Simple Choices Read Free Page A

sat there with Sam and Sweetie, for the first time since driving Hannah home, serenity began to overtake my concern for her.
    Our trip hadn’t been pleasant. The silence between us was nothing like the relaxed atmosphere I enjoyed now. Although I’d counseled her to wait a few days to tell her parents about Jim’s offer, I had no idea if she’d followed my advice. For all I knew, the Mueller household was in an uproar now, and I could be at the center of it. Abel, Emily, and I had been through a lot together. I prayed we could weather this storm as well.
    Reluctantly, I lifted Buddy, kissed him on the head, and put him down. Then I stood to my feet. “Guess I’d better get home. I dumped my luggage inside the door before I came over. If I don’t unpack and wash my dirty laundry, I may have to pull my winter clothes out of storage. And it’s way too hot to wear anything heavy.”
    “Good thing I finally got your electrical problems solved while you were gone,” Sam said. “Now you can actually turn on your lights and run your washer at the same time.”
    I grinned. “Much more convenient than washing my clothes in the dark. Thank you.”
    He stood up and took me in his arms. “I’m tired of saying good-bye to you,” he whispered. “I can hardly wait for the day when all I have to say is good night.”
    I sighed and leaned into him. “Me, too.” We stayed that way until we heard Sweetie clear her throat.
    “I ain’t in the way on my own front porch, I hope,” she said with a throaty chuckle.
    “Actually, you are,” Sam said, finally letting me go. “But what can we do? We’re used to you.”
    Sweetie’s gruff laughter carried through the deepening shadows, almost drowning out the song of the cicadas as they serenaded the encroachment of night.
    Moving into Sweetie’s house after the wedding might seem strange to people who didn’t know us, but it was as natural to me as breathing. Sweetie was family, and living with my husband and his aunt felt completely right. I couldn’t help but think back to the first time I met Sweetie. Rough, nosy, and caustic, she seemed unpleasant—someone to avoid. Now she was almost a second mother to me. I’d learned an important lesson from Sam’s aunt. Judging anyone too quickly is a big mistake. People have many layers, and if you want to really know someone, you’ve got to invest some time and patience. Beneath Sweetie’s harsh exterior, I discovered a strong, brave, and humble woman who’d turned out to be a role model for me. Her difficult life had toughened her, but it hadn’t broken her spirit or her ability to love. My respect for her only grew as I got to know her better.
    “I’ll walk you to your car,” Sam said, grabbing my hand.
    I waved good-bye to Sweetie and ran my hand over Snickle’s back. Buddy followed us down the steps.
    “Pick me up for church in the morning?” I said, as I leaned against my car.
    “Sure,” Sam said. “How ’bout lunch at Mary’s afterward?”
    Even though Harmony’s only restaurant retained Mary Whit-tenbauer’s name, Mary had departed our small town months ago. Her secret dealings with a shady real estate agent who’d wanted to build a resort and casino near Harmony had been exposed, along with her involvement in a grisly murder. After testifying against the agent and being granted immunity, Mary left the state. No one knew where she was now. Her former cook, Hector Ramirez, currently ran the restaurant, along with his wife, Carmen.
    “Sounds good,” I said, “but after we eat I need to go home and get things prepared for my family’s visit.”
    “Need help?”
    I grinned. “I’m not blind, you know. Even though I wasn’t home long, it was obvious little elves had been cleaning the house and stocking my fridge.”
    Sam held his hands up. “I am guilty only by association. Sweetie knew you wouldn’t have much time to shop and dragged me to the store in Council Grove. And you know I don’t clean, but I