When the Heart Heals by Ann Shorey Read Free Book Online

doing?” Jolene stood inside the gate. Bodie leaned against her leg, his feathery tail waving.
    Rosemary lowered her makeshift weapon, feeling foolish. “When Bodie growled, I thought—well, never mind. Please, follow me. We’ll have to go in the back way. The front door is locked.” She hoped the fading light concealed her flushed face. After replacing the shovel in the greenhouse, she led the way into the kitchen.
    â€œI hope you don’t mind me coming unexpected.” Jolene’s anxious eyes sought hers. Her pale face looked thinner than it had the previous week. She swayed and caught herself on the edge of the table.
    Alarmed, Rosemary slid a chair behind her. “Of course I don’t mind.” She sat, facing her visitor. “It doesn’t look like you’re feeling any better. Have you been drinking the tea?”
    â€œSome. It doesn’t help, miss. I’m still sick most of the time. I only worked one day last week.” She leaned forward. “Do you have anything else I could try?”
    â€œSadly, no. I wish I did.”
    Jolene wilted. “Guess that’s it, then. My roommates told me I couldn’t live there without paying. Miss Lytle gave me the name of a place in Ohio that takes girls like me.” She shook her head. “I don’t even have enough money to pay for a shared room. How will I get to Ohio?”
    â€œI don’t know about Ohio, but for now you can stay with me. I have an extra bedroom upstairs.” The words escaped her lips before she had time to think.
    â€œOh, miss, I couldn’t.”
    â€œOf course you could.” Rosemary waved her hand toward the sitting room. “It’s lonely here since my brother married. I’d appreciate the company.” She ignored the voice in her head that screamed, “What are you doing? You can barely feed yourself!”
    Tears welled up under Jolene’s lashes. “I don’t know what to say.” She pushed to her feet. “I’ll go get my things.”
    Rosemary placed a steadying hand on the girl’s arm. “Not tonight. You need rest. Tomorrow I’ll ask my brother to help you.” She bit her lip, wondering what Curt’s reaction would be to her decision. She had the uncomfortable feeling he wouldn’t be happy.

6
    T he following day, Rosemary left Dr. Stewart’s office at noon and hurried to Lindberg’s Mercantile. Faith greeted her with a hug.
    â€œI’m so glad to see you. Mornings are lonely without you and Bodie to keep me company.”
    â€œWe still have Sundays at church and after, but I agree. It’s not the same.” Rosemary walked to the woodstove and held her hands toward the warmth.
    Faith glanced out the window before joining her. “Where’s Bodie?”
    â€œHe’s staying home with . . . my guest. That’s why I came.” She swallowed. “Would you please ask Curt to stop by Dr. Stewart’s office this afternoon? I kind of promised he’d help her move her things.”
    Faith settled into one of the chairs beside the stove and patted the other one for Rosemary. “I’ll ask him when he gets here after school. Now, are you going to tell me what this is about?”
    â€œA girl came to see Dr. Stewart last week, complaining of nausea.” She smiled to herself, remembering his kindness to Jolene. “After he checked her for symptoms and found nothing amiss, he asked her if she might be with child.”
    Faith raised a questioning eyebrow.
    Rosemary nodded affirmation. After explaining Jolene’s circumstances, she said, “I invited her to stay with me.” She held up a hand. “Before you say anything, I know it will be difficult. But I couldn’t just stand by. What if she’s wrong about her mother and father? They might miss her and want her home.”
    â€œAnd if they don’t?” Faith’s sympathetic gaze rested on