Summer in Good Hope (A Good Hope Novel Book 2) Read Online Free PDF

strain he was putting on his body, the toll his exploits were taking not only on him but on his family. She and the twins needed him. They wanted to spend time with him.
    For a few weeks after one of those talks, life would be better. He’d be around more. But inevitably some new adventure would beckon and he’d be off again. His need to prove he was stronger than his illness took priority over everything else. Over his job. Over the boys. Over her.
    A familiar resentment flared. She could have dealt with bearing the brunt of the responsibilities at home, but not his selfishness. They were already dealing with a shorter amount of time together, and the fact that he would risk cutting short even a second of that time infuriated her.
    Even when his lung function had decreased, instead of scaling back his activities as his pulmonologist recommended, Rory had pushed himself even more.
    When he’d left on that last trip, she’d been so angry. She’d said hurtful things. So had he. Prim closed her eyes and felt the pain of those last few minutes they’d shared wash over her.
    Despite the fact that no one should have to die because of a manufacturing error in a climbing harness, she was grateful Rory hadn’t suffered. The fall had killed him instantly.
    Early in their marriage, they’d talked about what he wanted to happen if he died. His mother, he told her, wanted him buried in the family plot. So she could keep vigil, he’d said with a flash of a grin. Then he’d sobered, looked her in the eye, and told her what he wanted—to be cremated and his ashes scattered to the winds.
    Prim’s gaze slid to the black ceramic urn on the upper shelf of the corner curio cabinet. Despite pressure from Deb and Mike, she’d gone ahead with the cremation. But she hadn’t scattered him to the wind. She’d kept him close in a way not possible when he was alive.
    A knock at the door pulled her from her reverie. Swiping at a couple of stray tears, she hurried to the door. Instead of her father, Ami stood there.
    With a loud whoop, Prim pulled her sister tight against her for a hug. “I didn’t realize you were coming back so early.”
    “We’re taking a longer honeymoon in January.” Ami looped her arm through Prim’s as she stepped inside. “To somewhere warm and tropical. Where they have beautiful beaches and drinks with little umbrellas.”
    “Sounds like heaven.”
    Ami heaved a happy sigh. “Anywhere with my Beck would be heaven.”
    “Now you’re getting mushy.” Prim grinned. “I might have to slap you.”
    Ami giggled, the sound so joyful Prim joined in.
    “Where are my nephews?” Ami glanced around. “It’s way too quiet in here.”
    “They’re playing with Boris in the backyard. I can get them?” Prim had already turned when Ami placed a restraining hand on her arm.
    “While I’d love to see them, I need to scoot.”
    “Oh.” Puzzled, Prim shifted from one foot to the other and tried not to whine. “But you just got here.”
    “There’s something I needed to discuss with you. I thought it best to do it in person.”
    Prim’s heart gave a hard thump. “Is it something with Dad? Marigold? Fin?”
    “No. No. No. Nothing like that, the family is all fine,” Ami quickly reassured her, the words tumbling out one after the other. Then she gestured to the sofa. “Can we just sit for a minute?”
    Prim plopped down, her gaze scanning Ami’s face. “It must be important for you to come here right when you get back from your honeymoon.”
    “I have a Cherries meeting later this morning. I wanted to speak with you before I went.”
    “Nearly out of patience here, Am.” Prim made a rolling motion with her hands. “Cut to the chase.”
    “Gladys is retiring from the Cherries. I want to nominate you.”

    Ami Bloom Cross sat in the center of the semicircle in the parlor of Hill House, waiting for just the right moment. The meeting, as far as meetings went, had been interesting.
    Eliza had broken the news