Debbie Macomber's Cedar Cove Series, Volume 3 by Debbie Macomber Read Free Book Online

there.”
    â€œDid Bobby put her purse by the front door again?”
    Teri grinned at the memory. As Christie recalled, hermother had vowed never to return. That vow, like every other one she’d made through the years, had turned out to be meaningless.
    â€œI think Bobby was tempted to show Mom the door, but for my sake he restrained himself.”
    â€œHe’s a good man.”
    Her sister’s eyes softened. “He is,” she agreed.
    â€œHow’s Johnny doing?” Their little brother held a special place in Christie’s heart. Between them, the two sisters had practically raised him.
    Christie was as proud as any mother when Johnny was accepted into the University of Washington. Having Bobby Polgar as a brother-in-law hadn’t hurt. Teri had never said as much, but it didn’t take a college degree to add two and two. Johnny never could have afforded the tuition and other expenses on his own, and there hadn’t been any scholarships.
    â€œHe made the dean’s list.”
    â€œI’m thrilled for him!” She’d have to call Johnny soon, congratulate him.
    â€œMe, too.” Teri sipped her tea. “I’ve been worried about you.”
    â€œI know.” Christie’s declarations of strength and independence were a lot of bravado. Spending Friday night at The Pink Poodle was testament to that. Waking up with a hangover wasn’t the way she wanted to live the rest of her life. It wasn’t the way she intended to live it, either.
    â€œYou know what I was thinking?” Christie said a bit sheepishly, half afraid Teri would laugh.
    â€œNo, tell me.”
    She gave a self-conscious shrug. “I handed out charity baskets with that group from the Methodist church at Christmas.”
    â€œYes, you mentioned that.”
    â€œThey were nice people.”
    Teri laughed. “Don’t sound so surprised.”
    Actually, she was. Christie had expected those church people to make some comment about her lifestyle. Instead, everyone was friendly and welcoming. She hadn’t been back, although she wasn’t sure why.
    â€œI’m going to go to church.” Having said as much, Christie held her breath and waited for Teri’s reaction.
    â€œWhy do you say it like that?” Teri asked in a puzzled voice.
    â€œLike what?”
    â€œLike you’re standing up at an AA meeting and making a confession. Lots of people attend church, you know.”
    â€œWhat about you?”
    â€œI go every now and then, and I always feel good afterward. I don’t have anything against going to church and you shouldn’t, either.”
    â€œI want to live a better life,” Christie said, remembering how she’d felt when she was delivering the charity baskets. Instead of being so self-absorbed, so consumed by her own loss, she’d reached out to help others less fortunate.
    â€œThat’s what I want, too,” Teri echoed. “A better life than our mother’s, a better life for my child…er, children.” Teri grinned as she said it.
    â€œPastor Flemming wrote a note to thank me for volunteering,” Christie said. The letter sat on the kitchen counter and she picked it up. When it first arrived, she’d been feeling depressed and had given it a cursory glance. The only thing she remembered was something about a backpack program sponsored by the church. She decided to find out what that was.
    â€œWill you come to church with me on Sunday?” Christie asked.
    Teri didn’t even hesitate. “Of course.”
    â€œThanks.”
    â€œI’d get up and hug you,” Teri said, “but I’m too comfortable where I am.”
    Christie laughed and stretched out a hand to clasp her sister’s.

Five
    S heriff Troy Davis closed the file concerning the break-in at Faith’s home. Unfortunately, there’d been no progress, and he felt he should deliver the disappointing news in person.