River's End (9781426761140) Read Free

concoct a plan to prevent arousing Lauren’s suspicion.
    To Anna’s relief, Lauren was busy taking care of guests, and the house was bustling with activity. Anna managed to get a plate of food without Lauren batting an eyelash. “I’m taking this to a guest who doesn’t feel up to coming to the house,” Anna explained. And, really, it wasn’t untrue. Although Sarah was so much more than just a guest. Anna carried the food to her room, where she hurried to gather up a few pieces of clothing—something clean for Sarah to put on after her shower. Then, with the clothing tucked beneath an arm and the warm plate of breakfast in hand, she hurried back out.
    The sound of water running told Anna that Sarah was still in the shower as she let herself into the little cabin. She turned the oven on low, setting the plate of food inside to stay warm. Then she opened the windows to allow some fresh air inside. Hazel hadn’t stayed here since last summer. But following her Asian journey—a trip to celebrate her recent retirement from teaching—she planned to live here full time. While Hazel was in her early eighties, she still seemed younger, but Anna knewshe was slowing down. She also knew that Hazel loved this little cabin, and even if it was convenient for Sarah—for the time being—it would have to be temporary.
    Still, Anna moved some of Hazel’s personal things out of the way, trying to make the little cabin seem as welcoming as possible to Sarah. She even ducked outside and picked some of the wildflowers growing nearby and was just putting the vase on the wooden kitchen table when Sarah emerged from the tiny bathroom addition that Clark had built for his mother so many years ago.
    â€œOh!” Sarah seemed surprised, securing the soronglike towel more tightly about her as her long dark hair dripped down over her bare shoulders. Anna cringed inwardly to see Sarah’s grayish skin stretched tautly over her collarbone. She looked emaciated.
    â€œI didn’t mean to startle you,” Anna said gently. “I put some breakfast in the stove for you and was just airing this room out and straightening up a bit. Hazel hasn’t stayed here since last August.” Now Anna prattled on about how Hazel had recently retired from teaching at the university, and how she was now on a tour of some Asian countries.
    â€œThat sounds interesting.” Sarah’s voice sounded flat and nearly void of emotion.
    Anna pointed to the clothes she’d set on the chair. “I know that dress will be too big for you, but it’s clean and comfortable. There are some other things, too.”
    â€œThank you.” Still Sarah just stood there, warily watching, almost as if she wished Anna would leave.
    â€œI thought we could talk,” Anna said. “Why don’t you get dressed and I’ll make us some coffee and—”
    â€œI don’t drink coffee.”
    â€œTea then?” Anna suggested.
    â€œOnly if it’s herbal.”
    â€œOh . . .” Anna nodded as she turned to open the cupboard near the stove. “Well, I’m sure Hazel must have some chamomile here somewhere.”
    Sarah took the clothes to the bedroom with her, and Anna busied herself making tea. For some reason, she felt like she was treading on eggshells here, like one wrong word, one misstep, and Sarah might take off running like a scared rabbit. And so, as she waited for the water to heat, Anna prayed. She prayed for Sarah as well as for the rest of them. She prayed that this unexpected reunion would go as smoothly as possible—and that no one’s feelings would be hurt. Especially Lauren’s and Sarah’s.
    Lauren had made so many mistakes with Sarah. Even she could admit this now. But her excuse was that she’d been young, too young . . . a child parenting a child. In many ways Sarah had been more mature than her mother. Still, Lauren had