Ready to Wed by Melody Carlson Read Free Book Online

the kitchen, Jane. I explained that we prefer to have the kitchen to ourselves during meal preparation. However, I told her I’d bring her some coffee.”
    “Breakfast is on the way,” said Jane as she checked the waffles, which looked just about perfect.
    “Would you care to come out and meet our guest?” Louise asked Kenneth.
    “Certainly,” he told her as he refilled his cup with decaf.
    Jane put the finishing touches on breakfast, setting it on the kitchen table so that she and Louise could transport the warm platters to the dining room table. When they entered the dining room, Kenneth and Belle seemed to be hitting it off, casually chatting about the weather and the church’s slight water problem that he’d been investigating. Finally they were all seated at the table.
    “Well, isn’t this lovely,” said Belle happily. “So homey and sweet and everything smells absolutely delicious.” She beamed at Kenneth, who was sitting across from her. “And I’ll just bet you’re the man to say the blessing too. It’s so nice to have a member of the clergy joining us for breakfast.”
    As Louise bowed her head, a little alarm went off inside of her. Had Belle already set her sights on poor Kenneth? Of course, he didn’t have on a wedding ring, but as far as Louise knew, no one had mentioned his marital status just yet. Why would they? But perhaps Belle had radar about such things. Louise wouldn’t be a bit surprised.

Chapter Five
    S o, I hear you’re from a small town in Georgia, Belle.” Kenneth passed the platter with egg sand ham across to their guest, and she smiled shyly at him. Carefully made up and dressed in a pale pink pantsuit today, Belle looked very pretty.
    “Why, yes, that’s right, Rev. Thompson. Warbler, Georgia. It’s an itty-bitty town in southwest Georgia. I recently moved back there from Atlanta. I’d been in Atlanta about ten years, but I’m just not a big-city girl. At first, I liked all the things there were to do and all the great shopping, but after a few years, all that traffic and noise and hustle-bustle got to me.”
    “It must’ve been a great relief to get back to your hometown.” He smiled in a congenial, pastoral way. A completely unsuspecting way, thought Louise as she poured warm maple syrup onto her waffle.
    “Oh, I suppose it was something of a relief,” said Belle. “But things had changed there. Most of my friends had moved on, and my parents had relocated to Florida acouple years back. So, I guess it wasn’t quite what I’d hoped for. Still, it’s a sight better than Atlanta. That’s for certain.”
    “Belle is thinking about Acorn Hill for her new residence,” said Louise in a way that suggested she was not completely sure about this idea.
    “Really.” Rev. Thompson nodded with a surprised expression. “That’s a pretty big move to make. What motivates you to want to do this? Do you have any friends up here?”
    “No. The truth of the matter is, before showing up here, I didn’t know a single soul in this sweet little town. Then I met the lovely Howard sisters and their dear aunt Ethel, who has promised to show me around town today.”
    The pastor nodded, but he looked even more confused. “Yes, they are definitely a delightful family.”
    “So, I really do think I’m off to a very good start.” Belle smiled happily.
    “I still don’t quite understand how you can be so certain that you want to move up here so soon, Belle. Didn’t you only arrive yesterday?” Rev. Thompson asked.
    “That’s right.” She winked at Jane. “Oh, I suppose I might as well just spill the beans. After all, the pastor, being a godly man, should appreciate such things, don’t y’all think?”
    “Oh yes,” said Jane, trying not to chuckle. “I’m sure he should.”
    “Well, it all started with a dream,” she began in a mysterious tone. “A very specific dream that I believe came from God. It was very, very real.” She addressed the sisters. “I didn’t