Whispers of the Heart Read Online Free PDF Page A

didn’t want him to get too friendly? Was she really that shy, or didn’t she like him? Most people did, and he usually returned the regard, but…Autumn puzzled him.
    Maybe she had a boyfriend, though he hadn’t seen anyone visit her—and he thought he might have, since his office desk faced the street window and he often found himself watching the traffic.
    Perhaps the truth was more basic than that. Simply put, she just might not be interested in him.
    He supposed it could be that, though he’d seldom met a woman who turned him down flat. On the whole, he liked women, even liked them a lot, though it had been a very long time since he’d met a woman who interested him in any personal way. This one did. Why, he hadn’t yet figured out.
    Perhaps he was at last ready to find a new woman to love.
    Other than casual, friendly dates, he’d lived without a woman in his life, except his mother, since that awful day Felice smashed her car and herself into nothing. Three and a half years ago, next week.
    Since then, he’d contented himself in his faith, work and family, and a renewed interest in community service. That was why he’d moved his offices downtown. He wanted to be a big part of the city’s urban renewal.
    â€œDaddy, can I get on your computer now?”
    About to turn away, Autumn’s gaze dropped to the small boy who stepped from his father’s shadow. About four, she guessed, the child had the same ginger-colored bright-eyed gaze as Brent.
    â€œThis is my son, Tim,” Brent said. “Timmy, this is Miss Barbour.”
    The boy stared at her in curiosity for a long moment, then smiled. “You have icing on your mouth.”
    â€œI do?”
    â€œUh-huh. Have a tissue?”
    â€œOh, yes, I suppose I do.” She smiled at the boy and fished in her pocket for one. “I just bought some wonderful baked goods down at the market and had to have a sweet roll right away. They’re the best when they’re so fresh, you know.” She thrust the bag toward him. “There’s two chocolate donuts in here. Would you like one?”
    Timmy turned to his father. “Can I?”
    â€œSure, if you recall your manners.”
    Autumn held her paper bag out farther. The little boy reached in and helped himself, saying his thankyou at the same time his mouth took a huge bite. She offered the bag toward Brent.
    â€œThanks, think I will. We didn’t take time for breakfast this morning. Say, I have about an hour’s work to take care of here, then Tim and I are going to find a real all-American breakfast. Want to come along?”
    â€œOh, no…” Autumn thought it time for her to take her leave, sidling toward her door. “Thank you for inviting me, though. I, um, have a project I’m eager to finish.”
    â€œDid you get all your boxes put away?”
    â€œNot exactly. I have to find a ladder.”
    â€œAh. I’d loan you one, but I haven’t any here at the office.”
    â€œThat’s all right. I need to buy one, I guess. You were right when you said I’d never reach the top third of my shelves without one.”
    â€œIf you’re going out today, I could help you pick it out and carry it home for you. Those things get pretty heavy.”
    â€œThey do? Well,” she glanced down the hill toward the market area. The current festival, a spring flower show, she thought, was getting under way with incoming trucks and cars. Saturdays were busy everywhere merchandise was sold. Saturdays spelled crowds. No, she couldn’t go out again today.
    â€œI don’t think I’ll go today. Perhaps I can get a store to deliver one.”
    â€œIf you wish, I can get Sam and Josh to pick up one for you and deliver it right to your door. They’re coming this way one day next week.”
    â€œOh. Why, that would…that would be very helpful, thank you. Yes, please. I’ll certainly pay them