Read Online The Prodigal Comes Home by Kathryn Springer - Free Book Online

you.” Zoey quickly retreated as two more customers came in, stomping the slush from their shoes as they chatted.
    She located the craft section and glanced at the length of yarn tied around her wrist in order to find its match on the shelf.
    “Did you hear that Decker girl is back in town?”
    Zoey froze as the two women who had come into the store made their way down the next aisle. She couldn’t see their faces, but their voices carried through the shelves that separated them.
    “I can’t believe she’d even show her face in Mirror Lake again. Especially after what she did.”
    “Apparently she moved back in with her grandmother. You’d think Liz would know better.”
    “It sure didn’t work out the last time she tried it.”
    “I heard that Liz just got out the hospital a few days ago. Maybe she doesn’t feel well enough to show her the door.”
    “Well, hopefully someone’s keeping an eye on Liz. To make sure she doesn’t get taken advantage of…”
    The conversation faded as the women turned down another aisle.
    Until now, Zoey hadn’t realized how much she’d been holding onto the hope that time and distance might have softened peoples’ hearts. Changed their perspective a little.
    But then again, why should it? She still carried the memory of the accident with her every single day.
    Tucking two skeins of yarn under her arm, Zoey hurried up to the cash register before the women finished their shopping and circled back to the front of the store.
    The woman behind the counter, however, seemed determined to prolong the transaction. “This shade of green is very pretty. What are you going to make with it?”
    “I don’t knit. I’m buying the yarn for someone else.” Zoey resisted the urge to scoot around the counter and ring up the purchase herself.
    “Did you see the coupon in the newspaper this week? With a ten dollar purchase, you get a free votive candle.”
    “I don’t have a coupon…”
    “Don’t worry about that,” the clerk said cheerfully. “I always put a few extra aside, just for customers like you…somewhere.” She began to sift through a sheaf of loose papers on the counter.
    “That’s all right.” A note of desperation crept into Zoey’s voice. “You can save the coupon for someone else.”
    The two women rounded the aisle and paused for a moment in front of the candy bar display.
    “Here it is!” A colorful strip of paper spun across the counter. “Now, I’ll just need some information for our mailing list. What is your name?”
    “Zoey Decker.” Zoey kept her voice low.
    “Oh! Are you by any chance related to Liz Decker?” The clerk’s eyes brightened with curiosity.
    The women behind her stopped chatting. And Zoey was suddenly struck from behind by an invisible wave of disapproval.
    “She’s my grandmother.”
    “I know Liz.” The clerk’s smile widened. “When my husband and I moved here last year, she invited us to church. She’s a very special lady. You’re blessed to call her family.”
    “I know.” If only Gran could say the same thing about her.
    “Your total is ten dollars and fifty-three cents. You can choose your favorite color—”
    “Here you go.” Zoey paid for the yarn, snatched up a yellow candle and fled.
     

    “Matthew!” Liz put down the magazine she’d been thumbing through with a smile of delight. “I didn’t expect to see you this afternoon.”
    “I had to pick up something at home and thought I’d stop in and say hello.” Matt leaned down and planted a kiss on Liz’s cheek.
    “Sit down for a few minutes.” Liz patted the spot next to her on the velvet sofa. “I was just reading. Again.”
    “You love to read.”
    “Only when I don’t have to.”
    “I never knew you were such a rebel.” Matt adjusted one of the pillows before sitting down.
    “It’s classified information.” Liz’s eyes twinkled.
    “Your secrets are safe with me.” Matt settled back against the cushions and studied the color in the older