A Love All Her Own by Janet Lee Barton Read Free Book Online Page B

waiting for them, and while Mr. Wellington greeted her by clasping her hand in his, Mrs. Wellington gave her a hug as soon as Abigail turned to her. Then she took over from Marcus and led her into the church. From the moment Abigail entered the church, she felt at home.
    Mrs. Wellington introduced her as they made their way to a pew near the front of the building. Over and over again, Mrs. Wellington said, “Please meet Abigail Connors, the daughter of dear friends of ours in Eureka Springs.” She’d give the parishioners’ names, too, and Abigail could only hope she would remember some of them. As she took her seat beside Mrs. Wellington, she realized that she hadn’t been to church since she’d broken her engagement to Nate. She couldn’t face having to explain everything to the people she’d gone to church with all her life.
    Now she wondered why. Had she been afraid that they’d be talking about her behind their hymnals? Or that they might be thinking that the broken engagement was what she deserved? She’d known those people all her life, yet. . .had she really? As the service got underway with prayer and singing, Abigail realized that through the years she’d gone to church more because it was expected of her than because she wanted to be there. . .needed to be there. Oh, dear Lord, please forgive me. Please help me to become the child You want me to be, and please forgive me for putting everything else in front of You.
    Abigail blinked back tears and hoped that no one noticed. She’d been so concerned with herself she couldn’t even remember the last time she’d prayed. Nor could she really recall listening to a sermon all the way through. But today was different, and she found herself holding on to every word the minister was saying about forgiveness of others and one’s self. She was beginning to realize that she had much to ask forgiveness for.
    She was still thinking about the sermon when the service ended and she and Marcus followed his parents back to their home. Mrs. Wellington’s dining table was set with fine china and crystal—for twelve. Before Abigail had a chance to become nervous, several of the people she had been introduced to earlier arrived, and she strived to remember their names. The minister and his wife arrived last, and everyone seemed to want to talk to Abigail.
    “We are so glad to meet you, Miss Connors,” a man she’d been introduced to earlier said. “I’ve heard wonderful things about your family. How long are you planning on staying in Hot Springs?”
    “I’m not certain. I’m looking into some things for my father.” Abigail spoke the truth. She was going to do as requested, and she had no idea when she was going home. No time soon—that was for sure.
    “Would you happen to know the Joneses? They are dear friends of ours and moved to Eureka Springs a couple of years ago.”
    “No, I don’t believe I’ve met them. It’s possible my parents would know them, though.” Abigail felt faint for a moment. If they knew people in Eureka Springs, it was possible they’d heard about her wedding being called off and had heard any number of things about her.
    “We’d love to have you to dinner one evening soon,” his wife said.
    Her tone was very nice and friendly, and Abigail tried to put her fears to the back of her mind. “Why, thank you.” At least it would get her out, and she supposed she should get to know some of the people in town. It might be that she would be staying for quite some time. Abigail just wished she could remember their names. “That would be lovely.”
    “I’ll send you an invitation this next week, then.”
    “I look forward to it.” She was going to have to ask Marcus who the couple was, because hard as she tried, she couldn’t recall their names.
    But she did remember the next person who came up to her and asked if she’d be free for lunch during the next week. Abigail had been introduced to the young woman and her husband before