Journal of a Lifetime (Journals of Love) Read Free Page A

morning.”
    Helen grabbed Lindsey’s arm and moved her back onto the sidewalk and into the shade of the church, her grip tightening on Lindsey’s arm. “Are you sure that’s a good idea?” There was no squint in Helen’s eyes now; they were wide-open, staring straight into Lindsey’s blue eyes.
    “I think so,” Lindsey said. “I think I will feel closer to Nana if I can visit the same places that she did.” She hesitated and her eyes narrowed. “Why?”
    Helen cleared her throat and fidgeted with her purse. “I just don’t know if a young lady should travel all that way by herself.”
    “I know. You sound just like my mother, but I’ll be fine.” Lindsey smiled reassuringly and gently removed Helen’s grip from her arm. “Is there anything you remember Nana telling you when she returned?”
    Helen smashed her lips together. “Oh, you know, we had the usual vacation conversation about the good food, the beautiful mountains, the comfortable beds, things like that.”
    Lindsey was disappointed. “Well. If you remember anything else, will you give me a call?” She reached into her purse and pulled out a business card. “Here’s my cell phone number, and I’m staying at the Banff Rocky Mountain Resort, so you can reach me either way.”
    “I will, Lin. Be careful, please, and use that stubborn common sense that Adele passed on to you.” She hugged Lindsey, then opened her purse to find her car keys.
    Lindsey could smell Helen’s rose perfume lingering even after she drove away. She was a bit put off . . . Helen really hadn’t liked the subject of Nana’s trip at all. She shrugged it off, and decided Helen was just overprotective, like her mom. Lindsey went to locate her car and drive to the restaurant, hoping Marie wasn’t getting too worked up that she was late.



Four
    L INDSEY COULD ALMOST picture the smoke billowing off the top of Marie’s head as she slid into the booth opposite her. She began her apologies right away. “I am so sorry. It took me a little longer to get out of there than I thought it would.”
    Marie was never one to listen to excuses. “What did you need from Helen?” she asked impatiently.
    “Well, I wanted Helen’s thoughts on a trip I’ve decided to take to Alberta.”
    Lindsey was reluctant to tell Marie her real reasons for the trip. For the past few months, Marie had been going through an unwelcome divorce and had been really wrapped up in her own thoughts.
    “Oh—” Marie’s eyes focused on the straw she was twirling in her water. “When are you leaving?”
    Lindsey took a sip of her own water in preparation for the response she would receive. “Uh . . . tomorrow morning.”
    Marie looked at Lindsey through narrowed eyes. “Is there a reason you’re in such a rush? This is the first I’ve heard of you ever wanting to go to Alberta.”
    “I don’t know. The timing was just right. I need to get away for a bit . . . ”
    Marie apparently didn’t want to spend too much time on an uninteresting topic. “All right,” she said as she waved her hand, her signal to change the subject. “Hope you have a good time. Anyway, what did you think of Pastor Pete’s sermon this morning?”
    Lindsey smiled, thankful this time for Marie’s short attention span. “I enjoyed it. That’s one of my favorite Psalms and always brings me peace. Did it do anything for you?”
    Marie hesitated and looked out the window. “I need to process it a little more, but, surprisingly I do feel better. I’m trying to remind myself that God is in control of this whole situation. He will take care of me with or without my husband, right?”
    Lindsey’s heart softened as she thought of all Marie was trying to come to terms with. “Of course, Marie. You’re going to be fine. You’re already better than you were six months ago. I don’t know how you survived living like that.” She hated to remind Marie of the nights spent alone when her husband didn’t come home, but Marie