Wishing on Buttercups Read Online Free PDF Page A

hurt a person’s feelings.”
    Wilma rolled her eyes. She didn’t care a whit if Frances noticed. At times like this she couldn’t remember why she had worked so hard to befriend this woman. “I wasn’t aware you had feelings, Frances.” She worried her lip a minute. “Oh dear. That was unkind, and I didn’t mean it at all.”
    The rigid planes of Frances’s face slowly relaxed. “You are forgiven. I suppose I should not have snapped at you either.” She gave a wry chuckle. “It is a lot of work trying to be the right kind of person, don’t you think?”
    “Most assuredly.” Wilma nodded. Gratitude filled her as she remembered the early days of her friendship with Frances. Back then, they had both stormed out of the room and refused to speak for days, but God had done a work in their hearts that continued to amaze her. Frances still had times when she rubbed people the wrong way and snipped at everyone around her, but they didn’t occur as often or last as long. “Now, getting back to Beth …”
    “Do you know exactly what the trouble is?” Frances set her teacup on the cherry wood end table.
    “I’m not certain, but I am concerned it might have to do with a young man she believed herself to be in love with in Topeka.”
    “I believe you mentioned something about a lost love.” Frances fiddled with the handkerchief in her lap. “It may have been when I was questioning you about Beth’s prospects.”
    Wilma chortled, trying not to take too much pleasure in her friend’s discomfort. “Ah, you mean the time you tried to convince me to move out and find accommodations at the Arlington Hotel?”
    “I was hoping you might not remember that.” Frances turned her face away.
    Guilt pricked at Wilma. “Now I must apologize for my rude behavior. I was only jesting, Frances. I didn’t mean to bring up an unpleasant memory.”
    “Let’s forget about it, shall we?” Frances squared her shoulders and sniffed. “I think we have both apologized more than enough for one day. I, for one, am quite weary of it. Now, what were you saying about the young man and Beth?”
    Wilma glanced over her shoulder. She hadn’t heard footsteps on the stairs, but it would pay to be cautious. “Four days ago she received a letter. I saw her slipping upstairs with it sticking out of her handbag. I accosted her and asked if Brent had written to her.”
    Frances nodded approvingly. “You were correct to do so, in my opinion. Young people can so easily get in trouble if left to their own devices.”
    “Exactly.” It felt good to have a friend who understood and agreed, especially one who had raised two girls and was involved in her granddaughters’ lives as well. “She claimed it wasn’t from that rapscallion, and I needn’t worry about it. I want to trust her, but back in Topeka she sneaked out one time to meet him without my permission. Which makes me worry all the more.”
    Frances sat a little straighter. “Did you pursue the subject?”
    “She refused to speak more of it and stalked up to her room.”
    “Well, I never!” Frances exclaimed. “That certainly does not sound like the placid young woman we have come to know.”
    “That concerned me too. I’ve been keeping an eye on her since, to no avail. When she left the supper table in a huff the other day, I followed her to her room. But I may as well have been talking to the wall for all she’d volunteer. At least not beyond stating she did not care to be the subject of Mr. Tucker’s book.”
    A smug expression settled on Frances’s face. “I stand up with Beth on that account. She is showing wisdom beyond her years in disapproving of that nonsense. I hope some of what I said to Mr. Tucker influenced her.” She held up her hand and frowned. “Do not get all high and mighty with me, Wilma. I remember Beth excusing herself from the table, not leaving in a huff. I think you were miffed because she agreed with me, rather than you.”
    Wilma gritted her teeth