To Love and to Cherish Read Free

many people knew about the condition of her marriage, but it wouldn’t do to appear happy about Noah’s death. Even those who knew the state of her marriage wouldn’t accept that.
    â€œI think everyone in town showed up,” Norman announced when the last guest had left. “But that was to be expected considering the esteem in which everyone held Noah.”
    Norman found it impossible to believe anyone could think less of him and his brother than they did of themselves.
    â€œMany said how much they appreciated the refreshments we provided,” Norman said with pride.
    Sibyl had been responsible for every aspect of the food’s preparation and presentation, but Norman could never give his wife sole credit for anything. It was as though doing so would diminish his value.
    â€œI have to get back to the bank. Noah would be the first to say I should never neglect business. Don’t forget to come by tomorrow,” he reminded Laurie. “We have a lot to talk about.”
    â€œI’d better go, too,” Cassie said.
    Laurie didn’t see why turning over Noah’s estate to her required more than a few sentences, but she was willing to let Norman talk as long as he wanted. Once she walked out of that bank, she would never have to listen to him again.
    â€œDo you know how much money Noah left you?” Naomi asked.
    â€œNo, but Noah owned most of the store and part of the bank.”
    â€œAt least you won’t have to work in the bank like Cassie.”
    Norman didn’t believe any woman was capable of understanding the simplest bank transaction, but he wasn’t above using Cassie’s looks to ensure every male within fifty miles used his bank.
    â€œWhat will you do?” Sibyl asked.
    â€œI don’t know. I haven’t had time to think about it.”
    â€œYou don’t have to decide right away,” Naomi said. “I, on the other hand, have to get home right away. Colby is so crazy about that baby, he’ll use any excuse to have him all to himself. That’s why he’s not here now. He said I could convey his sympathies better than he could. If I don’t get home soon, I’m afraid my own son will forget who I am. If it weren’t for Esther and Peter, I wouldn’t get any attention at all.”
    Laurie tried not to be envious of Naomi’s happiness, but Colby was the kind of husband every woman wanted and only one in a thousand found. She was glad that one had been Naomi.
    â€œAre you sure you want to stay in that house by yourself tonight?” Sibyl asked. “You’re welcome to stay here as long as you wish.”
    â€œI only stayed with you and Norman these last two nights because he insisted I was too upset to be left alone. He has no idea how long I’ve dreamed of being alone. Noah was cruel. I would never have done anything to hurt him, but I’m glad he’s dead. Does that make me a bad person?” Her laugh sounded slightly hysterical even to her. “You don’t have to say anything, but don’t pretend you don’t understand. Now before I say anything else, I’ll leave. I have some shopping to do before I go home. I don’t know if I can stay in that house without feeling Noah’s presence in every room.”
    â€œWhat will you do if you can’t?”
    â€œBuild another house. Or maybe I’ll move to Tucson. Noah had plenty of money.”
    â€œYou can’t do that. Your family is here.”
    â€œDon’t call my parents my family ! If they’d loved me even a little, they’d never have forced me to marry Noah.” Emotion choked off anything else she might have said. Before Noah’s death, she hadn’t spoken to either of her parents since her wedding day. She didn’t know if that would change now. “For the last four years, I’ve died a little each day,” she told Sibyl. “Now I actually feel alive, like I can take a