Read Online Family in His Heart by Gail Gaymer Martin - Free Book Online Page A

approval, to his surprise—and learned Amy’s family had planned a picnic.
    Another surprise had been Gary’s agreement to attend worship without an argument, and though Nick knew he should be pleased, Gary’s cooperation set him on edge. After the phone call to Amy’s parents, Nick relaxed and, with the day free, he’d decided to put some time into his work at the resort.
    He drew in a breath, sorry for so many things. He’d tried to be a good father after Jill’s shocking death. Jill. The picture flashed through his mind of that horrible day, and like everyone who watched a tragedy happen, he replayed it in his mind, wondering what he could have done to make a difference and what had really happened. He was at a loss.
    Gary’s words had stabbed him since Friday. He wanted to grill him about Jill’s drinking, but Gary had only been a boy and Nick shot the questions at himself. Gary may have been confused, and if not, then why hadn’t Nick noticed? Or had he? He recalled smelling something like mouthwash on Jill’s breath when he arrived home…late so often. Running two businesses had stolen time from his family.
    He’d told himself Jill had freshened up for him, but now that he thought back, had it been alcohol he smelled? Jill’s personality had changed, too. She’d stopped smiling when they were alone. Her cheery face only lit up in social settings. He figured she’d gotten tired of his long work hours, but he did it for her and Gary. He wanted them to have a good life. Jill liked nice clothes and jewelry. She liked—
    He had no idea what she had liked. Gifts, jewelry, a new boat, a home on Marquette, he’d done it all for her and nothing had seemed to make her content.
    He couldn’t let go of the drinking issue. He and Jill never drank. At least, that’s what he’d thought. Though he knew some Christians who saw no harm in a glass of wine, he’d always stayed away from it. But Jill? His head swam, struck with the possibility.
    The ferry bumped the pier and Nick straightened in the seat and readied the SUV to roll across the ramp to the shore. He craned his neck to look in the back to make sure he’d remembered to put the box into the car. He needed to stop at the Information Center with his new brochures. The way his mind had been he’d begun to question himself.
    Pulling his mind from Jill and his flagging memory, he replaced it with his mission. He headed up Channel Road, and as he passed the Island Restaurant and Bakery, he remembered he wanted to stop on the way home for one of their great chocolate cakes. Maybe that would cheer up Gary.
    He sped past and headed for Four Corners, the business center of the island and on the way to his resort. When he arrived at Warner’s Cove Road, Nick pulled in front of the Information Center. He climbed out, lifted the hatch and pulled out the carton, then strode to the building.
    When he swung open the door, Nick stopped cold and did a double take. The women’s mouths dropped open as far as his had probably fallen.
    Mandy’s surprise turned to a smile. “Hi, Nick.” She gave Rona a poke with her elbow as if to wake her from a trance.
    “Hi,” Rona said, her gaze shifting from him to Mandy.
    Nick managed to harness his amazement “What are you two doing here?”
    “Sightseeing,” Mandy said.
    He glanced in Rona’s direction, but she didn’t say a word.
    Mandy tilted her head. “What brings you here?”
    “Dropping off some resort brochures, then doing some catch-up at the resort. You know how it is getting ready for the tourists. They come in droves starting next week.” He heard himself prattle on and stopped.
    The two women just looked at him.
    He shifted his gaze from Mandy to Rona, hoping she’d say something more than hi. “What have you seen so far?”
    “Nothing yet,” Rona said. “Just the ferry ride over and now we’re here.” She motioned to the wall of brochures.
    “I brought her right to Four Corners. We’re going to check