Finders Keepers by Catherine Palmer

Author:Catherine Palmer
Language: eng
Format: mobi, epub
Tags: ebook
ISBN: 9781414368931
Publisher: Tyndale House Publishers, Inc.
Published: 2011-09-26T22:00:00+00:00

TEN

Elizabeth lifted the old black Bible and gave the counter a squirt of glass cleaner. As she wiped away the dust, she peered down at her own reflection. How could it be that she was still so young and vibrant—when Montgomery’s mother had only a week or two to live? Just this morning, the news had passed through town like wildfire. They were bringing Ellie Easton home to die.

Laying the Bible on the counter, Elizabeth stroked the warm, comforting leather. She had lost both her parents when she was almost the same age as Montgomery. Elizabeth’s grandmother had taken the orphan into her home and had done her best to fill the empty spaces in the lonely child’s heart. Montgomery would still have a father, but who would do all the ‘mommy’ things for the little girl? Who would braid her long red hair? Who would kiss her scraped knees? Who would listen as she poured out the joys and sorrows of a first love?

You can do that, Elizabeth.

The words caught her full force in the stomach and filled her heart with conviction. It was true. Montgomery already loved and trusted Elizabeth. Nick’s mom provided a safe place to play, lots of yummy snacks, and guidance when things went awry. Elizabeth could help Montgomery adjust to the changes in her young life. And though it might sap the last of her emotional reserves, she would.

Elizabeth let out a sigh as she turned her feather duster to the tea set in her window. She could see Pearlene out sweeping the sidewalks for the third time that day. It was almost closing time, and Pearlene would be expecting a visit from Elizabeth. After all, manners in Ambleside dictated a follow-up thank-you call or visit the day after a lovely dinner party.

No doubt Pearlene would have realized by now the hopelessness of her quest to marry off her neighbor to the new architect in town. Their opposing views on the mansion were clear, and Elizabeth’s gaffe the night before had certainly put a strain on even a comfortable friendship with Zachary.

How could she have been so blunt about that church in Jefferson City? On the other hand, how could Zachary have designed such a monstrosity? The building annoyed her every time she drove past it. It was ugly and out of place in the historic capital’s downtown. But did she have to lambaste it right in front of Zachary? He’d probably never speak to her again.

The thought of losing his presence in her life sent a curl of sadness through Elizabeth. She could recall how often she had wished that Zachary Chalmers had never moved to Ambleside. Now the possibility of never again looking deeply into those gray green eyes left a void she was unprepared to fill. In spite of their verbal jousting—or perhaps because of it—she had come to enjoy Zachary’s company. She liked the way he took Nick under his wing. He was intelligent, hardworking, and—despite that one hideous church—talented in his profession.

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