The Wedding Planners of Butternut Creek Read Online Free PDF

of the issues.”
    “I wish I’d noticed earlier.” Adam rinsed the plates and began to load the dishwasher.
    “How would you have noticed? She’s in third grade. Many trained professionals and teachers missed it.”
    “I know, but I should have known she had a problem. She always studied. I’ve never seen anyone study so hard except my sister.” He shook his head. “But my sister got great grades and loved to study. Janey’s grades are average, and I know she’d rather play than work so hard. I should have done better.”
    “Adam, give yourself a break. You found two kids sleeping in the park because their father had gone to prison and the landlord kicked them out. You took them home. You’ve given them security.”
    “But I always acted like a big brother not a father.”
    “Well, you weren’t.”
    “I should have done more…”
    “Oh, for heaven’s sake.” She put her hands on her hips and glared at him. “You’ve been great with them. You drive Hector to visit his father in prison. You’ve loved them and supported them and…”
    “But if I’d…”
    Before he could say more, Gussie took a few steps toward him, put her hands on his shoulders, and kissed him. A very nice, very unexpected action. After that, she leaned against Adam and put her arms around his waist.
    “A great way to end an argument.” He dropped his cheek onto the top of her head. “What do you want to fight about next?”
    “Let’s just finish up in the kitchen, then we’d better go outside. Preacher, being here alone with me is going to ruin your reputation.”
    “Okay, let’s go on out. I’ll finish up here later.”
    As they settled on the swing, Gussie took Adam’s hand. “What’s happening with Hannah? Where is she now? Is she still in London with your folks?”
    “Haven’t heard from my sister lately. I usually call on Sunday.”
    “Usually?”
    “I’m not sure where she is. She hasn’t answered an email for weeks.”
    “Do you worry?”
    “No, Mom will tell me if I should worry. Hannah’s not a touchy-feely stay-in-touch kind of person. I call her Gypsy because she’s always wandering around and because she looks like a gypsy.”
    “When you were talking about Janey, you said Hannah studied a lot and liked it.”
    “Always. Never saw her without a book. Has an amazing brain, soaks up everything, always determined to know more, to do better than anyone, and to finish med school as soon as possible. She knew what she wanted to do, go to Africa and heal the entire continent.”
    They swung for a few minutes in contented silence. “I love this,” he said. “I love everything about Butternut Creek. The people, the trees and houses, the church.”
    They waved as Tasha Ferguson, who lived across the street, headed out on her evening walk.
    “But you and I are the very best part of Butternut Creek.” It didn’t make much sense but seemed to please Gussie.
    She lifted her head and Adam placed his hand against her cheek.
    “Definitely the best part,” Gussie agreed.

Chapter Two
    A few minutes later, Gussie reluctantly stood and got in her car to drive to Sam’s old house. Adam waved, then went inside. He sat at the counter between the kitchen and family room where he often worked on a sermon or a Sunday school lesson. He could spread his books and notes out, and the hard stools kept him awake. For an hour, he turned the page of a Bible commentary and made notes on his tablet. The only sound came from Chewy, who snored on the dog bed next to the sofa.
    He wished he had a computer in the parsonage. Why hadn’t he bought a laptop back when he had the money? Didn’t make much difference. He hadn’t because the PC had cost almost nothing. He kept the computer at the office and toted it home when he needed it. Not the handiest plan.
    For only a second, he dropped his head on his arms to think about finances. As well as a computer, he needed a new car. He trusted the old one around town, as long as he