Read Online Broken Trust by Shannon Baker - Free Book Online Page B

late. In the end, she’d managed to save the mountain but she held herself responsible for the death s of her unfaithful husband, Scott, and that of Heather, a vibrant and passionate young girl.
    Abigail stared at Nora as if expecting an answer. Oh yeah, work. “It’s okay.”
    Abigail frowned. “That’s all you have to say?”
    Nora opened the refrigerator with the insane hope that food had materialized since morning. “I’m hungry.”
    Abigail pursed her lips. “There’s not much we can do about that. This pantry is nearly empty. Not even a can of soup.”
    “I think there’s cereal.”
    Abigail frowned. “No milk.”
    Nora opened a cupboard and pulled out a box full of creamers in tiny plastic tubs. It was her one indulgence on camping and backpacking trips. She picked up the cereal box and creamers. “Voil à !”
    “ ‘ Don’t neglect the pantry of your life and leave it barren as a looted grocery store. ’ ”
    Nora stated at Abigail. What?
    Abigail stopped as if reviewing what she’d said. She pulled a small notebook from the pocket of her tunic and slid out a matching miniature pen. She scribbled on the pad and caught Nora’s scrutiny. “I’m taking an online poetry class.”
    Nora congratulated herself on keeping a straight face.
    Abigail dropped the notebook and pen back into her pocket and found a bowl and spoon and they retreated around the counter bar to the small dining room table. It consumed slightly more space than a card table but was big enough to hold a basket for Nora’s mail and bills. Bright Mexican woven placemats covered most of the pine top.
    After setting the dishes on the table, Abigail pointed to the sliding glass door that opened onto the tiny deck. “What is with the plants?”
    Nora tried not to wince. “Nothing. I like green things. The photosynthesis purifies the air.”
    Abigail raised an eyebrow in skepticism. “Houseplants are all well and good, but this goes beyond a little color.”
    Abigail was right, of course. Most people didn’t have a dozen big pots of bushy plants in their living room. Like the smaller version Nora had dragged to work, these corn plants grew in terra cotta pots decorated with Hopi designs. Six of the largest plants lined the glass slider, leaving space for one person to slip through the door to the balcony. Smaller pots formed another row inching into the living room. Nora shrugged, a response more appropriate to a teenager being asked why she didn’t turn in her homework.
    “They have to do with the Hopi thing, don’t they?” Abigail asked.
    “Why would you say that?”
    Abigail’s hands rested on her hips. “Because I saw Benny give you a bunch of seeds when you left Flagstaff and ask you to plant them to help him out.”
    Busted. “Okay. Yes. They are Hopi corn. But I think they’re pretty, and Abbey and I like the outdoor feel.” Except maybe growing the plants created a connection with more than nature. Maybe that’s why Benny had shown up at the Trust. Which was a ridiculous notion, of course.
    Here came that slow drip of guilt down the back of her throat. In all probability, Benny had saved her life in Flagstaff and now she repaid him by running from him. She’d buried herself in work trying to forget all about him. If he was smart, he’d give up on her and head home. Maybe he was already on his way. She hoped he understood why she couldn’t see him.
    Heck, w hy would he? She didn’t understand it herself.
    Abigail lowered herself to a chair opposite Nora. Abbey retreated to his bed tucked between the corn plants.
    Nora peeled the tops from the little creamers and lined them up on the table. “How are you, Abigail?”
    “Tell me what’s going on with you. You aren’t yourself and you’ve taken this job, which is obviously beneath you.”
    Abigail normally loved talking about herself. Why wasn’t she jumping at the chance?
    “I had a panic attack.” Whoa. That popped out of nowhere.
    “What do you mean?”