A Place Called Home by Lori Wick Read Free Book Online

hesitated, but Christine caught the different tone in her voice—gentle, subdued. “Christine, please forgive me. I don’t know why I said such a thing.” Again she hesitated. “Well, the truth is, I
do
know. I didn’t want it to work between us. You see, I’m old and set in my ways and very afraid of change. Mark tells me you’re alone, and I think maybe we need each other.” Emily’s voice became quieter as she spoke, showing Christine that in this area she was as vulnerable as she was. Emily’s voice was just above a whisper when she asked, “Will you stay, Christine?” This woman’s honesty went straight to Christine’s heart. She felt a sting behind her eyes and a tightness in her throat, enabling her to only nod and smile.
    Mark’s laugh of relief brought all three to their feet. He hugged Grandma Em and then surprised Christine by hugging her also. She had also felt surprised that morning when, after thanking Susanne and Maggie for everything, they had grabbed her and hugged her too. Spontaneous displays of affection were foreign to Christine, but she was beginning to like it.
    Mark took his leave after Grandma Em served coffee. The two women spent the remainder of the day working in the garden, sharing companionable conversation, listening and learning with no doubt in either heart that they had found something special.
    Christine snuggled down into the covers of the big oak bed. Her bed! The thought felt wonderful. She realized as she lay there that she and Grandma Em had spent so much time outdoors that the only rooms she had really seen were the parlor and kitchen and her own room. Her own bedroom! A feeling of contentment washed over her. Drifting off to sleep with her mind becoming foggy, she would have been hard-pressed to tell you if she had a single care in the world.

    â€œAre you sure no one saw you?”
    â€œNo, Mr. Jeffers, no one saw me.”
    â€œYou went alone?”
    â€œYes, sir.”
    â€œWhere did you say you found this?” Vince Jeffers held out a small piece of paper.
    â€œIn the closet, in the pocket of a skirt.”
    â€œDid you read it?”
    â€œNo, sir, I never learned.” The small man stared at the carpet as he mumbled this. He looked up as he heard paper rustlingand found Vince Jeffers reading the note. He watched as the man’s jaw clenched and then threw the paper to the desk.
    â€œThe note is from Carl Maxwell.” The small man’s eyes widened at this information. “He told her to go to a friend of his in Fall Creek—a Mr. Franklin, it says.” Vince Jeffers’ voice became very calm as he continued. “Let’s call around and visit Carl Maxwell, shall we? We’ll ask him about this Mr. Franklin in Fall Creek. It’s nearly midnight, but I’m sure we can convince him to talk with us.”
    The small man followed as Vince led the way out of the room. Once outside Vince spoke again, softly and more to himself than to the man behind him.
    â€œFall Creek. I wonder why he sent her to Fall Creek. Well, it doesn’t matter. Even if she’s not there, wherever she is I’ll find her, and when I do”—he paused, a cold smile playing over his thin lips—”when I do, everything will be mine.”

11

    At 9:30 a.m. Mrs Hall opened the door to admit the sheriff.
    â€œThank you for coming so soon. I just had to see you.” Mrs. Hall’s voice was anxious.
    â€œOf course, Mrs. Hall. The stable boy said you had news.”
    â€œYes. Well, you see, I remembered the day before Christine disappeared”—Mrs. Hall’s voice shook and she stopped to take a breath. “The day before Christine disappeared, Carl Maxwell was here. He didn’t stay to see Christine, but he left a note for her. I delivered it to her myself.”
    â€œDid you read the note?”
    â€œNo, of course not.” Mrs. Hall’s voice was