Read Online Wanda E. Brunstetter by Twice Loved - Free Book Online Page A

I’ll speak to Mr. Dawson in the morning about the rent.”
    “Does that mean you won’t accept any of my gifts?”
    She shook her head as tears pooled in her eyes.
    “I’m sorry if I’ve offended you, Bev.”
    She made no reply.
    “I–I’d better get going.” Dan turned for the door. “I hope I’ll see you at the store tomorrow.”
    As much as she was tempted to quit working at Twice Loved, Bev knew it would be difficult to find another job. Besides, she enjoyed the work she did there. “I’ll make sure I’m on time,” she mumbled.

    The following morning, Bev found it difficult to concentrate on her work. Last night, she and Amy had decorated their tree, and she’d lain awake for hours thinking about Dan and the gifts he’d given her in secret. She had lost her temper and hadn’t shown any appreciation for his thoughtfulness.
I need to apologize, but he also has to understand that I won’t accept his charity
.
    She glanced around the store. Christmas was only a few days away, and most of the toys had been picked over. Most that were left needed repair. She’d been too busy with customers to get more mending done. She was also behind on the book work and wanted to finish that before the week was out. It was time to get busy and quit thinking about Dan.
    Since there were no customers at the moment, Bev decided to start with the book work. She seated herself at the desk, opened the drawer, and reached for the ledger, prepared to record the previous day’s receipts.
    Near the back of the drawer, she discovered a folded slip of paper. Funny, she’d never noticed it before. Curious, she unfolded the paper and silently read the words.
    One thing I have learned since I was diagnosed with leukemia is not to worry about things I can’t change. Every day God gives me is like a special gift, and I am putting my trust in Him. I’ve also learned to accept help whenever it’s offered. I used to be too proud to ask for assistance, thinking I could do everything in my own strength. But since I became sick, I have no choice except to rely on others. Dan has been especially helpful, often setting his own needs aside for mine. I know he would rather be in his photography studio than at the toy store, yet he works here without complaint
.
    Bev blinked away tears. Dan’s late wife had obviously written the note before she’d become too ill to be at the store, but for whom was it intended? Perhaps it was a letter to a friend or family member and Darcy had forgotten to mail it.
    The poor woman had been through more than Bev could imagine, yet Bev realized Darcy had kept a positive, thankful attitude despite her ill health. She’d learned not to worry and had been willing to accept help, two areas in which Bev often struggled.
    She realized, too, that Dan had only been trying to help when he’d given money toward her rent and purchased the tree and wreath. Even so, she didn’t want to feel beholden to a man who only saw her as his employee—a man who was still in love with his wife and might never be ready for a relationship with another woman. Too bad she hadn’t been able to keep from falling in love with him.

    Dan stared at Darcy’s Bible lying on his desk. He’d discovered it in the bottom drawer of their dresser this morning and felt compelled to bring it to work with him. Maybe it was because Christmas was fast approaching and he needed the comfort of having something near that belonged to his wife. This was Darcy’s favorite time of the year, and every Christmas carol he heard on the radio, every decorated tree he saw in a window, and each Christmas shopper who came into the toy store reminded him of her.
    Dan leaned forward and closed his eyes.
Help me, Lord. Help me not to forget my sweet Darcy
.
    He had been fighting his attraction to Bev ever since she came into the store looking for a doll for her daughter, yet he hadn’t succumbed to the temptation of telling her how he felt. He couldn’t. It