Colder Than Ice Read Free Page B

insulin pump so you can stop sticking yourself three times a day like your body’s a pin cushion?”
    Maude waved a hand at her. “I don’t trust machines. And if you could see what they charge for one of those gadgets…”
    â€œYou have insurance.”
    â€œThat’s no reason to throw good money away on nonsense. ‘The frivolous can waste more by the teaspoon than the frugal can bring home by the wheelbarrow.’”
    â€œIs that one of your originals?”
    She shrugged. “You’d have called the original sexist. So I put my own twist on it, just for you.”
    â€œAnd I’ll bet you’ve been waiting for the opportunity to use it.”
    Maude sent her a wink. Then she reached to the tray table and poured from a dewy pitcher into a tall glass. “Here’s a nice glass of cold water. Cool you down after all that ridiculous running.”
    â€œPerfect.” Beth took the glass from the table and tipped it up, drinking half the refreshing, sweet water down before lowering herself into her customary seat, a second wicker chair that matched the first in age and wear, if not color or design.
    â€œCookie?” Maude offered.
    â€œChocolate chip?” Beth asked, leaning over the table to lift the tarnished silver lid from its platter.
    â€œHow did you know before you even looked?”
    â€œI could smell them baking in my dreams last night.”
    Maude chuckled, but then her smile died, and she shookher head. “A young woman ought to have something to dream about besides cookies.”
    Taking a big bite, Beth said, “What else is there?”
    But Maude didn’t join her in her teasing. “I’m serious, Beth. Life without friends is like pie without ice cream. You’ve lived in Blackberry for a year now, and yet you’ve barely made any friends at all.”
    Beth tipped her head to one side, reminding herself that the old woman needed something to occupy her mind, and if worrying about her was the thing to do it, then fine. She would indulge her. Reaching across the table, she patted Maude’s hand. “I’ve made one friend, Maude. One very good friend.”
    That got a smile out of Maude. She actually had to blink a little moisture from her eyes. “Oh, you. Now you’ve gone and made me misty.”
    â€œWell, I mean it. I’m so glad you called me over here that first time.”
    â€œSaw you walking by, then running by, day after day. Any fool could see you were lonely. Besides, I was curious to ask what it was you were running away from.” She took a sip of her tea. “Not that I’ve managed to get an answer to that question.”
    â€œâ€˜A woman without secrets has led far too boring a life,’” Beth said, repeating one of Maude’s own pearls of wisdom back to her.
    â€œScore one for you.” Maude sighed, settling back in her chair. “You know, there are some nice people in Blackberry. You’re missing out on a lot by keeping so much to yourself.”
    Here it comes, Beth thought.
    â€œTake Jeffrey Manheim. Owns the coffee shop down on Main Street. Nicest unmarried man you could ever want to—”
    She broke off there, looking up as a shiny white pickup truck pulled into her driveway. Beth shielded her eyes to tryto make out who was inside, but already she was on guard. She didn’t recognize the man who got out of the truck and glanced their way. A younger man—maybe eighteen—got out from the passenger side and came around the truck to join him. Strangers. New in town.
    This couldn’t be good.
    Maude rose to her feet and stumbled a little as she started forward, so Beth got up as well, and grabbed hold of her forearm to steady her.
    â€œJoshua?”
    The man flashed a smile. “It’s me, Gram. It’s been way too long.” By the time he finished the sentence, he was mounting the steps, and then he swept Maude into his