Following Your Heart Read Free Page B

“Didn’t I tell you it would be hard?”
    â€œThat’s not hard,” Teresa said, her voice resolute. “In fact, it might keep people more honest if everyone knows what we’re looking at. Now isn’t that a good thing?”
    Susan tightened her grip on the reins as her horse threw his head back, neighing as it flicked its ears toward the bend in the road ahead of them.
    â€œWhat is that all about?” Teresa asked.
    â€œToby must smell another horse coming around the corner,” Susan said.
    â€œI don’t hear anyone coming,” Teresa said, leaning forward on the seat.
    â€œ Yah , there is someone coming.”
    Ahead of them a horse appeared from behind the trees along the curve in the road, its head erect, its ears thrown forward. It was followed by an open buggy driven by a man.
    â€œIt’s one of our ministers—Deacon Ray,” Susan commented to Teresa. “Be sure to smile when we go past.”
    â€œBut he doesn’t even know me.”
    â€œYou’re planning to stay around, aren’t you?” Susan asked as the buggy fast approached.
    Susan took one hand off the reins to wave as they passed the man, and Teresa did likewise. Deacon Ray’s hat was pulled firmly down over his head, his lengthy beard spread over one shoulder. He gave a little wave as he passed, although he did stare at them.
    â€œI smiled,” Teresa confirmed when the rattle of wheels behind them had died away.
    â€œ Gut ,” Susan said. “Now his head is spinning like a top as he tries to figure out who you are.”
    â€œDid he know you were back?” Teresa asked.
    â€œHe likely did,” Susan said. “Things have a way of getting around in the community. For that matter, he may have figured out who you are too.”
    â€œHow?”
    â€œLike I said, word gets around. Most people, including Deacon Ray, probably know where I’ve been, when I got back, and who I brought with me. He probably knows better than I do if I’ll stay or if this is just a visit.”
    â€œYou mean you don’t know?” Teresa asked.
    â€œI can hardly believe I was living in Asbury Park only last week,” Susan said. “Or has it even been that long? It feels like two years since we were there. How silly I was to ever think I could get away from all this.”
    â€œWhy did you want to?” Teresa asked, pushing her bonnet back again.
    â€œYou haven’t been here as long as I have,” Susan said.
    â€œBut, Susan, you were happy to come home, weren’t you?” Teresa asked. “Or did you come home just because of me? Please say you didn’t, Susan, or I won’t be able to stand it.”
    â€œNow, now,” Susan consoled. “I came home because I wanted to. But I do miss Laura and Robby. Did you know he took me out on the ocean before I left? As a goodbye gift. It was really wonderful, and now I’ll probably never see the ocean again.”
    â€œAre you in love with him? Is that why you sent that Mr. Moran packing?” Teresa asked. “But you did tell your parents this morning you weren’t.”
    Susan laughed. “Of course I wasn’t. Robby’s not the kind of man I’d fall in love with. He’s more of a brother—but a gut one. And I will always remember him for the wonderful times we had together.”
    â€œYou’ll go back, Susan,” Teresa said. “Your voice is full of longing.”
    Susan reached over to touch Teresa’s hand. “You’re imagining things,” she said. “I’m staying here with you and Samuel.”
    â€œNo, you sound like you came home just because of me,” Teresa said. “That’s awful. It makes me sick in my soul.”
    Susan turned to face Teresa. “Look,” she said, “I needed to come home, okay? So don’t worry about it. Perhaps you were part of the reason I came home, but you’ve seen