Lanterns and Lace by DiAnn Mills Read Free Book Online Page A

unless—”
    “Unless what?” Grant’s integrity had been questioned enough in the past. He thought the town gossip had ended a year ago, but here it was again rearing its ugly head.
    “Apologize to the man.” Pete leaned over the counter and stuck his finger in Lester’s face. “You may have a lot of money, Lester, but if I refuse to sell you anything, you’ll have a far piece to ride for supplies.”
    “It’s all right,” Grant said. “No harm done.”
    Lester turned and left the store without his tobacco. Pete laid it aside. “He’ll be back when he realizes his pipe’s empty. Sorry about what he said, Grant.”
    “And I didn’t like what he said about Ellen and Frank.” Indignation simmered inside him. “Ellen’s lived with the Widow Lewis ever since Jessica died. No point in dragging up the girl’s past. Everyone has a right to start over.”
    “Well, Widow Lewis needed someone to look after her, and I understand Ellen does a right smart job,” Pete said. “Besides that, she works hard here at the store. The only reason she isn’t waiting on Lester is because the missus needed her to help with tonight’s dinner. Fine girl. I’m proud of her.”
    “I despise gossip,” Grant said.
    “So did our Lord. I should have reminded Lester about that, too.”
    Grant laughed. “You can when he comes back for his tobacco.”
    “I’ll take this hat and shirt,” a voice said.
    Grant whirled around to see Aubrey Turner holding a new Stetson and a blue shirt.
    “I’m sorry. Didn’t see you standing over there,” Pete said. “Did you find all you needed?”
    “I surely did.” He handed his purchases to Grant and stuck out his hand. “Good to see you again.”
    Grant nodded. Something about the man bothered him. I’m getting as judgmental as Lester. He shook Turner’s hand. “Are you enjoying our town?”
    “Quite a bit. I’m relaxing and waiting on Jenny to recover.”
    “She’s recovering nicely.”
    “And still at your home?”
    Grant stiffened. The sarcasm in Turner’s tone hadn’t gone unnoticed. “As a matter of fact, she is. Were you planning to pay a call?”
    Turner smiled. “Jenny and I will have plenty of time together in the days to come. She is most anxious to uncover Jessica’s past. However, you can give her my regards.”
    “My pleasure.”
    Jenny must have lied about her relationship with Aubrey Turner. This proved it without a doubt.

Chapter 6
    Jenny’s first impression of Piney Woods Church and the two-story parsonage beside it was of picturesque serenity. The church fairly glistened with white paint, and an equally sparkling picket fence separated the building and the house. Vines of deep red roses wound their way through the back portion of the fence, while bushes of yellow and white lantana cuddled against the side of the parsonage.
    Directly behind the church, under a towering grove of pine trees, a narrow path led to Piney Woods Cemetery. Grant’s wagon made its way past dense undergrowth, carrying Jenny and Rebecca to an open meadow of marked and unmarked graves. A few sites hosted large tombstones, richly engraved with eloquent epitaphs, but most graves held simple wooden crosses or modest headstones carved with only a brevity of words. Friends and family members of the deceased obviously added fresh flowers to the graves and kept the area neat and free from weeds.
    Jenny smelled the fresh grass and the faint scent of wildflowers. If she’d felt more comfortable with Grant, she’d have asked him to point out the source. As it was, she chose to ride in silence, attempting without success to rid her mind of the prospect of viewing Jessica’s grave.
    Grant followed a well-worn trail, pulling the horse to a halt where it could graze. Stepping down from the wagon, he first lifted Rebecca from Jenny’s lap. She carried a single rose with the stem wrapped in a cloth to protect her little hands from thorns. He then offered Jenny his hand. His smile sent a