Unfinished Business Read Online Free PDF Page A

“I’d like to have seen that.”
    â€œIt’s hard to believe he’s a doctor.”
    â€œI don’t think anyone was more surprised than Brady.”
    â€œIt’s odd he’s never married…” She frowned. “Or anything.”
    â€œI won’t touch ‘anything,’ but he’s never married. There are a number of women in town who’ve developed chronic medical problems since he’s come back.”
    â€œI’ll bet,” Vanessa muttered.
    â€œAnyway, my father’s in heaven. Have you had a chance to see him yet?”
    â€œNo, I wanted to see you first.” She took Joanie’s hands again. “I’m so sorry about your mother. I didn’t know until yesterday.”
    â€œIt was a rough couple of years. Dad was so lost. I guess we all were.” Her fingers tightened, taking comfort and giving it. “I know you lost your father. I understand how hard it must have been for you.”
    â€œHe hadn’t been well for a long time. I didn’t know how serious it was until, well…until it was almost over.” She rubbed a hand over her stomach as it spasmed. “It helped to finish out the engagements. That would have been important to him.”
    â€œI know.” She was starting to speak again when the intercom on the table crackled. There was a whimper, a gurgle, followed by a stream of infant jabbering. “She’s up and ready to roll.” Joanie rose quickly. “I’ll just be a minute.”
    Alone, Vanessa stood and began to wander the room. It was filled with so many little, comforting things. Books on agriculture and child-rearing, wedding pictures and baby pictures. There was an old porcelain vase she remembered seeing in the Tucker household as a child. Through the window she could see the barn, and the cows drowsing in the midday sun.
    Like something out of a book, she thought. Her own faded wish book.
    â€œVan?”
    She turned to see Joanie in the doorway, a round, dark-haired baby on her hip. The baby swung her feet, setting off the bells tied to her shoelaces.
    â€œOh, Joanie. She’s gorgeous.”
    â€œYeah.” Joanie kissed Lara’s head. “She is. Would you like to hold her?”
    â€œAre you kidding?” Van came across the room to take the baby. After a long suspicious look, Lara smiled and began to kick her feet again. “Aren’t you pretty?” Van murmured. Unable to resist, she lifted the baby over her head and turned in a circle while Lara giggled. “Aren’t you just wonderful?”
    â€œShe likes you, too.” Joanie gave a satisfied nod. “I kept telling her she’d meet her godmother sooner or later.”
    â€œHer godmother?” Confused, Vanessa settled the baby on her hip again.
    â€œSure.” Joanie smoothed Lara’s hair. “I sent you a note right after she was born. I knew you couldn’t make it back for the christening, so we had a proxy. But I wanted you and Brady to be her godparents.” Joanie frowned at Vanessa’s blank look. “You got the note, didn’t you?”
    â€œNo.” Vanessa rested her cheek against Lara’s. “No, I didn’t. I had no idea you were even married until my mother told me yesterday.”
    â€œBut the wedding invitation—” Joanie shrugged. “I guess it could have gotten lost. You were always traveling around so much.”
    â€œYes.” She smiled again while Lara tugged at her hair. “If I’d known… I’d have found a way to be here if I’d known.”
    â€œYou’re here now.”
    â€œYes.” Vanessa nuzzled Lara’s neck. “I’m here now. Oh, God, I envy you, Joanie.”
    â€œMe?”
    â€œThis beautiful child, this place, the look in your eyes when you talk about Jack. I feel like I’ve spent twelve years in a daze, while you’ve made a family and a home and a