The Forever Stone Read Online Free PDF Page B

hurried on. “I appreciate your letting me use your space. I’m hoping to take some courses online.”
    “But you kept your skills, I’m sure,” he said. “If I may ask a favor in turn, I know someone—the local doctor—who’s looking for an editor.”
    She’d heard that request once too often. “I don’t think I’ll have time to do any more editing,” she said, “and I must confess that I’ve developed an allergy to doctors.”
    He cocked his head. “Why is that?”
    “Close acquaintance,” she said. “My uncle’s one, and I know several others.”
    He didn’t look convinced, so she had to explain. “As far as I’m concerned, they’re all highhanded and egotistic. They think they’re medical deities.”
    A smile rearranged the wrinkles on his face, but all he said was: “Sounds like you’re renovating the Manor. I’m glad to hear it.”
    He wasn’t going to argue. She felt a twinge of remorse for what she’d said—he’d been so friendly—but she wasn’t about to change her mind. 
    They had reached the display of painting supplies, and he asked, “Are you using latex or oil?”
    “Latex,” Bria said.
    Timothy picked up a paint roller and handed it to Madeleine. “I’d suggest using this for the walls, and brushes for the trim. And how about one of these?” He lifted out a long pole with a paint roller attached to its end. “For those walls and the high ceiling.”
    The doorbell jingled and Kent’s voice called, “There you are! What are you trying to sell to our newest resident?”
    Smiling as if they were best of friends, he strolled toward her.
    “They’re painting at the Manor,” Timothy said.
    The bell jingled again, and Timothy glanced at the woman who marched in. “Excuse me a minute please.” He limped off to meet her.
    Kent took the long-handled roller from Madeleine and hefted it. “Yes, this will do,” he said. “How about a step ladder? Do you have one?”
    Madeleine looked around for Bria, but the girl had walked off, her pony-tail bobbing as she went. “I don’t think so, but we can—”
    “Oh, no, you’re such a tiny thing, you’ve got to have a ladder.” Kent smiled down at her. “Chairs can be dangerous. I’ll bring one by for you.”
    He gave her another smile, one that might or might not have been meaningful, and hurried after Timothy. “Hey, old friend, can you sell me some ice cream real quick? Then I’ll let you get on with your wheeling and dealing.”
    Bria reappeared, and they added brushes and a paint tray to the rollers Timothy had suggested. While they paid for their supplies, a large coffee-brown dog peered around the end of the counter. “He wants to meet you,” Timothy said. “He takes a personal interest in my customers.”
    The dog regarded her with intelligent eyes. His rough coat suggested no particular breed, and one ear was torn, giving him a comical, lopsided look.
    “He’s a dear old critter,” Bria said. “Just checking you out.”
    The phone rang and Timothy turned to answer it, but first he said, “Thank you, ladies! I hope to see you again.” The dog seemed to think it was his duty to escort them to the door.
    As they drove away, Madeleine commented on the dog, and Bria remarked that he took care of Timothy like a protective uncle.
    It was a picturesque comparison, abstract and unexpected. She wanted to ask whether Bria was going to school anywhere, since she looked old enough for college, but the girl had fallen into one of her silences.
    Her own thoughts returned to the store, weighing Kent’s eagerness to “drop by.” Did he think he could just come on over and they would have a cozy little visit? Surely he knew that Aunt Lin had left for New York.
    The Manor’s driveway came up fast, and she almost missed it but her thoughts didn’t pause. She should have told him, “No thanks. I’ll get a ladder of my own.”
    Why hadn’t she?  . . . Mouse!
    She parked the car, gathered up their purchases, and looked