Promise of Tomorrow Read Free Page A

basket. “He’s a busy man. An important man, Mary. The company needs him.”
    Mary made a sound like an indignant snort. “What about you? What is he in love with, you or his job?”
    Directly in front of the boardwalk from where they stood, an old rowboat had settled in muddy soil, no longer used for its original purpose but serving as a flowerpot. Spring geraniums, buds in abundance, petunias, and pansies all craned their necks toward the weak sunshine. Damp air rolled from the lake surface and spiraled around the two friends.
    Alaina drew strength from God’s beauty and waved her hand. “He is doing it for us.”
    â€œI think you should give Robert a chance.” Mary hefted the picnic basket and called for her young charges. The children came running, jostling each other the whole way. She turned back to Alaina. “He is obviously interested in you. And he’ll get the promotion before Jack will. He’s been with the company longer.”
    Mary had her opinion and never shrank from expressing it, but sometimes Alaina wished her friend would bite down a little harder on her quick tongue.
    â€œRobert would do anything for you, even move you away from grim little Johnstown.” Mary motioned the children to go ahead of her. “Why, just yesterday he heard a visitor from the Midwest say Johnstown’s sunrise began at ten o’clock and ended at two. How dreary is that? I definitely don’t want to be stuck living here all my life.”
    Alaina had to agree with the visitor’s description. Nestled between the mountains, Johnstown’s sunny day did, indeed, begin later. Still, Alaina loved the place. The small city’s bustle never failed to excite her. Even the constant drizzle of rain in the spring months did nothing to diminish her affection. To her, Johnstown held the best of both worlds. For in the moments when life became too stressful, she could always escape to the peaceful mountains. “That’s just it.” Alaina faced her friend. “I don’t want to live anywhere else. I don’t long for the big city like you do. Johnstown is my home.”
    Her friend looked skeptical. “But don’t you get tired of it? And Jack is always forgetting you.”
    â€œHe doesn’t forget. He has to work on his plans when he has the chance. When he thinks he’s on to something, he prefers not to break his concentration. You know how important this invention is to him. To us. And it’s a long way up here from Johnstown.”
    â€œI’m happy for you, Lainey. Really.” Mary touched her sleeve. “It’s just that Jack is so unpredictable. I wonder what kind of husband he’ll be.”
    Alaina felt the peace leak from her heart. She didn’t want to answer. How many times had she asked herself that same question? Not wishing to take the conversation any further, she called to Thomas, Lily, and Mark.
    â€œI’m sorry,” Mary’s voice whispered. “I want you to be happy, and if Jack makes you happy, then I’ll say no more about it.”
    The Hensley children gathered around Alaina. “Go ahead and see your brother and sister home, Mark. I’ll be right behind you.”
    Mark groaned. Lily, ever the little mother, grabbed Thomas’s hand and practically pulled him over in her enthusiasm to get home.
    â€œSlow down,” Alaina admonished the little girl. “His legs aren’t as long.”
    Mark herded his siblings up the boardwalk as Mary adjusted the picnic basket and shooed the twins ahead of her.
    Alaina stole another glance at the sky. Dark clouds gathered on the horizon, and a rain-swept breeze filtered through her hair and caressed her cheek. Rain. Again. She inhaled the damp breeze and closed her eyes.
    â€œYou coming?”
    Alaina’s eyes popped open. She gave one more glance at the ever-darkening sky and hurried to catch up to Mary.
    Her friend chuckled.