Something About Sophie Read Online Free PDF

I figured. But I’ve been learning about hope recently—thought I’d give it a try.” She glanced at the doctor; his eyes warmed and his lips curved upward.
    â€œWell , I hope Arthur left them both a dozen rotten eggs for their trouble. Shame on them. Now, what did I interrupt?”
    â€œDr. McCarren was telling me about his grandfather and why he became a doctor.”
    â€œLeroy? Lord, what a flirt he was. He had sweet little pet names for all of Elizabeth’s friends; flattering, no matter how homely we were. I’m nine years younger than Elizabeth so, of course, I wasn’t a part of her crowd but I was around, and he didn’t show favorites. I was Jubilant Jesse—it means full of high-spirited delight. Isn’t that nice? I loved him for that. He was a big fella with a roaring voice, and so full of energy. Wasn’t he, Drew?”
    â€œYes.”
    â€œWe all adored him, but he mortified Elizabeth, I think.” She started their walk across the cemetery lawn toward her car. “I imagine it would embarrass any young girl to have such a friendly, playful father, but we all thought she was the luckiest girl alive. Mr. Kingston was a real character.”
    â€œI got that from what Dr. McCarren was saying.”
    â€œPlease. My dad is Dr. McCarren or Dr. Joe. I’m ‘Doc’ at most, but more often it’s just Drew, which suits me fine.” He glanced over his shoulder. “And I see I’m holding my mother up. She asked me to go out to BelleEllen with her and my sister.”
    â€œWell, it’s always good to see you, sweetie. Say hi to your mom and Ava for me,” Jesse said, flinging a friendly arm around his neck for a hug. “Don’t work too hard.”
    â€œOkay.”
    â€œI’ll say goodbye, too.” Sophie extended her hand and, again, took pleasure in the way his engulfed hers. “I’ve enjoyed talking with you. And thank you again, for looking for the letter.”
    â€œNo problem. I’m sorry I couldn’t find one for you. I hope we get a chance to talk again before you leave town.”
    â€œI’d like that, too, but I’ll be leaving as soon as I’ve seen Mr. Metzer tomorrow morning.”
    He nodded. “In that case, have a safe trip home.”
    She returned to Jesse’s side and he walked off in the opposite direction. Hardly half a minute later, they turned their heads to catch each other looking back, smiled at what if and went on their way.
    T he expected members of Reverend Arthur Cubeck’s family arrived at Graham Metzer’s office. He herded them into a small conference room with barely enough mismatched chairs, apparently gathered from every room in the building, to seat everyone in no specific order—first come, next seated.
    Jesse’s overnighters had come and gone early—leaving her with chores to do and no good excuse for Sophie to hang around. She took the time-killing ten-block walk from the B&B and still arrived ten minutes early. It was a warm day but still early enough in June to be pleasant and not miserably humid.
    She’d awoken dreading this meeting, wishing she hadn’t agreed to come. Sifting through a small catalog of good excuses to avoid it had failed, so she ultimately had to haul herself up and into the shower. A queasy stomach warned her that it might be wise to skip breakfast, and later it decided to churn and growl while she sat and waited for the others to arrive.
    Truly, her curiosity aside, she had no real interest in knowing who her birth mother was. Not really, not anymore anyway. Once upon a time and in a moment of teenage rage and rebellion, she’d threatened to seek her out; live with her until she was eighteen. She’d broken her mother’s heart, made her cry and crushed any further thoughts she had about the woman. She was grateful for her life, but she felt no deep need to thank her in person or to know what