One Shenandoah Winter Read Online Free PDF

than they look.” Clearly he knew where this conversation was headed. Even so, he reluctantly agreed. “But yes, it is a distinct possibility.”
    Brian nodded slowly, hollowed by the news and how close they had come to another nightmare. All he said was, “Then you see our town’s desperate need.”
    Nathan Reynolds seemed exasperated by the discussion. He opened his mouth, snapped it shut, and searched the yard with angry eyes. Then his gaze fastened upon Connie’s truck. He swiveled back to glare at her and assert, “Allowing a vehicle like that to deteriorate is an absolute crime. But having seen the state of your clinic, I guess I shouldn’t be surprised.”
    Before she could recover and form the words boiling up with her ire, he had stomped to his car. Nathan Reynolds departed in a cloud of angry dust and scattered gravel.
    Sadie Blackstone stepped up beside her, and said quietly, “A miracle.”

Four
    W hen Connie pulled up in front of the grocery that afternoon, she found Dawn waiting with her mother. Hattie Campbell opened the door and asked, “Mind if I come along?”
    â€œHop on in.”
    â€œI haven’t seen Poppa Joe in weeks.” Hattie lifted three big sacks of groceries into the back, then climbed in after her daughter and demanded, “So how’s the new fellow?”
    â€œHe’s a doctor to his bones.” Connie had already decided that a diplomatic approach was required for such queries. Let the town find out for themselves. If he stayed around. “A one hundred percent, pure-bred, citified doctor.”
    â€œThat bad, huh?” But Hattie was smiling. And her smile was what she shared most with her daughter. That and their love of life. “I heard there was a little set-to in the clinic this morning.”
    Connie had to slow the truck and stare. Dawn let go with a giggle.
    â€œNot to mention a little miracle-working over at Reverend Blackstone’s place,” Hattie went on.
    â€œI am constantly amazed,” Connie declared. “Not even light can travel as fast as a rumor in this town.”
    Hattie settled back, satisfied. Her reddish brown hair was two shades darker than Connie’s and cut very short, making her jawline appear even sharper than it was. Her nose was narrow and long, her lips a quick red slit pressed constantly into a half-formed smile. Her brown eyes had the penetrating stare of one amply bestowed with common sense.
    She could not have looked any more different from her daughter. Hattie Campbell had the high cheekbones and warm skin tones that suggested a touch of Indian blood. When Hattie was growing up, this had been a mark of shame. The unmistakable taint had deepened her already quiet nature. Hattie was a reserved woman with all save those she knew and trusted. With friends, however, her quick wit and happy nature bubbled forth. Connie had considered Hattie Campbell a treasure since early childhood. One so precious that not even having Hattie land her man could shatter their closeness.
    Dawn asked, “Is he really going to make that Blackstone baby stop wailing?”
    â€œHe might,” Connie allowed. “He might at that.”
    â€œSo he’s a good doctor and a bad person,” Hattie offered from her side of truck.
    â€œHe’s got all the charm of a skunk,” Connie agreed.
    â€œA skunk with a bellyache. Somebody who smells bad and acts worse,” Dawn chimed in. “That’s what Poppa Joe would say.”
    â€œNow there’s a thought,” Hattie said. “Maybe you ought to bring those two together.”
    â€œNot a chance,” Connie replied. But in truth she was caught by the idea, for reasons she could not fathom. “It took almost three years to get us a doctor. I don’t want to lose him the first afternoon.”
    Conversation was cut off by their leaving the rural road for the long rutted track leading up to Wilkes