The Letters Read Online Free PDF Page A

joke around the church that if Naomi sneezed, Galen dropped everything to be at her side with a tissue. “She’s had a headache the last few days but seems to be feeling better today.”
    He started to leave, so she quickly said, “Would you like a cup of coffee? I just brewed a fresh pot for Vera.”
    “Can’t.” He was in a hurry, usually was.
    Rose knew Galen wouldn’t slow down for a cup of coffee. But she needed to talk to him and hurried to catch him beforehe slipped through the privet. “Galen, could I ask your advice on a matter? A business matter?”
    He stopped, turned to face her, didn’t say anything, but he was listening.
    “I’m thinking of converting the basement into an inn,” she went on. “As a business.”
    Galen was quiet for a moment, thinking. “Why would you want that kind of an undertaking? You’ve got a lot on your shoulders as it is.”
    With the Securities and Exchange Commission lawyer hounding her, he meant. With children at home, especially two young boys, who needed constant surveillance. With a mother-in-law who was ailing.
    “The thing is . . . it seemed like a way to support my family.” She bit her lip, waiting for his reaction.
    Tipping his head, he studied her, his lips a speculative twist. “I see.” His expression said he didn’t see at all.
    Rose’s heart sunk. She shouldn’t have told him. She braced herself, expecting him to point out that she had no real idea what she was doing. And wasn’t that the truth?
    What if Galen said something to Bishop Elmo? To others? She wasn’t ready to discuss this. The last thing she needed was another reason to have folks eyeballing her. She couldn’t afford to make mistakes in this new church. Why had she said anything to Galen? They were neighbors, that’s all. He’d always been kind to them in his quiet way, especially after what happened to Dean, but she shouldn’t expect him to be an advisor to her. Gracious sakes, the man had enough troubles of his own with his frail sister.
    “Why?”
    Hadn’t she just told him? “To make a living.”

    “No,” Galen said firmly, almost impatiently. “No, that must not be all there is to it.”
    The past seven months had been difficult as she adjusted to widowhood and being a single mother. She knew it was time to pick up the threads of her life and move forward.
    “You’re here in Stoney Ridge for a reason. Is this the reason?”
    Rose spotted her mother-in-law on the front porch steps to the house. The easy answer to Galen’s question would be to say they were here for Vera. For the longest time, the older woman just stood there, looking out at the yard and pastures, a slightly confused expression on her face. Rose watched her turn and head back into the house, feeling a spike of concern. Vera was getting more and more forgetful.
    Galen cleared his throat. “There must be one hundred easier ways to make a living than operating an inn. Think. Why do you really want to do this?” His voice was urgent. “What was it that gave you the idea in the first place?”
    Rose closed her eyes, conjuring the image in her mind. “I’ve always wanted to have people come to my home, to be restored and refreshed. I love the feeling I get when people are eating at my kitchen table. It makes me feel so good inside, deep down.”
    An awkward feeling slid over her. She looked down, watching her own fingers make a pleat in her apron. Galen’s eyes were on her, waiting for her to continue. She could practically feel them boring in her soul.
    “I like the idea of it,” she continued. “Of creating a place where folks can catch their breath and feel welcomed. And I do need to find some ways to bring in money. I don’t want to have to work in town and have the boys come home to an empty house.” Not entirely empty. Vera would be home. Nearly empty.

    She chanced a glance at him.
    He gave her a soft, slow smile. “Well, let’s check out the basement and see what it would take.”
    For a