Finding Elizabeth Read Free Page A

yourself."
     
    "Well there's not much to tell. I have lived
a pretty simple life. I was born in Oklahoma, but adopted at birth
by a family from Bentonville. My childhood was great, and my
parents made sure that I was given every opportunity," Claire
said.
     
    "My father passed away when I was eight and
my mother just remarried. She is off traveling around the country
with her new husband. He's a great guy, but there have been so many
changes in my life lately. It just seems like everything I loved is
gone."
     
    "How so?" questioned Janet.
     
    "I... I am sorry, I just presumed Mr. Allen
had told you." With a far away look and damp eyes, Claire said, "I
lost my husband Adam in a car accident last summer."
     
    Reaching over to pat Claire's hand Janet
said, "Oh dear, he didn't tell me. I am so sorry. You poor thing,
and then your mother remarried?"
     
    Claire smiled, as she remembered her mothers
wedding day, "Yes, she remarried just a few months ago. I have been
so restless, like I don't belong anywhere."
     
    With a smile Janet said, "Well dear, I think
you have found a place where you belong."
     
    "I will admit it is tempting to stay and try
to make a life here in Eureka, but I am not sure what I want to do.
My best friend and my mother have been wanting me to resume classes
to finish my degree," Claire said.
     
    "Oh, what degree is that?" Janet asked with
interest.
     
    Claire sat down the coffee cup she had been
holding, "At the time of the accident I was in the last year of my
masters program. My degree is in history and I hoped to become a
historian, but my dream was to open an antique shop. I just lacked
a few classes, but I cannot seem to focus anymore. I've had
nightmares my entire life but after Adams death they have become
much worse. There is just no way I can focus on school right
now."
     
    "Well dear," Janet quipped. "Maybe you just
need a change of scenery. Eureka Springs is a wonderful town. I
know if you give it half a chance you will love living here and
maybe you could finish your degree online. You know, you own a
building that would be perfect for an antique store. The current
tenants are moving out at the end of February. I can show it to you
now if you don't have any plans."
     
    "That is perfect. I can be ready in about an
hour," Claire said as she gathered the dishes. "Thank you for
breakfast, everything was delicious. I hope you will let me repay
your kindness. I would love to cook dinner for you and Steve
sometime."
     
    Standing, Janet reached for the carafe, "It
was my pleasure cooking for you. Steve and I would love to have
dinner with you, it would give us all a chance to get to know each
other better."
     
    ***
     

 
     
     
     
     
     

Chapter Four
     
     
    Janet and Claire drove to town in silence.
Janet could not quit thinking of their earlier conversation. She
could tell Claire was holding back, and that there was more going
on than she wanted to talk about. But she knew in time Claire would
find peace with everything that was troubling her. Janet knew she
shouldn't meddle. But this girl had obviously been through some
trauma and needed to move forward and put the past behind her.
     
    She also knew her son, and Claire is just
the type of girl Daniel likes. She was tall and slim with long
brown hair. Her beautiful brown eyes were fringed with thick, long
lashes that any woman would kill for. She had a polished,
sophisticated look, but the soft features of her face combined with
full, luscious, pouting lips made her look like an innocent young
girl. Just one look at the golden tone to her skin, would make
anyone think she had just returned from a tropical island. What man
could possibly resist her? She knew exactly what Daniel needed, and
that was a good, kind and beautiful woman. It was well past time
for him to settle down and start a family. After all I am not
getting any younger and would love to have grandbabies some day.
Thinking back on her conversation with Daniel, she