Ray of Light Read Free Page A

towel again and hanging it on a rail on the back porch, she poured herself another cup of coffee and sat down at the kitchen table, irritated now.
    She’d lied to Roman on the beach. The truth was that Regina wouldn’t be up for another hour at the earliest. She just hadn’t been eager to sit next to him for another moment, waiting for him to tell her something about himself.
    Especially since she’d told him about Wesley being gone.
    So, essentially, Roman had ruined her morning routine, her very favorite part of the day while on vacation. It was really too bad that he was staying right next door.
    She couldn’t very well go back outside without looking rude.
    Looking around, she thought about making some jam with those strawberries. They had a refrigerator full of fruit. But that meant hours of working in the kitchen.
    And that sounded like too much effort.
    Amanda supposed she could read her book. Or practice on those Sudoku puzzles everyone else seemed to do with ease.
    But those things didn’t really appeal to her, either.
    The phone rang and startled her out of her stupor. She eagerly ran to pick it up before it woke Regina.
    â€œHello?”
    â€œAmanda, it’s Marlene, dear. I was thinking of hopping on the bus and visiting Siesta Key today. Would you like me to bring you anything? Or have lunch together?”
    Her mother-in-law was a wonderful-gut woman. But she was a talker. And a worrywart. And a bit controlling. Having her around today would not be relaxing.
    Actually, Amanda had a feeling Marlene was worried about Regina. Marlene often watched Regina when Amanda worked at the bakery. She made no secret about how much she worried about Amanda’s withdrawn little girl.
    It did no good to tell Marlene that Regina was still recovering from Wesley’s death. And that it didn’t always make Regina feel better to be surrounded by constant talk and memories of a father she only remembered living in a hospital bed.
    When she’d finally accepted her in-laws’ invitation to use the condominium, Amanda had promised herself that she’d try to make this a carefree week. A happy one. She was looking forward to a few days of doing what she wanted, when she wanted to do it.
    If Marlene stopped by, she would certainly comment on the unswept floors and unmade beds. The crayons strewn across the table and the sand toys in buckets by the back porch.
    Worse, she would likely settle in and tell Regina a dozen stories about when her father went to the beach as a child . . . and how sad he’d been when he’d gotten too sick to see the ocean.
    That wouldn’t do. That didn’t sound like the kind of vacation Amanda had in mind.
    â€œ Danke , Marlene, but I don’t need a thing.”
    â€œYou don’t? Oh.” She took a breath. “Well, how about I simply stop by for a chat? I’m worried that you’re sitting by yourself day after day.”
    In the privacy of the kitchen, Amanda let herself smile. After all, she’d only been gone for two days. “I haven’t been sitting alone.”
    â€œNo?”
    â€œNot at all. I’ve made friends with the family next door. Regina has, too. The Keims have a little girl named Lindy, and she’s almost exactly Gina’s age. They have become fast friends. We’ve got plans to get together with them later.”
    â€œOh.”
    Amanda winced. That one sound held multiple meanings, for sure. Wesley’s mother loved her very much. But she also envisioned Amanda memorializing Wesley for the rest of her days.
    â€œThank you for checking on me, Marlene. I’m glad you called.”
    â€œMe, too. Is Regina right there with you? Could you put her on? I’d like to say hello.”
    â€œGosh, I’m afraid she’s still asleep.”
    â€œStill? It’s almost eight.”
    â€œI know.” Purposely, Amanda left the conversation at that. No way did she want to