Each Shining Hour by Jeff High Read Free Book Online

and admiration for her sibling. It occurred to me that perhaps her railings were driven more by a desire to protect, to keep her sister’s seemingly innocent outlook on the world unspoiled. They were an odd pair.
    Suddenly, Estelle slapped her hand down hard on the table, causing Rhett, my faithful but sometimes lethargic golden retriever, to sit up with a start. “I’ve got it!”
    Connie responded in clutched alarm. “What’s wrong with you, girl, slamming the table like you’re killing a bug?”
    Estelle giggled with a gesture of dismissal. “No, silly. I know what I can do. I can give Louise Fox a job at the bakery.”
    Connie closed her eyes and let her head drop in resignation. “Oh heavens, girl, I don’t know where you think you are, but we need to book you a flight back to reality. You haven’t even met the woman.”
    â€œDoesn’t mean I won’t like her.”
    â€œDoesn’t mean she wants to work in a bakery either.”
    â€œI bet she’d be glad to work in a bakery and I’m sure she’s likable. Do you like her, Dr. Bradford?”
    Once again I was being sucked into the vortex of a Pillow sisters’ argument. I enjoyed being a spectator, but not a participant. Diversion was the best tactic.
    â€œSo. I take it there is agreement to move forward with the bakery? Where are you thinking about putting it?”
    Estelle responded, “I’m meeting with the bank tomorrow at ten about a property they own in the old Hatcher Building. It used to be a bakery years ago.”
    â€œOh, wow! Are you talking about the place that was once called Oscar’s Bakery?”
    â€œI think so. I found out the bank owns it. The bank president didn’t want to show it to me at first. When he realized I was Connie’s sister, he got all down in the mouth about it and finally agreed.”
    To my surprise, Connie responded loudly, with a tinge of panic. “You didn’t tell me about this. Why there?”
    Clearly, Estelle had sensed the intensity of Connie’s sudden apprehension.
    â€œWell, dear, let’s see. It’s near all the downtown businesses. It has the right zoning. There’s lots of parking. It’s in that beautifulold Hatcher Building with all that stonework and glass and marble. Seems to be a perfect location.”
    Connie had regained her composure. She sat with folded arms, weighing each word. After what seemed an eternity, she pursed her lips and nodded.
    â€œI guess you’re right. It might be a good possibility.”
    But Estelle wasn’t satisfied. “So what got into you just now? Why are you all in a state about that place?”
    â€œIt’s nothing. I just had a silly notion in my head. It’s not anything that matters anymore.” Then, with noticeable effort, she inquired softly, “Why don’t I come with you in the morning? If you’re meeting with Randall Simmons, you might need some backup. He can be a little proud.”
    I spoke before Estelle could answer. “Why don’t we all go? I wouldn’t mind seeing the place myself. Not sure I’ll be much help, but I’d like to tag along.” There was a larger curiosity behind my interest, a desire to peek into the past regarding anything associated with Oscar Fox.
    Estelle was ecstatic, almost giddy. Connie smiled lightly with a stoic resolve. The matter was settled. The two sisters rose from the table and began to clean up.
    I, on the other hand, was now anxiously consumed with a completely different matter.

CHAPTER 7
    The Windup
    C onnie and Estelle scurried around the kitchen keeping up a relentless chatter, much of it in a language I could barely discern. Apparently, over the years the sisters had developed cryptic idioms, catchphrases of one word that replaced a dozen, and even, on occasion, a casual injection of Latin. Even more intriguing, none of it seemed to involve the immediate