Finally Home by Dawn Michele Werner Read Free Book Online Page B

and glanced at the oval clock above her television. “It’s already eight o’clock. Mind if we turn in early, Grandma? I don’t want to talk about the ranch anymore.”
    “ The ranch--or Noah?”
    “ Oh, please, let’s just get ready for bed. The guest room is all yours,” Amanda kicked off her heels and shuffled to her answering machine where she noticed a blinking red light.
    “ Ok, sweetie. Actually, I think I’ll welcome turning in early. That flight, and then the taxi ride over here from the airport, just exhausted me. I’ve never been a happy traveler,” she chattered on. “I already put my suitcase in the guest room, since I arrived before you did. It’ll be funny! I’ll be staying in the guestroom that you and your mom used to use. For once, I’m the guest...”
    Unfortunately, Amanda’s attention had shifted from her grandmother’s chatter a while back when she had noticed the message light blinking on her answering machine. She pressed a button with her finger and waited for the message to play. It was from Thomas’ attorney.
    Grandma Kate walked down the hall from her room and entered the living room after her grandchild did not respond to a question she asked. “Amanda, you’re not listening to me, are you girl?”
    Amanda’s brows were drawn together in confusion. She tapped a finger on the answering machine. “Sorry, Grandma--I just listened to a message from Henry Wilder.”
    “ Oh how’s he doing? Before Grandpa and I left, Henry and his wife found out they were having another baby! And they’re both in their fifties!”
    The serious expression on Amanda’s face caused Grandma Kate to sit down on the living room sofa.
    “ Amanda, what’s wrong?”
    “ I don’t think there’s anything wrong--I’m just a little confused,” she crossed her arms over her chest and moved toward her grandmother. “Mr. Wilder said that I need to attend the reading of Thomas’ will on Monday. He said it is very important.”
    “ Why is that so confusing?” she patted the sofa cushion beside her. Amanda sat beside her grandmother.
    “ I wasn’t expecting to be in Thomas’ will.”
    “ Don’t be so shocked. You were like a daughter to him.”
    “ But it seems like you and grandpa would be in the will, too.”
    “ But Thomas knew that we wanted Florida to be our life after we moved. I’m sure he didn’t put us in his will because he was aware of that.”
    “ Well, I guess I’ll stop...” she yawned loudly, “...analyzing. It’s nice that Thomas would even think of me.”
    “ Maybe he left a piece of furniture to you. Or even better, one of the horses!”
    Amanda rubbed her tired eyes. She didn’t want to think of what Thomas could have left her. His death was still too fresh in her mind. “Maybe so, Grandma.”
    “ Oh my child, go take your bath and get some sleep. We can spend all day tomorrow however you want. I just want to see you happy.”
    Noah’s face flashed across Amanda’s mind when her grandmother mentioned happiness. “I love you,” she kissed her grandmother’s cheek.
    “ Love you, too.”
    “ No waking up with the roosters tomorrow!”
    “ All right, I’ll sleep ‘til at least seven,” Grandma Kate chuckled.
    Amanda shook her head in defeat. “You’re one in a million, Grandma,” she stood and then smiled. “And thank you for picking me as your granddaughter.”
    “ Get to bed now,” she playfully slapped Amanda’s thigh. “I don’t want a grouchy grandchild tomorrow because she didn’t get enough sleep!”
    “ Ok, ok,” Amanda combed her fingers through her long hair. “See you in the morning.”
    Grandma Kate stayed behind after Amanda scurried off to her room. Then she went to the answering machine and played Henry Wilder’s message. She didn’t want to tell her granddaughter about the feeling she had...the feeling that Thomas may have left Amanda more than a piece of furniture.
    ********
    Amanda sipped her mocha latte, then placed the cup