Read Online Country Lovers by Rebecca Shaw - Free Book Online

clutch, and he did with a surprising strength. “He’s so strong and he’s got his father’s looks.”
    Rose had to laugh. “Everyone says that. I feel quite jealous.”
    â€œDon’t worry. Have a girl next and she’ll be like you.” This from Letty, who was still captivated by him.
    â€œHave a heart, Letty.”
    â€œNo, it’s best. Close together and then they all grow up at the same time. No good having too big an age gap.”
    Stephie muttered to Kate, “Little she knows about it; anyone would think she’d had a whole tribe of children.”
    â€œShh! She’ll hear you.”
    â€œCan’t quite see Colin…” Stephie nudged Kate and winked. “You know.”
    â€œAre you going to have some more children?” Letty asked Rose.
    â€œHopefully, but not for a while.”
    â€œYou should. People like you should have babies.” Without warning, Letty burst into tears and left Joy’s office.
    She left behind an embarrassed silence. To fill it, Rose said, “I’ll just go show him to the clients.”
    â€œYou do that.” Joy stood to one side to let Rose out. “They’ll love him—they’ve been asking when they’d see him. Back to work all of you. I’ll just go find Letty; see she’s all right.”
    Joy found Letty sitting in her car, crying as if her heart were breaking. She opened the driver’s door and said, “Letty! Please don’t cry.”
    But Letty couldn’t stop.
    She fumbled in her handbag for a tissue and dabbed her cheeks, but still the tears rolled down. “It’s this blessed sickness; I never feel quite right. What a fool you must think me.”
    â€œNot at all. Babies get you like that. Well, they get me like that.” She went around to the front passenger door, opened it, and got in beside Letty. “Shall I get Colin?”
    â€œNo, no. He has enough on. I’m just being a fool.”
    â€œNo, you’re not. It just goes to demonstrate that you’re human. Come back in; have a cup of tea or something.”
    Letty stopped crying and turned her blotchy wet face to Joy. “No, I won’t. I don’t want to see the baby again.” She stared straight ahead and after a moment commented, “I’ve not been very kind, have I? In the past?”
    â€œWell…”
    â€œNo, be honest. No beating about the bush.”
    â€œIt’s not for me to say.”
    â€œPlease, Joy, be honest with me, even if it’s going to hurt. We’ve known each other long enough for you to be totally frank.”
    Joy was completely thrown by this touchy-feely Letty. It was a Letty she had never known. “If you want the truth, I’ll give it to you, but it won’t be nice. So I’ve warned you, right?” She thought for a moment. “You’ve been a miserable, unkind, edgy, frosty, nit-picking person and very difficult to like. Thought yourself right about everything, you know, and you weren’t always. And as for the way you’ve treated Colin in the past! Though you have changed for the better of late, I must admit.”
    Letty flinched as though she’d been hit. “I see.” She stared through the windscreen. “I see. Not just Colin though. What about Dan?”
    â€œEspecially about Dan. He’s a thoroughly decent chap, you know. He speaks his mind, I’ll give you that. But…he is rock-strong, fair-minded, and straightforward, and he’s done this practice a lot of good, hasn’t he? And I’ve grown to like him.” Joy half turned to smile at Letty. But Letty ignored her. Instead she started up the car and put it into gear. “Hold on, Letty, let me get out.” Joy struggled to open the door and Letty reached across to open it for her. Joy got out, but before she closed the door, she said, “Letty! I don’t like the idea of your driving when