I know about sweet Sara, it’s that if she can bring a much-needed smile to another soul, she will. No matter what the cost.
    It was almost noon before Adrienne dressed. She tugged the heavy mahogany front door open and surveyed the world. Yep, another sunny day in paradise. She headed out the door, photo and one of the letters in hand. She could use the advice of a best friend right now. With the windows down, she drove to Sammie’s coffee shop, listening to an indie rock station.
    The coffee shop was bustling with customers. She couldn’t have come at a worse time of day. Sammie was behind the counter, taking an order from a young man. Then she ladled up a bowl of soup. She glanced over her shoulder and threw Adrienne a quick smile.
    The scent of espresso and homemade stew floated on the air. Chatter from table after table of people surrounded her. The guy took his food and turned directly to her, giving her a long appreciative stare. Adrienne stepped aside so he could get by. He brushed against her as he passed, going out of his way to make contact. Things like that happened to her sometimes, men trying to catch her attention. Since the divorce, she’d had to remind herself, it was okay for someone to find you attractive. She ordered a latte and stood aside while Sammie made it.
    Sammie was a tall woman, nearly six feet, and towered over Adrienne’s