Paradise Falls Read Online Free PDF

here. We’re simple farm people. Live simple. Eat simple.” She pointed with her spoon. “Broderick, our new teacher, Fiona Downey.”
    Fiona walked to the head of the table where a handsome, white-haired man sat, with Grayson close beside him. “Hello, Mr. Haydn. It’s very nice meeting you. I’m grateful that you and your wife are willing to share your home with me.”
    With Grayson’s help the older man extended his hand and she shook it. One side of his face curved upward in a smile, while the other side remained immobile, giving him a bizarre, lopsided appearance.
    She recognized the symptoms of stroke. Her father’s best friend, Professor Ian Goodenough, had suffered such a misfortune. She and Da had visited him weekly until he’d left Bennett to live with his married daughter in Boston.
    “Are you a good teacher?” His words were oddly slurred, since only one side of his mouth worked properly.
    “Oh, I do hope so. Only time will tell. This is my first teaching assignment.”
    That brought another sniff of displeasure from Rose, who set a pot of stew in the middle of the table before taking her seat at the opposite end. She pointed to the chair that had been added beside Fleming’s. “You sit there.”
    Fleming shot her a grin, putting her at ease as she sat.
    Rose filled her own bowl first, then passed the stew to Fleming, who ladled some into his bowl before passing it to Fiona, who took only a little before passing it to Grayson. She watched as he filled first his father’s bowl and then his own.
    They followed the same ritual with the freshly baked bread, and then the butter, followed by the jug of milk.
    When the plates were filled, Rose stared pointedly at Fiona while saying, “We thank Thee for this food.”
    In the next breath she added, “We are a God-fearing, church-going family. I expect anyone who lives under our roof to do the same.”
    Before Fiona could even respond Rose bent to her meal.
    While Rose and Flem ate, Grayson cut his father’s meat and vegetables into small bites, then closed his father’s hand around a spoon. With each bite, the son dutifully wiped his father’s chin before taking a quick bite of his own meal.
    Because she was seated directly across from him, Fiona was acutely aware of the care Grayson was taking to see to his father’s comfort. She thought of her own father and how she would have loved to care for him. If only she could.
    Oh, Da, please don’t let me embarrass myself by weeping in front of these strangers.
    She closed her eyes, fighting the sting of tears. When she opened them, she realized that both Grayson and Broderick were watching her. She felt the warmth of a blush on her cheeks and ducked her head quickly.
    She was grateful that the food was tasty. At least she wouldn’t have to lie. “This is grand, Mrs. Haydn.”
    “No need to flatter. As I said, we eat simple food here.”
    “To someone who hasn’t eaten in two days, it tastes heavenly.”
    “Two days?” Gray’s head came up sharply.
    Fiona’s cheeks reddened. She hadn’t meant to let that slip. “The train ride was longer than I’d anticipated.”
    “Where is your home?” Broderick Haydn seemed unaware that his spoon was halfway to his mouth, and dripping on the tablecloth. But his wife noticed and gave a hiss of displeasure.
    “Massachusetts. A pretty little town called Bennett.”
    “You miss it.” Without glancing at his wife the old man carefully set his spoon back in the bowl.
    “I do. Yes. This is the first time I’ve ever been away.”
    “Do you have family there?”
    She shook her head. Her voice lowered, softened, her brogue deepening, and she could feel the tears close at hand. “Not anymore.”
    “Have some more stew.” Grayson shoved the pot toward her.
    “Thank you. I will.” Fiona was grateful for the interruption. After filling her bowl she glanced over at the big, shy man, wondering if he had any idea what a favor he’d done, or if it had been