Four Weeks Read Free

could get rid of him that easily. It didn't work, so she hurried down the walk. Putting distance between them might do the trick.
    Thank goodness that man wasn't her boss. Besides the fact that she'd made a fool of herself by staring at him, his personality left a lot to be desired. The odd combination of nervousness and frustration pulsing through her veins just thinking about him told her everything she needed to know. He was a man to be avoided.
    Louise tried to distract herself by studying her surroundings as she walked. Several patches of fading daffodils circled the front of a small art gallery. As she passed, she admired the large watercolor paintings filling the front window. To her, the landscapes of tall pines, old birches and delicate white trilliums carpeting the ground were distinctly northern Michigan.
    Her hometown in the southern part of the state was pleasant, too. She loved her family and friends, but she'd been smothered for too long. Being the only child of overprotective parents didn't leave much room for independence. Her mother and father didn't understand her need to prove herself. They never believed her when she told them that what she needed to be fulfilled was an exciting career.
    That's what she planned to find on the island. Freedom, independence, and success. That combination, the rewards from a successful career, would lead to complete happiness and fulfillment.
    At the end of the sidewalk, where the concrete met the sandy grass that stretched to the shore, sat two buildings. One was a carriage house that had been turned into an elegant hotel; the other smaller building had to be Lovell's Rooming House.
    Louise slowed to examine the red-roofed structure. Instead of the dread she experienced when she first laid eyes on Hawk's Riding Stable, the rooming house drew her. The narrow brick walkway beckoned and she pushed her way through the prim whitewashed gate, noting the budding shrubs and small trees that filled the surrounding yard.
    She followed the path as it curved around the building and climbed the wide steps to the back porch. A tiny painted sign nailed below a bell instructed her to ring for service. The pretty jingle pealed into the quiet.
    She turned from the closed door to admire the shoreline view. To her left she saw the piers where the ferryboats brought the hordes of tourists onto the island and further down she made out the smaller docks where people kept their private boats. The tall sailboats and low fishing boats clung to the docks. To her right the shoreline curved sharply around forming the bottom section of the steep craggy west side of the island.
    "Hello, Miss. Can I help you?"
    Louise turned to find a tall, gray-haired woman staring at her. The woman brushed away a few stray hairs as she studied Louise the way a small town citizen studies every newcomer, thoroughly and openly.
    The plain curiosity didn't bother her. After the treatment she'd gotten at the barn, she rather liked the fresh dose of honesty. Renewed with confidence, she offered her hand and introduced herself.
    A spark of surprise and something else flashed in the older woman's faded brown eyes.
    Uncertainty niggled at Louise. “I thought you might be expecting me.” She dropped one hand and lifted up the letter she held in the other. “Mr. Parker left me this note."
    "Yes, of course.” The woman paused, then went on more firmly, “I was expecting you."
    After another pause, a genuine smile appeared and brought her expression alive. “I'm Sally Lovell. I own this old place and I'm real happy to have you.” She pulled the door open wider, backed into the house and gestured for Louise to follow.
    The wooden screen door smacked behind them. Louise put down her duffel bag and scanned the huge parlor she'd entered. Inviting couches and tables stacked with magazines filled the room.
    "I'll get you a glass of lemonade."
    Louise opened her mouth to tell her hostess that wasn't necessary, but Mrs. Lovell had