Hope In Every Raindrop Read Free Page A

to himself and turned to walk further into the store.
    There weren't many options on the menu at Pearl's Place, but the ham and cheese sandwich that Earl made was absolutely amazing. An inside-out ham and cheese sandwich—that’s what Earl had called it. His secret? Butter each slice of bread and sprinkle the outside with parmesan cheese. So simple, but so delicious. Either that or Katie was just so famished that anything would have been amazing.
    "I hope Earl here isn't bothering you," a woman said from somewhere behind Katie.
    Katie turned on her stool at the only high-top table in the store, to find a plump gray-haired woman holding a large push broom. Her cheeks puffed into little round cotton balls as she smiled, and her voice had that endearing quality of a wise grandmother.
    Katie wiped a drop of mustard from her lip and swallowed the last bit of her sandwich. "Not at all.”
    "Not at all," Earl quickly added. "Miss Price here is a famous writer!" Earl added, which he had learned through the endless conversation he’d engaged her in while making the sandwich.
    The woman ignored Earl and instead introduced herself. "Excuse his manners, he’s all shy at first, but once you get him talking he just doesn't know when to stop. I'm Pearl."
    "Katie."
    "Well, Katie, it is a pleasure to meet you."
    "I love your store," Katie blurted out.
    "Thank you, dear, but I'm afraid it's not much these days," Pearl said, looking towards the worn wooden beams that framed the ceiling.
    "Miss Price is looking for a story!" Earl interrupted again excitedly.
    "Oh, Earl, would you hush up and stop bothering this poor woman." Pearl turned back and whispered to Katie, "I'm sorry, dear, he's always like this when we get somebody in the store."
    "It's okay," Katie said. "I actually am looking for a story to tell."
    Earl's smile was ear to ear as he looked at Pearl with smug satisfaction. “See?”
    "Hmm. Well, I'm afraid Bishopville isn't exactly a big story town,” Pearl said, ignoring her husband. “Not a lot goes on around here. I s'pose that's why most people stick around."
    Katie's smile faded a bit at the news, but she resolved herself as she recalled the words that started her on this journey in the first place.
    There are stories all around you if you only take the time to look.
    "Anyways, enjoy your lunch, dear. C'mon Earl, let's leave Miss Price to finish her meal in peace."
    “But she already finished her sandwich,” Earl pleaded.
    Pearl just glared at him, and Earl stepped from behind the counter and followed her towards the front of the store. She handed him the broom and he began to sweep the floors between each row of shelves.
    Katie crumpled up the wax paper she had been using for a plate, quickly ate the dill pickle wedge that Earl had given her, and found Pearl tidying up behind the register.
    "How much for the sandwich and drink?"
    "That will be five dollars even," Pearl said with a great big smile.
    Katie pulled out her pocketbook and was about to hand over a credit card when she thought better of it. Instead, she pulled out a ten dollar bill and slid it across the counter. "I don't need any change," she added politely.
    Earl was still sweeping the floors and grumbling to himself. "You should tell her about the dogs," he kept mumbling. "I bet she'd like to know about the dogs. And Kyle,” he added.
    "She don't want to hear about no silly dogs," Pearl shouted back.
    Katie couldn’t help her curiosity. "What dogs?"
    Pearl sighed and tapped her finger on the countertop as she looked at Katie, a reserved look on her face. “Miss Price, I just don’t think you ought to be chasin’ after rumors is all.”
    “What rumors?”
    Pearl carried on, talking more in thought than complete sentences. “Doc just hasn’t been the same since…I mean, he still practices an’ all, but…and…Kyle. He really has grown up to be a fine young man, but he’s just gotten so attached to them dogs.” She paused, taking in a deep breath