Read Online A Question of Honor by Mary Anne Wilson - Free Book Online Page A

years go. She ran the inn pretty much by herself, didn’t date at all, thought she never would again and Willie G. was the closest thing she had to a father. He was her uncle on her mother’s side. Thankfully, Mallory didn’t pump Faith for personal details beyond what she offered.
    Fifteen minutes later, she was back at the inn with coffee, pastries and two newspapers. Faith had barely gone inside before a door upstairs opened and closed, and she heard voices. The man from Texas in the room down the hall from hers had been replaced with a couple from Phoenix. Faith retreated into the sitting area as the man and woman came down, talking about getting “a good look at the reservation,” and then promptly left.
    Faith heard footsteps right before the swinging door behind the counter opened. She turned to smile as Mallory appeared, and for the first time since she’d met the woman, there was no smile in return. Mallory looked upset. “Oh, Faith,” she said, “good morning. Sorry, I...got distracted and didn’t hear you leave or come back.”
    Faith wanted to pretend she wasn’t aware of her distress, but she couldn’t. Mallory was the only person she really spoke to, and she had been more than kind to Faith. “Is there something wrong?”
    Mallory shook her head and let out a heavy sigh. “No, not really, but... I don’t know.”
    “Do you want to talk about it?” She couldn’t believe she was asking that. The same words from Adam that second day had terrified her, and they jeopardized her firm promise to herself to not get involved. But that didn’t stop Faith from motioning to the chairs by the hearth where they usually sat to talk. Mallory nodded and crossed to sink into one of the chairs. Faith put her stuff on the table nearby, then sat and waited.
    Mallory seemed to be having difficulty knowing what to say, and Faith gave her time. Then she took a breath and leaned toward Faith slightly. “I’m not sure what to do about something. I’m just confused, and I can’t believe that I’m so confused, but I need to talk, if it’s okay.”
    That question was Faith’s way out, but as she felt tension start in her neck, she knew she couldn’t beg off now. So she sat calmly until a terrible thought struck her. Could Mallory know who she really had as a guest at her inn? Faith had let herself think she was safe here. Maybe she’d been wrong. Her hands were clenched in her lap, and she fought to make the next words sound as casual as possible. “You...can tell me anything,” she said, barely controlling her emotions.
    When Mallory finally spoke in a rush of words, Faith was shocked at how wrong she’d been. “There’s this huge party that a prominent family in town gives every year around Christmas. It’s huge. It’s in this massive barn that’s nicer than some homes, and there’s dancing and music and...” She hugged herself and Faith could see she was either shaking or she was shivering. Either way, she seemed unsteady. “I haven’t gone for a few years. I...I think I want to go this year—however, I really don’t think I should.”
    Faith was light-headed with relief. “You...you should go, if you want to go.”
    “I wish it was that simple. I told you about Henry. He’s been gone two years now.” She shook her head. “We used to go every year, ever since we were kids. But since he passed, I couldn’t do it, not by myself. What would people think? That I’m out there having fun and Henry...” She frowned. “Oh, I’m not looking for sympathy. It’s just, I want to go, but I feel so guilty. And everyone around here that’s my age is married or dating.” She crossed and then uncrossed her legs. “I don’t want to date or anything. I simply want to go to the party.” She looked ready to cry. “But I can’t. It’s not right, I know that, and I’m being stupid to think about it, but it’s Christmas and...” She bit her lip and let the sentence fade.
    Faith felt Mallory’s