Bluebells on the Hill by Barbara McMahon Read Free Book Online Page A

ever envisage such a time. Still, if he
were planning to 'get her with kindness', she’d try to make him
smile more. What a challenge that might be.
    Amanda turned to her purchases. She reached
up to remove her hat, then paused. Walking to the bathroom, she
peeked at herself in the mirror. Cora Rosefeld certainly could not
have been a vain woman, the sole mirror in the cabin was the one
over the bathroom sink. What Amanda saw when she peered in pleased
her. The pale gray hat was attractive, its silvery color bringing a
glow to her skin. Her blue eyes seemed deeper, her skin smoother.
Tipping it down over one eye, she tried for a seductive look.
Pushing it flat back gave her an open, friendly look. She giggled,
tilting her head to one side. Which mood would work best with Mr.
Mac Mackenzie?
    Tiring of her game, she returned to put away
her groceries, then turned to her other purchases. She tore the
paper from the large cushions, arranging them near the wall. The
fresh colors in the cushions only emphasized the dirty, faded
condition of the walls. She would have to paint soon. The soft
blues and greens brightened the living room, made it prettier
already. Two small lacy cushions gave a feminine accent to the
rather rugged cabin. Lastly, a small rug, to place before the
cushions and, later, before a sofa when she bought one.
    She stepped back to admire.
    It was almost like Christmas, with all the
new packages, she thought as she drew out the combination radio/CD
player. She inserted the batteries according to the directions,
tuning in to a local station. The gentle strains of the music
filled the room, making it instantly more comfortable. A home, now,
no longer just a old house in the woods.
    As the radio played softly in the background,
Amanda drew the last purchase from its wrapper, a large
sloping-sided black pan, with ridges along one side. A pan to use
in panning for gold: the black color to facilitate spotting the
golden flakes or nuggets, the ridges to offer resistance for the
heavier metal when the water washed out the sand and grit of
lighter materials. Tilting and swishing, she tried to practice what
the salesgirl had shown her, a small smile of happiness on her lips
as she pretended she was already panning for gold.
    Tomorrow she'd go up to her creek on her
hill, near her bluebells, and try her luck. What fun!
    A rap at the door startled her. Glancing
around almost guiltily, she quickly stashed the tell-tale pan in
the kitchen, out of sight. Going to the door, she found
John-Michael, guitar in hand, smiling shyly at her.
    'Hi.' He sounded unsure of his welcome.
    'Hi, yourself. Time for another lesson?'
    'Yes, if you have time.'
    'Sure, come on in. I just got back from
shopping.'
    'I know, you weren't home earlier. I came by.
If it's not convenient, I'll come another time. I got a guitar,' he
offered shyly.
    'I can see, good brand. Come in and sit down.
No not there, use one of the chairs; those cushions won't give
proper position. Good posture is important. You don’t want anything
to interfere with your hands and arms. Did you practice the chords
I showed you the other day?'
    'Yes.' John-Michael strummed a few times,
changing the chords.
    'Good. I'll get my guitar and we'll get
started.' Amanda took off her hat, tossing it casually on to the
table. She pulled out another chair, turning it so it faced
John-Michael, then got her guitar.
    'You look kind of familiar, like I've seen
you before,' John-Michael commented as Amanda strummed a few
chords.
    'You have, just a day ago. Let's get
started.' She bent her head to look at her guitar. Blast, she had
forgotten John-Michael had some of her albums. Her eyes were
distinctive enough, even with her hair pulled back and a changed
environment, for her to stand out. She should have put the tinted
glasses back on. Oh, well, take his mind off it and maybe he'd let
it go.
    'Now, try these strings; fingers here.'
Amanda watched as John-Michael faithfully followed her