Read Online A Season for Family by Mae Nunn - Free Book Online Page B

wouldn’t want a job like that, no matter what it paid. Working for somebody else has never appealed to me.”
    â€œSounds like you were born to be an entrepreneur.”
    â€œI guess so. But I don’t exactly think of myself that way, either.”
    The old bench seat creaked as he shifted to stare at her. She kept her eyes on the road.
    â€œThen how do you see your life’s work? I mean, if your personal circumstances were different, do you think you’d still be on the same career path?”
    â€œI hope my desire to serve would be just as strong as it is today. But if my path had been different I’d probably have followed my creative passion and developed my painting. I’d be a starving but fulfilled artist.”
    â€œReally?”
    The disbelief in his voice drew her glance to his face.
    â€œWhy do you find that so surprising?” Obviously,she’d read too much into his compliments for her work the night before.
    â€œIt just amazes me that given unlimited choices, you’d still be happy in a career without any guarantees.”
    â€œNothing in life comes with guarantees, Heath. You should know that by now. Wealth doesn’t buy you time or peace, and I have the family history to prove it. You can’t put a price on health or integrity. I feel blessed to have those things and anything more would just be overflow.”
    â€œPoints well taken,” he conceded. “So, what are you doing to develop your talent?”
    â€œI have a few canvases upstairs that I work on when there’s time. Other than that, not much.”
    â€œYou could be the next Grandma Moses if you’d put half the energy into your art that you put into your pitch for donations.”
    She snickered at his observation.
    â€œI’m serious. You were so sharp those people never felt the blade.”
    â€œIs that your way of saying I’m sticking it to my contacts?” she teased.
    â€œBasically, but for a good cause so it’s not a bad thing. And if you ever do decide to go in another direction, you have a toolbox full of sales skills.”
    Glad for a reason not to look into Heath’s eyes, Olivia watched her mirrors as she expertly backed Big Red up to the side entrance. She enjoyed a compliment as much as the next woman, she just wasn’t sure her sales skills were what she most wanted to be admired for.
    â€œHere we are.” She set the hand brake and wrapped her woolen scarf tight before reaching for the door handle.
    â€œOlivia?”
    She swung her gaze toward the sound of his soft voice as he continued.
    â€œAll joking aside, the effort you’re making for others is extraordinary. My mama used to talk about the importance of being a quiet witness. Watching you today, I finally understand what that means.”
    Her heart thumped as she realized he hadn’t missed her occasional mention of a passage of Scripture or her offering of seasonal blessings. Maybe this man who appeared so dry was actually a dry sponge just waiting to soak up some Truth.
    â€œThank you, Heath. My testimony is the most important thing God packed in my toolbox.”
    â€œMiss Livvy!” Velma called from the open door. Her eyes were so wide with worry that the whites shone all around her dark irises.
    â€œWhat’s wrong?” Olivia’s sneakers hit the pavement, slamming her door as Heath did the same.
    â€œIt’s Amos. He’s sicker than a dog.”
    â€œCould it be something he ate?” Olivia’s insides quivered at the thought. Food-borne bacteria could spread through a shelter like wildfire, making it necessary to throw out the good along with the suspicious.
    â€œDon’t think so. He took to his bunk with a chill straight after lunch and right now he’s burnin’ up with fever and sounds like he might cough up a lung.”
    Olivia looked at Heath who gave a grim nod.
    â€œFlu,” they chorused.
    â€œGo.” He