Read Online Echoes of Edinburgh by Joann Durgin - Free Book Online

met at a Bible college in Tennessee, but both were raised in Alabama, so that’s where we permanently settled. Dad worked in accounting with various ministries for years and retired last year. My mom started a ministry before she died, and it’s still very active. She’d love to know how well it’s doing, and I like to think she does. Sometimes I still pick up the phone to call her. Whenever I go home, I expect her to be in the kitchen, cooking one of my favorite meals.” He hesitated and lowered his voice. “Waiting for me.”
    Shelby turned to face him, her eyes wide. “I didn’t realize you’d lost your mom, too. I’m so sorry, Harrison.” She touched his sleeve, her eyes brimming with compassion. “You must have been very close.”
    “We were. Dad’s still trying to cope with her death. Like your mom, she had cancer. Even though Dad had time to prepare for the eventuality, it didn’t make it any easier when the end came after three long years. Last time I was home, this past Christmas, he admitted that accepting her passing has been his greatest crisis of faith. Although he understands it’s a natural part of life—and it was actually a blessing since she was in a great deal of pain—Dad wishes he’d been the one to go first.”
    “My dad felt the same way about losing Mama first.” Shelby ran a hand over her hair, pushing aside long blonde strands that caressed her cheeks in the breeze. “Know what I like most in what you just said? The way your voice goes soft when you talk about your mom. It’s very sweet.”
    “Does not.” He gave her a sidelong glance. “But my heart does. And you’re a copycat.”
    “Am not.” They shared a smile.
    “Do you have any brothers or sisters?” he asked.
    “Not unless you count thoroughbreds.”
    Harrison chuckled. “I’d say it’s time we eat. Are you hungry?”
    “You must have heard my stomach growling during the service,” Shelby said. “It got pretty insistent toward the end. It was really embarrassing, so I did something I used to do when I was a kid.”
    “What’s that?”
    “I looked around and acted surprised so people wouldn’t suspect it was my stomach making all the noise.” She caught his glance and laughed. “Come on. Don’t tell me you’ve never done it.”
    “I thought it was my stomach. Call it tandem growling.” He pointed down the street. “There’s a restaurant a couple of blocks away called Angels with Bagpipes. Over by St. Giles. I’ve wanted to try it for a while now, but it’s usually booked. You never know, though. Want to go and see if we can get a table?”
    “Absolutely,” Shelby said, looping her hand over his arm. “Lead the way.”
     
     
     
     

9
     
    Harrison held open the door of Angels with Bagpipes and waited as Shelby passed through the entrance. “I’ll go check with the hostess.” A minute later he returned to her side. “Good news. They had some cancellations and can seat us in a few minutes.”
    They talked quietly and admired the floor-to-ceiling doors which overlooked the street. “This building must date back to the sixteenth century,” he said, glancing around the interior of the restaurant.
    “Sounds like you know a little something about architecture.” Shelby’s eyes shone bright in the much dimmer light inside the restaurant. “I do believe you can see the world go by through those doors. It’s like being on the outside looking in, but in reverse.” She laughed. “That made absolutely no sense.”
    “You make more sense than you know, Shelby.” Soon after, they were seated and studied their menus. Harrison ordered the Orkney scallops with the Stornoway black pudding, and she ordered the roast rump of Ross-shire lamb with cabbage and white beans. He asked the blessing, pleased when she reached again for his hand. After their food was delivered, she answered his questions about what she’d like to see in Edinburgh, and he made more mental notes.
    “Chinese fire