Pocketful of Pearls Read Online Free PDF

you think?”
    “I think you would not be getting your money’s worth. I can no more do heavy work right now than that chicken there”—he indicated
     Schatzi, who had left another blue egg in the niche and was preening her feathers—“could pick up this bale of hay.”
    “A few solid meals would take care of that.”
    “And you know nothing about me except that I’m not very capable of managing a walking tour.”
    “Possibly. But whether you can manage a grazing lease and feed cattle concerns me more.”
    “I know more about chickens than cows, and that’s only because of you.”
    “You can learn. And it’s interesting you should mention the chickens. You don’t frighten Schatzi.”
    He glanced from the bird, who had finished preening and had hopped down to the feeder, to Dinah. “What has that to do with
     it?”
    “Schatzi is very easily frightened. But she’s not frightened of you.”
    He sighed, and one corner of his mouth lifted in a rueful smile. “All the credits in the world, and I’m reduced to a character
     reference from a chicken.”
    “You’ve got ground to make up with Sheba, though, after not sharing your breakfast.”
    “I will endeavor to do that.” He sounded as if he were trying not to laugh. “Since Sheba’s opinion appears to matter to you.”
    “Sheba matters deeply to me.” She got up. “One thing.”
    “Yes?”
    “My aunt and uncle will be leaving Monday afternoon. I have no idea how long Phinehas will be here, but it could be several
     days.” She pushed the thought away. “You need to keep yourself hidden out here until I can tell my mother I’ve hired you.
     Come on. I’ll show you.”
    She led the way back to the tack room and heard his slow steps behind her.
    What am I thinking? He could hurt me.
    She fought back the panic. He had all he could do to get up and walk. And there was Schatzi, who had not been afraid. She
     took comfort in that and tried to calm the irrational fear.
    She pushed open a door and stood aside. Matthew halted on the threshold and gazed at the room.
    “Who is this for?” he asked at last.
    “When we had a hired man, he stayed here.” She avoided touching him as she passed and indicated the kitchenette. “You could
     do your own cooking if you wanted, but once everybody leaves it’s probably more convenient to eat with us. That’s the living
     room. The sofa’s kind of old, but it’s comfortable. There’s a bed through there, and a bathroom with a shower.”
    “I had no idea this was here.”
    Guilt prickled, and she shook it off. “Now that you’re no longer a vagrant, you shouldn’t be sleeping in the hay.”
    “I don’t know about that. Schatzi and I came to an understanding. But are you sure?” He turned to her with such an expression
     of pain that she stepped back in spite of herself.
    “Sure?”
    “That you want to do this for me. You’ve been so kind and I—” He stopped and made a gesture of futility with both hands. Emotion
     worked in his throat. “I have no way to repay you.”
    “You’ll be working,” she said briskly. She absolutely could not handle his emotion. She warded off his thanks with her tone.
     “I’ll bring your meals for now. You can use the time to build up your strength.”
    “Right.” He took a long breath. “Hidden away in luxury. I’ll be our little secret.”
    She stared at him, and the remnants of distress in his face turned to alarm.
    “What? What did I say?”
    “Nothing,” she choked out. Then she turned and, as pain lanced through her legs, walked as quickly as she could out the door.
    OUR LITTLE SECRET.
    Throughout the rest of the day, the words echoed in her head. By afternoon the voice was no longer that of Matthew Nicholas,
     but of Phinehas.
    You’re a vessel filled with love, poured out in secret.
    It took her two hours to prepare dinner—two hours of cutting vegetables and preparing spices, two hours in which she was far
     too busy to think or to acknowledge the