Read Online All of My Love by Francis Ray - Free Book Online

father.”
    Francine cried harder.
    “She also loves her mother and if I recall, has always spoken fondly of Jessica,” Stella went on to say. “Francine, you’re welcome here, and so are you, Doris.”
    “Thank you,” the two women chorused.
    James extended his hand to Paul and Stella. “Please accept my apology. Thank you, Stella, for being so gracious.” He looked at his wife. “If I ever hear you say one word about Stella or gossip about anyone else again, I’ll tell Jessica exactly what happened here tonight. Come on, we’re going home. I’ve lost my appetite.” Head downcast, Francine hurried after him.
    David looked at his wife. “Doris?”
    “Please accept my apology,” she said tightly.
    “Stella might, but after embarrassing me one time too many, I’m not sure I can.” David extended his hand to Paul. “Good seeing you again. I still own the barbershop and like to fish. Call me if you have a chance.”
    The handshake was firm. “I will.”
    “Good night.” David glanced at his wife. “It will be a long time before I take you out to dinner again.”
    “David, we go out to dinner at least once a wee—” she began, but her husband walked away. Head tucked, she quickly went after him.
    “I’ll say good night,” Stella said.
    “Why?” He said one succinct word.
    “Because what I did was wrong,” she said. “They don’t know the details, so they assume the worst.”
    Paul had as well. He’d almost gone crazy at the thought of her sleeping with another man while they were married. He wasn’t much saner once she’d married the snake.
    “Thank you for walking me back, and for speaking up for me.” Her smile trembled. “I didn’t expect either.”
    She walked away. He was pleased to see her back straight, her head up. “Don’t forget your gear tomorrow.”
    She looked over her shoulder at him, a big smile on her face. “I won’t. Thanks again.”
    Paul smiled after her, then he frowned and headed for his room. He needed to speak with Ruth. The idea that women were gossiping about Stella, and she apparently knew it and came back to Santa Fe anyway, made his heart clench for her.

CHAPTER SIX
     
    Thankfully he had Ruth’s cell and home phone numbers. She answered on the second ring.
    “Hello?”
    “Hello, Ruth. It’s Paul,” he greeted, pacing in front of the kava fireplace in his hotel suite. “I’m sorry to disturb you, but something just happened and I needed to speak with you about it.”
    “Is everyone all right?” she asked, concern in her voice.
    “Physically, yes.” He explained about him and Stella overhearing Francine and Doris gossip about her. “I don’t think this was the first time she’s been subjected to that kind of talk.”
    “Sadly, it probably isn’t,” Ruth told him. “Unfortunately, there will always be people who judge others, but never take a good look at themselves.”
    He had to ask. “Why did you remain her friend?”
    “Because she is my friend and, despite what happened between you and Stella, your children never stopped loving her,” Ruth said. “That said a lot about her character and the kind of mother she was.”
    “It didn’t stop other people,” he said, his anger escalating.
    “It’s not my place to judge. I have too much going on in my own life to gossip. I might interfere in my children’s lives and a few others, but it’s out of a deep love and respect for them,” she said. “Stella loves her family.”
    Her family. Not just her children. Ruth had included him.
    “Paul, she took a wrong turn, recognized it, and is trying to get back to where her heart and her soul will be at peace once again.”
    With him. He stopped pacing. “I—”
    “Paul, you’re a good man. You were a good role model for Brandon, who didn’t have a father. I felt comfortable with him being at your home so much, sleeping over, going fishing and hunting with you and your boys. He always returned home happy,” Ruth said quietly. “Now,