Read Online The Stolen Canvas by Marlene Chase - Free Book Online Page A
Authors: Marlene Chase
Ads: Link
embarrassed. Wherever Jem had been in the last 15 years, he wasn’t used to praying. They hadn’t been raised to think about a God who deserved their worship. Sundays had been for fishing and hanging out.
Jem recovered from the prayer and began talking about places he’d visited. Every now and then he’d throw in a compliment for Peggy or a wink for Emily.
“So, where are you staying while you’re in town?” Peggy asked while they ate pineapple upside-down cake for dessert.
“Actually, I’m staying over in Petersgrove.”
An odd choice, since Stony Point was by far the more attractive resort town in the area. But Wally wasn’t surprised that the town’s bad boy wouldn’t want to get too up close and personal. Still, it had been a long time, and few would really remember him. At least not the way he looked now. Besides, lots of kids sowed wild oats.
“If you don’t mind,” Jem said, as though he had read Wally’s thoughts, “I’d prefer putting some space between myself and the good citizens of Stony Point. That is …” He cleared his throat and said with a shrug, “… best if they don’t know the black sheep of the family is cooling his heels in these parts.”
Peggy frowned. That could be a tough call for his friendly wife, Wally knew. She liked to share the town gossip, but she’d be careful since that’s what Jem wanted. “Well, don’t be a stranger,” she said, that bloom in her cheeks rising again. Clearly, Jem had captivated her. “You’re welcome to come by for dinner anytime.” She glanced at Wally, her eyes bright, expecting him to second her invitation.
Wally wiped his mouth with his napkin. “Sure,” he said. Jem had been seventeen when he left Stony Point, and Wally was fourteen. They had gone to live with their grandmother when Pop died. Standing on her porch, he’d watched his brother climb into a glued-together rattletrap Ford and take off with a wave of his hand. “So long, bro.” And that was when Wally knew that fourteen-year-olds could weep.
“I won’t get in your way. I know you two are busy, but I wouldn’t mind a look around the old place … The Cup & Saucer, Butler’s Lighthouse, Grey Gables …”
Wally looked up. Peggy had rambled endlessly about The Cup & Saucer, but he had mentioned Grey Gables only in passing. Jem had asked about “that Victorian house on Ocean Avenue,” which was surprising enough, but he even knew its name. Maybe his brother remembered more about his old roots than anyone thought.
But Wally realized that his hands had once more balled into fists inside his pockets.
6
Annie sat on the porch with her crochet project and a pot of Earl Gray tea. It was late Wednesday afternoon, the day after Tara had shown up at Grey Gables. Alice was on her way. She would have been on Annie’s doorstep that morning if she had not had an important Divine Décor party that kept her busy all day. Annie put up a hand in greeting as Alice came up the walk. “About time,” she called.
“I came as soon as I could,” Alice said, collapsing on a wicker chair next to Annie. She peered into her face. “What? No black eye? No blunt-force trauma?”
“I’m perfectly fine. And keep your voice down.” Annie poured a cup of tea for Alice. “Tara’s resting upstairs.”
“Tara. Now there’s an earthy name. Who is she, and why is your houseguest in bed at this time of day. It’s nearly supper time!”
“The girl’s been through a lot, and I don’t think she’s well.”
Alice uncovered a foil-wrapped plate to reveal half a dozen muffins with a heavenly aroma. “Cherry cheesecake,” she chirped. “Tell all and I’ll share!”
“Ten pounds a whiff!” Annie mourned. She sighed and thought for a moment before replying. The “all” she knew about Tara Frasier wasn’t much, and explaining it was likely to be difficult. “Well, she recently lost her job. And her mother died. The poor girl doesn’t know what to do.”
Alice pushed up the
Jem recovered from the prayer and began talking about places he’d visited. Every now and then he’d throw in a compliment for Peggy or a wink for Emily.
“So, where are you staying while you’re in town?” Peggy asked while they ate pineapple upside-down cake for dessert.
“Actually, I’m staying over in Petersgrove.”
An odd choice, since Stony Point was by far the more attractive resort town in the area. But Wally wasn’t surprised that the town’s bad boy wouldn’t want to get too up close and personal. Still, it had been a long time, and few would really remember him. At least not the way he looked now. Besides, lots of kids sowed wild oats.
“If you don’t mind,” Jem said, as though he had read Wally’s thoughts, “I’d prefer putting some space between myself and the good citizens of Stony Point. That is …” He cleared his throat and said with a shrug, “… best if they don’t know the black sheep of the family is cooling his heels in these parts.”
Peggy frowned. That could be a tough call for his friendly wife, Wally knew. She liked to share the town gossip, but she’d be careful since that’s what Jem wanted. “Well, don’t be a stranger,” she said, that bloom in her cheeks rising again. Clearly, Jem had captivated her. “You’re welcome to come by for dinner anytime.” She glanced at Wally, her eyes bright, expecting him to second her invitation.
Wally wiped his mouth with his napkin. “Sure,” he said. Jem had been seventeen when he left Stony Point, and Wally was fourteen. They had gone to live with their grandmother when Pop died. Standing on her porch, he’d watched his brother climb into a glued-together rattletrap Ford and take off with a wave of his hand. “So long, bro.” And that was when Wally knew that fourteen-year-olds could weep.
“I won’t get in your way. I know you two are busy, but I wouldn’t mind a look around the old place … The Cup & Saucer, Butler’s Lighthouse, Grey Gables …”
Wally looked up. Peggy had rambled endlessly about The Cup & Saucer, but he had mentioned Grey Gables only in passing. Jem had asked about “that Victorian house on Ocean Avenue,” which was surprising enough, but he even knew its name. Maybe his brother remembered more about his old roots than anyone thought.
But Wally realized that his hands had once more balled into fists inside his pockets.
6
Annie sat on the porch with her crochet project and a pot of Earl Gray tea. It was late Wednesday afternoon, the day after Tara had shown up at Grey Gables. Alice was on her way. She would have been on Annie’s doorstep that morning if she had not had an important Divine Décor party that kept her busy all day. Annie put up a hand in greeting as Alice came up the walk. “About time,” she called.
“I came as soon as I could,” Alice said, collapsing on a wicker chair next to Annie. She peered into her face. “What? No black eye? No blunt-force trauma?”
“I’m perfectly fine. And keep your voice down.” Annie poured a cup of tea for Alice. “Tara’s resting upstairs.”
“Tara. Now there’s an earthy name. Who is she, and why is your houseguest in bed at this time of day. It’s nearly supper time!”
“The girl’s been through a lot, and I don’t think she’s well.”
Alice uncovered a foil-wrapped plate to reveal half a dozen muffins with a heavenly aroma. “Cherry cheesecake,” she chirped. “Tell all and I’ll share!”
“Ten pounds a whiff!” Annie mourned. She sighed and thought for a moment before replying. The “all” she knew about Tara Frasier wasn’t much, and explaining it was likely to be difficult. “Well, she recently lost her job. And her mother died. The poor girl doesn’t know what to do.”
Alice pushed up the
Similar Books
