Tracie Peterson Read Free Page B

had shared, “but there has to be room for the star.”
    Rachel read the longing in his tone. He seemed nothing like the outlandish character her brother had written her about.
    Ruth laughed. “That’s right. Please come inside,” she said again. This time she let her own longing be heard, and Rachel clearly understood her mother’s need.
    “Yes!” Rachel said, rather embarrassed by her own enthusiasm. “It would be so wonderful if you would spend some time with us.”
    David looked at both women as though they had somehow gone daffy, then shrugged and went back for his suitcase. Lifting it rather slowly, he turned and again stated, “I don’t want to impose.”
    “Nonsense,” Ruth said, settling the matter. She reached out and motioned David into the house.
    Rachel eased away from the door to let them pass. In a moment that lasted only a heartbeat, David’s eyes met hers. Something inside Rachel stirred to life for the first time. Her heart nearly broke for the lost look in his eyes. Oh, Kenny had been right. This one was truly wasting away. Life had evidently treated him very poorly.
    She closed the door and glanced upward with a smile. It was almost as if Kenny himself had sent them a special Christmas gift. It was almost as good as having Kenny home once again.

    David Cohen felt an overwhelming urge to bolt and run from the Bennett house. He’d never experienced such kindness, and it madehim most uncomfortable. Surely these people were merely putting on an act for his benefit. They couldn’t really want him around. Of course, if Kenny had only mentioned the briefest details of their friendship, then he could understand. They couldn’t possibly know how he had hurt Kenny time and again by lying and sneaking around. They couldn’t know everything and still want him here.
    But as the evening wore on and supper was served, David found Kenny’s sisters, Helen and Rachel, and his dad, Marion, and grandfather George most cordial. They were every bit as enthusiastic about his visit as Ruth had been. With a spirit of true interest they asked him questions and showed concern over his injuries, but never once revealed any pity or disdain.
    They laughed and told stories of Kenny and Christmases gone by. David found himself caught up in the conversation, even sharing memories Kenny had related to him while they were in the navy together. The family seemed moved by this, especially Ruth, who would dab at her eyes whenever David told of something particularly meaningful.
    Supper had been marvelous in spite of the limitations put on them by rationing. Mrs. Bennett had prepared a marvelous chicken stew, and David had never known anything that had tasted quite so good.
    “That was wonderful,” he told Ruth as she shooed everyone to the living room.
    “Thank you, David. I’m so pleased you enjoyed it.”
    “Good thing you didn’t serve him any of Mrs. Mendelson’s fruitcake,” Helen threw in with a giggle.
    “Now, Helen, that’s not very nice.” Ruth spoke in a reprimanding tone, but nevertheless there was a smile on her face.
    Helen bestowed an impish grin on David before flipping her pigtails and heading for the stairs. “I have to go memorize my lines for the Christmas play. If you decide to cut the cake, don’t worry about saving me any.”
    Ruth laughed at this, as did Grandpa Bennett and Marion. Only Rachel refrained, and David felt certain that was because she’d failed to hear what her sister had said. Rachel seemed like something out of a dream to David. She carried herself with a kind of grace and quietness that made her appear almost elegant—regal. Here she wasin a simple cotton dress, nothing at all elaborate, and yet she was clearly the most beautiful woman David had ever known. He watched her as she crossed the room to pull the drapes, seemingly caught up in her own thoughts. How come Kenny had never told him just how lovely his sister was? Suddenly unnerved by his thoughts, David searched