A Place to Call Home by Kathryn Springer

Author:Kathryn Springer [Springer, Kathryn]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: Fiction, Romance, General, Religious
ISBN: 9781426850561
Google: 8JPVfKPB_KMC
Amazon: B002WEPCXM
Publisher: Steeple Hill
Published: 2010-02-28T16:00:00+00:00

It took all of Abby’s willpower to stay inside the lodge and not find a chore to do outside. Other than delivering cold drinks to her work crew, who’d set to work painting the boathouse shortly after their arrival, she’d spent the afternoon in the library.

She planned to turn it into a gathering room, where guests could play board games in the evening or settle into the comfortable chairs with a good book.

Like the other rooms, it boasted a fieldstone fireplace with a raised hearth. A perfect place either to invite conversation or encourage solitude….

Beethoven’s Symphony No. 5 suddenly broke through her musings.

Abby would never feel the same way about classical music again.

“Hi, Alex.”

“Change your mind yet?”

“No. Have you?”

It had become their standard greeting over the past few days.

The amusement in Alex’s voice, rather than disapproval, gave Abby hope that he was starting to accept her decision.

Abby wasn’t sure why, but she’d sensed a change in her brother over the past week. He hadn’t been quite as dogged in his attempt to convince her to return to Chicago.

Not that she was complaining. A change like that she could live with. Alex was the only family she had and they’d always been close. The tension between them hadn’t been easy to deal with.

“How are things going up there?”

“Great. This has been a productive week.” Thanks to Quinn.

“That’s good.”

“Okay, who are you and what have you done with my brother?”

Alex didn’t see the humor in the question. “I only have your best interests at heart.”

It was a familiar refrain. One Abby had never been able to argue with. Until now. “Maybe that’s part of the problem, Alex. Maybe it’s time you followed some of your own interests for a change. You put your life on hold in order to raise your kid sister. But your sister isn’t a kid anymore.”

She waited for a snappy comeback. There was a reason Alex had been appointed captain of the debate team in college.

“I’m doing what Mom and Dad would want me to do,” he finally said.

The hint of uncertainty in Alex’s voice tugged at her conscience.

“I know.” Abby couldn’t argue with that. From the time she was six years old, protecting Abigail Marie had become the Porter family’s personal cause. After their parents’ death, Alex had continued to carry the torch.

He had to be as tired of bearing that burden as she’d finally become of being the one responsible for it.

“Why don’t you come home for the weekend and we’ll talk about it.”

“I am home.”

“I miss you, Abby.”

“Now you’re inviting me to go on a guilt trip?”

“Is it working?”

She laughed. “You don’t give up, do you?”

“You know I don’t.”

The doorbell came to life, sending out a series of tinny, off-key notes that reminded Abby of a jack-in-the-box.

“I’ll call you back later, Alex. There’s someone at the door.”

“You’re going to answer the door?”

“Yes, Alex. I live here,” Abby explained patiently. “I’m the logical person to answer the door….” As she pulled it open, the rest of the words died on her lips.

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