Along Came Love Read Free

and chemo and radiation, the works.
She's been so brave through it all. But…she's terribly weak, and I
want to make sure she doesn't over do. My father died long ago, and
she's been alone ever since. She always loved it here so I decided
we'd try to find somewhere close to her home. She used to have a
bunch of friends here, and I'm hoping she can get reacquainted with
some of them at least."
    "I'm sorry, I shouldn't have pried…" he
began.
    "Don't be, it isn't a secret. She isn't an
invalid or anything. It's just well,…I think we both need each
other right now." Samantha explained stirring artificial sugar into
her tea. "Cancer patients need a lot of family support. Because of
their weakened condition, it's important to keep their spirits up,
keep them as active as possible. I thought I would get her involved
in something here."
    "You know that stuff isn't good for you."
Jake pointed his finger at the artificial sugar. "As thin as you
are, real sugar wouldn't hurt you." He remarked watching her dump
the artificial sugar into her tea.
    Samantha's face screwed up into a frown, "And
if we want to stay thin, we use this stuff, as you call it."
    "And is your ex-husband something we
shouldn't talk about?" he asked politely.
    His change of subject shocked her; she had
been prepared to lash out about the sugar and stuff. But then she
suddenly realized there was no need. Jake Travers didn't have any
idea who he was talking to. And she'd overcome her problem long
ago. There was no longer a need to be intimidated about it
    ***
    Samantha squirmed nervously as her friend
soaked up the news.
    "Why aren't you jumping up and down? It is
wonderful news! I'm so happy you found a job in Sweetwater. Now you
and your mom can get reacquainted with everyone. It just couldn't
be better. .I mean, it's not as close to us, but we can still visit
when Rusty and I come home during the holidays," Hannah smiled at
her friend. "I think it's perfect, your Mom has always wanted to
move home…"
    "I am excited, and a little nervous, too. I
mean I applied here first naturally, and there were no openings. I
should have known, too small a town to need a teacher, I guess. In
fact, I tried all around the area, there just wasn't anything
open," Samantha sighed. "All that was available was subbing, and I
don't want to do that again, there's just not enough guarantee I
could make it on a Sub's salary."
    "Of course not, you need a full time teaching
job. But this will work wonderfully for you. Sweetwater is just big
enough to be interesting, and since you were raised there, you
should know lots of people. Phyllis, the cheerleader with the
overbite, moved there after graduation, and Norma Jean married a
man from there, so they're living there now too." Hannah sighed
holding her infant close. The baby made a funny face in his sleep,
but cuddled toward her.
    Hannah smiled at him and stroked his
silk-soft hair.
    "It will be nice, I'm sure I'll remember a
lot of people. You know, it's so hard to believe you and Rusty
settled down and made a family. I mean, the twins, Joe and then
little Emily, are growing and now Jacob. Are they excited about
their brother?"
    "Oh gosh, are they ever? They fight over who
gets to diaper him and who gets to feed him. But they love him,
that's what's important. I guess I should be glad they like him and
don't want me to take him back, that's what Joe wanted us to do
when Emily came along."
    "I can't believe the twins are already in
school." Samantha was saying as she gazed longingly at the baby. "I
mean, when Rusty first came out here, I just knew it had to be some
ruse. But one look and I could tell you two were in love." Samantha
chuckled.
    Hannah's eyes became large and she looked
down into little Jacob's face and smiled again. "I hate to spoil
the fairytale, I really do. But, you were right. It was a ruse, at
first. Rusty came here to rescue me, and the ranch. It's a long
story but Dad had squandered all the money I sent home. I was in