Her Country Heart by Reggi Allder Read Free Book Online Page A

missed all the things I thought I wanted to escape, open spaces, blue skies and hot nights and hotter days, even nosy people, who know your business.”
    Amy took a spoon of the melted ice cream and savored the chocolate flavor. “I’m so tired of busy people who won’t give you the time of day if you can’t do something for them first. Who won’t take the time to get to know you and are always looking for an angle. Sorry, if I sound bitter. I don’t mean too. Never mind. Like I said, I’m just tired.”
    “Listen Amy, I just came from the wilds of the Los Angeles with its freeways and second stage smog alerts and millions of people clogging the streets. Everybody’s rushing to make a buck so they can afford to stay in LA instead of going back home to some Podunk town. I’m with you. I was never so glad to beat a retreat home.
    They both laughed.
    “You’re so talented you should be a star in Hollywood.”
    “Yeah, I was going to set the world of show business on fire.” Vanna took a sip of coke. “All I got was a Los Angeles sunburn. Oh, and I discovered I was no different than the ten thousand other blondes from all over the country that came by bus, plane and train to make it big in Hollywood.” She laughed without humor.
    “But you’re talented and beautiful too.”
    “Thanks. It’s hard to have an ego when you’re in a room full of beautiful women just as talented as you are. And every year they seemed to be younger, taller, and thinner than I am.”
    She finished her coke. “Anyway, I got sick of the smog, traffic, and crowds. Too much country in me too I guess.” Vanna smiled. “I didn’t much care what my clothes cost, or if they were made by the latest “fad” designer. Didn’t pine to own an imported sports car or live in Bel Air or Malibu. I woke up one day and realized I just didn’t much care about anything anymore. That’s when I knew it was time to come home.” Vanna glanced out the window.
    “Well here we are sitting in the same chairs at the same table in your mom’s shop. I guess we’ve come full circle.” She held up her half empty sundae glass and tapped Vanna’s glass of diet coke. “Here’s to us and a new start back in the old home town.”
    They both laughed.
    “It’s so good to see you Vanna.”
    “Same here Amy—darn good.”
    ***
    Amy stayed at the ice cream parlor until Vanna had to return to work at the local daycare center at the Methodist Church.
    As the director of the program, Vanna had promised there was space for Bobby. That was a great relief because until that moment she hadn’t been sure how she’d have time to run the farm and give Bobby the care and entertainment he needed and still earn enough money to pay the bills.
    On the way home she stopped at the grocery store to pick up a few things for the next couple of days. At the check stand about to pay for her food, she looked up and saw Mike Donnelly walking toward her.
    In high school everyone called him “Big Mike”. Not because he was so big, though he was six feet tall, but because his younger cousin was called “Little Mike”, though he was six feet tall as well.
    “Hey Amy.”
    “Hi Mike.”
    “I heard you were back.”
    “Yeah, just got here. You’re the manager right?”
    “Yep, for a couple of years now. I’ll help you out to your car.”
    “Thanks.”
    He carried her groceries to the wagon and put them in the back of the old Volvo.
    “Well—nice to see you Amy. You’re looking good.”
    “Thanks.” She got into the driver’s side of the car.
    “See you around.”
    “Yeah.” She waved goodbye. Big Mike had grown into a handsome guy with wavy blonde hair, hazel eyes, and an easy grin. Unlike Wyatt, there was nothing brooding about him. He was just as open and friendly as she remembered from high school.
    On the way out of town she stopped at Andy’s General Store and picked up a couple of puzzles and a coloring book with farm animals inside, a