A Stranger in Wynnedower by Grace Greene Read Free Book Online Page A

great.”
    “Mugs are in there.” He
nodded toward the cabinets next to the fridge. “Don’t worry too much about him.
I used to be that age. I remember, at least vaguely. Let him live his life.”
    Rachel was taken aback,
but calmly took a mug from the shelf. “I don’t interfere in his life. In fact,
I’ve done everything I can to help him get a good, solid start in life. I want
him to be independent.”
    “Sorry, not my
business.” He turned away, as if his interest had evaporated with the rebuff.
    “No, I’m the one who’s
sorry. I’ve made it your business. Believe me, I don’t want to live through my
brother. I want to know he’s well and happy and then I can get on with my own
life.” She poured the coffee, added milk, then wiped the counter with a paper
towel, mopping up a few spilled drops as well as the stray crumbs from Jack’s
sandwich-making. She picked up the terrycloth towel to dry her hands.
    “I raised him. Well,
there was Aunt Eunice, but that’s another story.” She folded the towel and hung
it neatly over the oven door handle, then faced him squarely. “I have a lot of
nerve asking this, but I’d like to wait around a few days. Here.”
     He choked on his
coffee. Dark droplets splashed from his mug onto his shirt. She grabbed the
towel and rushed toward him, but he waved her back.
    Towel still in hand,
she continued, “His manager said Jeremy asked for leave, but he wouldn’t tell
me for how long. Plus, I’m hoping to get a chance at a job interview in
Richmond.” She refolded the towel as she finished, “I don’t know anyone else in
this area. I’ll stay out of your way.”
    He didn’t speak and she
added, “I can pay. Not a lot, but something.” She thought of the dingy walls
and half-hearted patching and painting. “I noticed signs of restoration going
on. I can help.”
    Jack leaned back in his
chair. She was being measured. Casually, she took the chair opposite him and
pulled her coffee cup closer.
    “Restoration? That’s a
pretty grand name for a project that never gets off the ground. The lack of
progress mirrors my ambivalence.”
    “Ambivalence?” She
spooned some sugar into the coffee and stirred it, focusing on the aroma.
    He crumpled the napkin
as he finished his sandwich. “Time, money and will.”
    Encouraged because he
hadn’t said ‘no,’ she asked, “What are your options, then, if you’re not sure
about restoration? If you don’t mind me asking.” She sipped the coffee, then
added another teaspoon of sugar.
    “I was away for several
years, only coming back now and then for short stays. Even when I’m here I
usually keep a caretaker because I can’t watch all four sides of the house.”
    He toyed with his mug,
pushing it in a circle. “I have to sell or renovate. Wynnedower used to be in
the middle of nowhere, but the city is coming out to meet us. Or suburbia is.”
He went silent and seemed to be thinking, then continued, “I had the house inspected.
It’s amazingly sound. Mostly needs cosmetic work, but even to re-shingle a roof
this size—well, the cost is prohibitive.”
    “Last night you called
it an anchor, but not in a good way. Anchors can mean stability.”
    “Anchors also hold you
in place; they hold you back.” His attention seemed to drift and he spoke as if
to himself. “I’m tired of anchors. I’d like to get rid of them, not take on
more.”
    Rachel seized the
opening. “I could help while I’m here. Watch for vandals and looters and such.
Plus, my car parked out front shows the house is occupied.”
    Jack shook his head.
“Too dangerous. These folks operate in secrecy and usually in the dark. Even
the not-so-dangerous ones can be if they’re surprised.”
    “I could alert you to
their presence.”
    He opened his mouth,
and then shut it. He was staring in the direction of her coffee. She took
another sip, trying not to grimace at the taste.
    “I could do some
painting and some lighter tasks. I can also make