Read Online Paisley's Pattern by LoRee Peery - Free Book Online Page B

mentioned when I first met you, Mark talked about Precious. I got to know her from his viewpoint. Your father loved your mother. You come from good solid stock, Rob. And never forget, the Lord has chosen us, the families we’re born into, and the people we’ll come to know and to love.”
    Lord, help him take those words as comforting .
    At the end of their meal, Paisley took the salads to the refrigerator, grabbed the dessert plates off the counter, and set the pan of raisin bars between Edna Mae and Rob.
    The back of her hand grazed Rob’s forearm. She reacted as if burned and shot her attention to his face. The fire in his eyes left her so breathless she barely registered the cinnamon spice in the dessert.
    She remained quiet, listening to the peace of evening descend.
    They finished their iced tea, and Rob regaled them about some of the antiques he’d restored and the eccentric people he’d met. That topic kicked in memories for Edna Mae’s comments.
    The rare music of Rob’s husky laugh trailed a tingle down Paisley’s spine. She was a goner. Again. If he had laughed like that months ago, she would have never contemplated giving back that gorgeous ring.
    I wonder what he did with it.
    Her phone alerted her and she excused herself to answer in the kitchen.
    A few moments later, Paisley returned to her patio chair, stunned by the call. She fought the moisture filling her eyes, shaking inside.
    She felt their gazes, but couldn’t meet either of their eyes.
    “Bad news, hon?” Edna Mae asked.
    “I’ve been offered a job at a nursery south of San Francisco Bay.”
    She had a choice to make. Her background included a pattern of fleeing whenever life got in the way, or a better sounding adventure appeared on the horizon, but for the first time, she saw how love for a good man like Rob equaled mighty sound grounds for seeking elusive stability and setting down roots.
    What do I do now, dear Jesus?
     
     
     
     

7
     
    Rob pushed up from the table so fast, his chair banged against the deck railing.
    She was taking off. Again. Paisley would be gone, off to a new job and a new adventure in a different town.
    He straightened the chair, adjusted the pillow on the seat, and aligned it just-so against the table edge. “I have to go. Thanks for the delicious food, ladies. Edna Mae, you OK walking home alone?”
    “I’ve been walking on my own two feet close to seventy years now. I’m sure I can find my way home. You do what you have to do.”
    He grabbed the handrails and leapt off the stairs without touching a step.
    What was all Paisley’s talk about staying here for a time, checking out what Nebraska had to offer?
    He knew better than to plan for them to shape any kind of future together.
    Oh, God, help me with my attitude. I can feel the anger and disappointment building. I don’t know why I haven’t been a happy-go-lucky sort of guy that she wants me to be. I guess I’m just serious by nature. But the tease of having a chance with Paisley again gave me hope. Now I feel cheated. Please, show me the way! I don’t know how to deal with this.
    “Listen to me. And my selfishness,” he mumbled. His feet stomped against the sidewalk. “Whatever happens, my God, it’s supposed to be about You. You are the One pointing me to family. You brought me here. You brought Paisley here. You alone can fix her need to roam. You alone can fix my heart, lift the heavy load the way You promise in Matthew eleven.”
    For my yoke is easy and my burden is light .
    He found himself at the end of the driveway. He tromped to the Waverly shed. He opted to reach for the lawn mower instead of a tool, and took out the rest of his adrenaline on the grass of the backyard. He’d wait for full light and attack the front in the morning.
    And Miss Paisley Robbins better keep her distance.
     
    ~*~
     
    “I am so sorry. He didn’t give me a chance to tell him I didn’t give my friend an answer. I shouldn’t have repeated the message,”