How Sweet It Is by Bonnie Blythe Read Free Book Online Page A

stop to stop,
Delphine felt separated from everything around her. A hectic
yearning filled her—a longing for something better than this day to
day existence—for a comfortable income and freedom from exhaustion
and the clinging, petty financial stresses which weighed on her
soul.
    Last night before bed, she’d tried to pray
and ask for wisdom. A part of her wondered why she bothered.
Regardless of her supplications, her plans always seemed to go
awry. More disenchantment seemed her only answer.
    You got home from Paris, didn’t you?
    Delphine blew out a breath
as the thought occurred to her. She was ashamed at her ungrateful
attitude. Yes, miraculously, I got home
from Paris. Thank You, Lord . She let her
eyes close for a moment, wishing she had more faith. Everything
seemed to be such a battle.
    She supposed it would help if she went to
church once in a while. But when? Her only day off was Monday and
most churches didn’t offer services of any kind then. Besides, it
was easy to put off when her bed promised oblivion. In church,
she’d have to examine her heart. She already knew she’d fallen
short, so why go to the effort?
    Delphine pressed her lips together and tried
to concentrate on the passing scenery. The neighborhoods and
buildings sat shrouded in the early morning shadows. In a few homes
she could see lights on inside. What kind of day were others waking
up to? Maybe her hopes of a comfortable life were unrealistic. She
couldn’t be the only one struggling to survive.
    The bus stopped to let on a passenger.
Delphine leaned her forehead on the cool, smudged glass, too tired
to hold up her head a moment longer. A tree next to the curb caught
her attention. A little brown bird hopped from branch to branch,
tilting its head as if wondering at the smelly, lumbering beast
next to it. The bird opened its tiny beak and poured forth a series
of liquid notes she could just hear through the glass.
    The bus engine roared to life, eclipsing the
echo of sound until she wondered if she’d only imagined it.
    His eye is on the
sparrow .
    Delphine lifted her head and looked around.
Had anyone else heard those words? Her gaze only met the blank,
uninterested faces of the other passengers. Swallowing, she felt a
film of tears burn her eyes. A portion of her frustration eased at
the idea God might be reminding her of His presence.
    Delphine thought once again of Brad’s offer.
After being turned down by the SBA, chances were even bleaker for
her to secure any kind of loan. In the grim hours of fatigue and
mental weariness to come, she knew if she didn’t take him up on his
offer, she’d later regret it.
    The bus pitched to a stop. Delphine rose and
exited onto the sidewalk. She took a deep breath of the sweet
morning air before it became polluted with the diesel fumes from
the bus.
    I’ll put that proposal
together as soon as possible .
     
    ****
     
    Determination, fueled by hope, made the
morning speed by in a blur. Delphine waited on customers, and after
the first rush, was left alone to work the counter. She’d just
completed wiping down emptied tables when a customer entered.
    She looked up, and seeing a friendly face,
hurried behind the counter to take his order. “Chocolate glazed
doughnut and black coffee today, Mr. Hartung?”
    The man grinned. “You know an old
stick-in-the-mud like me too well.”
    While she placed the doughnut on a plate and
filled a heavy mug with black coffee, he leaned against the
counter.
    “I thought you must’ve quit when I didn’t
see you here for a week.”
    Delphine smiled. “I took a little break.”
    “Well, I know the boss here runs you ragged
so I’m glad to hear that. Do anything special? Spend time with your
beau?”
    “Not enough time for a beau,” she said,
enjoying his banter. She knew some of the other female co-workers
were annoyed by his nosiness, but Delphine sensed he was a little
lonely. And who better to recognize it than another loner?
    Besides, not only did