Willow by Donna Lynn Hope Read Free Book Online Page B

minute.” I kicked off my shoes and ran upstairs with Pandora on my heels. It had been such a wonderful evening and as I sat on the couch with Anne she tucked the throw in around the both of us. Pandora settled herself near us and rested her head on her paws. Anne listened intently, taking periodic sips of caramel truffle tea, as I talked about the events of the evening. I noticed her expression change when I mentioned Reece and his father.
    “Jericho,” she stated.
    “Reece never told me his name.”
    “Yes, that’s his name. He’s a very interesting man. I’ve seen him around but he keeps to himself - the complete opposite of Reece,” she sighed.
    “You don’t like him?”
    “No, that’s not it at all. I find him very handsome but he has never noticed me,” she said.
    “I find that hard to believe. You shouldn’t assume. Everywhere we go people stare at you, men in awe, women resentfully.”
    Anne shrugged, looking slightly dejected. “Jericho lost his wife Rebecca, Reece’s mother, years ago. It was really tragic. She was so young.”
    She looked down and smoothed nonexistent wrinkles on the blanket. I looked at her and wondered if she had feelings for Jericho, but never acted on them. Anne was old-fashioned. She would never make the first move. I never saw her as insecure, quite the opposite really, but when assuming Jericho’s “lack of interest” in her, it almost seemed to pain her.
    But Jericho was so different than Anne. Jericho was rough around the edges whereas Anne was elegant and refined. I looked at Anne’s face and wanted nothing more than for her to be happy.
    “Life is too short to wait for what you want to come to you,” I began. “I know you’re not comfortable making the first move but you could at least try and get his attention.” I giggled in remembrance. “When I was little and I liked a boy, I would bake him cookies or brownies. I always seemed to get what I wanted when food was involved. Maybe you could bring him cupcakes.”
    It was Anne’s turn to laugh. “Maybe...You know something Willow; you’re pretty wise for your age…for any age actually.” Her face was solemn.
    I shook my head. “No, I’m not. I just know that fear and pride keep people from really living.”
    “Like I said, wise…you’re an old soul, like your dad.” Anne put her arm around me and patted my back and I was surprised that for the first time where she was concerned, I didn’t shirk from the intimacy.

Chapter 11
    The following morning Pandora’s whining woke me up but I was stretched out under three layers of blankets and wasn’t ready to get out of bed. I moaned and opened my eyes to see a light frost on the windowpane. I looked over at Pandora who was sitting on her haunches, waiting patiently. My irritation melted away as I looked into her eyes. “Okay, I’m coming,” I assured her.
    I threw off the covers and groaned as I felt the sudden shock of cold air. I grabbed my pink robe and pulled it on over my white t-shirt. My feet found their way into some slippers and I followed Pandora who was wagging her tail. As I followed her I twisted my messy mop of hair into an untidy bun and secured it with a band. Anne was still sleeping, like I should have been. I opened the door to let Pandora out and then I went to the bathroom. After washing my hands I figured I could start Anne’s coffee before taking my shower. I rummaged through the pantry until I found the pumpkin spiced coffee that she loved so much. I began measuring and poured the water into the pot. I leaned against the counter and watched as the dark stream began to fall and with it I inhaled the spicy aroma. I grabbed a sticky bun from the counter where Anne had conveniently left them on a covered plate. I was licking the frosting from my fingers when I noticed a form pass by the window and then I heard the knock. Oh no.
    I argued with myself on whether to ignore it by pretending no one was home when Anne shouted from the