Her Country Heart by Reggi Allder Read Free Book Online

didn’t want you concerned. You had enough to worry about with Bobby being sick. Any money you had needed to go for his care.”
    “But that doesn’t tell me why Granny thought she owed Wyatt.”
    Sophie spit out a sigh. “Well, you see—he was doin real good on the rodeo circuit. When he heard about grandpa needing help, he just up and paid for the hospice care. Wouldn’t listen to nobody. He just signed a check and that was that.”
    Amy gasped. “I’m shocked. Why would he pay Grandpa’s bill?”
    “Guess he had his reasons. You know after his mama died, he was a wild teen nobody wanted. Wyatt’s dad didn’t want a kid reminding him of the woman he’d just divorced. So, he just left him to manage on his own.”
    Sophie stopped and gazed out the window, her tense expression pulling her lips into a thin line and her eyes narrowed in sadness. “An angry teen, Wyatt was heading for no good. Probably be in jail by now if Granny hadn’t stepped in and helped him. So, when Granny needed money for Grandpa, Wyatt paid.” Sophie stared at her. “Honey, I got to tell you when that cowboy makes up his mind to do something, isn’t nobody going to change it.”
    The woman pushed a stray hair out of her face and forced it back under the hairnet she wore. “Your grandma never forgot what Wyatt did for Grandpa. And she’s wasn’t the type of woman to go to “her maker” without she paid her debts first.”
    “But…”Amy tried to interrupt.
    “She gave the only thing of value she had, half the farm. I knew what she’d done, but she swore me to secrecy. She didn’t tell you or Wyatt. I imagine he was as surprised as you when he heard it at the reading of the will.”
    “I’m totally stunned.”
    The doorbell jingled and two teenagers dressed in jeans and t-shirts walked into the ice cream parlor.
    “I’ll be right back.” Sophie hurried from the table.
    “What can I get you kids?” Sophie asked.
    “We want two cones, one double scoop of chocolate on a sugar cone and one scoop of strawberry on a regular cone.”
    Amy pushed back the new information about Wyatt, Too much to digest, instead she glanced at the teens . Nothing much for them to do here in the summer or the winter for that matter. She remembered how bored she was, so ready to get out of town and go to the big city.
    Outside the window, the town’s people strolled by. She watched and recognized a few faces. Years earlier she could have named everyone. On the street of San Francisco, she’d usually seen only strangers in the crowds.
    Here the people waved to each other and stopped to chat. There seemed to be no rush. It was as if the clock moved slower here, time enough to enjoy each moment.
    The little bell on the front door sounded again and Amy glanced up expecting to see the teens leave. Instead, Vanna, her friend, and Sophie’s daughter, rushed through the door. Her long blonde hair pulled into a ponytail, her beautiful face devoid of makeup, green eyes glistening, she waved to her mother. “Mom, is Amy here yet?”
    Before Sophie could answer Amy shouted and jumped up to greet Vanna with a hug. “Hey.”
    “Hey yourself, Amy.”
    “I’ll make you a sundae just like the one I made for Amy,” Sophie shouted, a metal ice cream scoop in her hand.
    “Just a diet coke Mom. Thanks.”
    “Still watching your weight? You’re fine. You should eat something.”
    “I know Mom, but if I don’t watch my weight, no man will want to watch me.” She winked.
    “You look great.” Amy smiled. “When I was in San Francisco I saw you on TV in a shampoo commercial.”
    “Thanks. My one claim to fame.” Vanna wrinkled her nose and laughed. “So, Amy, how was the city?”
    Sophie brought a glass of coke to the table and then left to wait on a new customer.
    “I loved San Francisco. It’s beautiful. A great place to visit, but it’s awfully expensive to live there. And I learned there’s too much country left in me to live in any city. I