Angel Creek by Linda Howard Read Free Book Online

others simply because she needed it so much herself. Not even to her mother could she reveal her inner fears, because Honora would then find it necessary to confide in Olivia’s father and perhaps even in certain of her friends in town; in short, it would soon become common knowledge.
    Both of her parents would become so upset and make such a fuss that she simply couldn’t face it. She was their only child, having been born after Honorahad miscarried twice, and they had showered her with all of the devotion that should have been shared with a houseful of children. They wanted only the best for her; nothing else, in their eyes, was good enough. She would do anything to keep them from knowing how unhappy she was.
    So she bent her head over the embroidery and said nothing else on the subject, pushing her unhappiness to the back of her mind as she listened to Honora’s placid chatter about the upcoming social. Prosper had a rather active social life for a town its size, with various small parties and entertainments arranged throughout the year. Late each spring the women of the town put on a large picnic and dance, and everyone in the area was invited. The women in town took turns organizing the affair, and this spring was Honora’s turn. The older woman was in her element, planning and organizing, delegating, double-checking and triple-checking each detail. For weeks her conversation had consisted of how well or ill things were going, and today was no exception. Olivia listened patiently, offering advice whenever asked but for the most part providing only an audience, which was really all Honora wanted.
    As often as not, when Honora began reviewing her plans and accomplishments she eventually remembered some little detail that had to be taken care of immediately, and that day was no exception. She abruptly dropped the embroidery hoop to her lap and said, “Oh, dear.”
    The moment of crisis was so predictable that Olivia smiled with gentle amusement even as she asked, “Is something wrong?”
    â€œI completely forgot to arrange with Beatrice Padgett for us to use her punch set! I can’t believe it slipped my mind like that.”
    â€œI’m sure she takes it for granted that her punch set will be needed,” Olivia comforted. “After all, she’s the only person in town who owns over three hundred punch cups.”
    â€œStill, it would be terribly rude not to
ask
her, just to
assume
that her possessions are available for our use. I’ll write her a note right now,” Honora said, putting the hoop aside and rising to cross to her writing desk. “Do you have a moment to spare to take it to her, dear? I simply have too much to do this afternoon, though I’d love to visit with Beatrice, but you know how she talks. It’s practically impossible to get away from her once she gets started.”
    â€œOf course,” Olivia said, gladly putting her own embroidery hoop aside. She was very good at needlework, but that didn’t mean she enjoyed it. “I think I’ll go for a ride while I’m out.” She wanted to be alone for a while; maybe a brisk ride would banish her melancholy, which lingered as a hollow feeling deep inside despite her efforts to push it away. Or maybe she would visit Dee. As soon as she had the thought she realized that was exactly what she needed. Dee’s implacable logic always went straight to the heart of a matter, and she always said exactly what she thought. Olivia needed that kind of clear thinking right now.
    She went upstairs to change into her riding habit while Honora set about writing. By the time she came back down the stairs Honora was folding the note.
    â€œThere,” she said, tucking the paper into Olivia’s pocket. “Take your time, dear, and do tell Beatricethat I’m sorry I couldn’t come myself, but I promise to visit her soon to go over all the plans for the social.”
    The Millicans